My
JOURNEY

Short
BIOGRAPHY

I was born in New York and grew up in Athens and in the city of Ioannina (N.W. Greece). I studied in Europe (London School of Economics and Law School of Madrid) and the United States (Bryn Mawr College and Cornell Law School) and I have a BA in Economics and a J.D. in law with a specialization in international legal affairs.

I worked in the United States and in Australia as an attorney, specializing in international financial transactions and banking law; as an external expert for the European Commission, and as a manager in consulting companies in Brussels and Luxembourg. I was the Director of the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation, a non-profit organization based in N.W. Greece, which focused on sustainable development with the use of advance information technologies, and also for the Secretary General of the World Crafts Council (under the auspices of UNESCO).

I served as Deputy Mayor of the city of Ioannina, as an elected member of the Hellenic Parliament, as Party Spokesperson, and as Head of the Telecommunications & Media sector of the New Democracy party.

I speak Greek, English, French, and Spanish. I am the mother of a 20-year old boy.

MilestoneLife Events

1967

I was born in New York in 1967

My parents – Panayiotis and Jane Assimakopoulos – were still students when they married. My roots are from the town of Pylos in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. I have lived and worked in Greece, Europe and the United States.

1972

My family and the first years of my life in Greece

I spent the first years of my life in the municipality of Palaio Faliro, a district located on Athens’ southern coast. Τhen we moved with my family to the city of Ioannina, in Northwestern Greece, when my father was elected Professor of Nuclear Physics at the University of Ioannina.

1988

I studied Economics and Law in Europe and the United States

I studied in Europe (London School of Economics and Law School of Madrid) and the United States (Bryn Mawr College and Cornell Law School) and I have a BA in Economics and a J.D. in law with a specialization in international legal affairs.

1990-1995

My experience as a lawyer in New York

I worked in the United States and in Australia as an attorney, specializing in international financial transactions and banking law. I am still a member of the New York Bar Association.

1995

My return to Greece

On my return to Greece, I became Director of the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Northwestern Greece which focused on sustainable development with the use of advance information technologies. I held this position for over 15 years gaining significant experience in managing and implementing EU co-funded projects.

2000-2004

Secretary General of the World Crafts Council

We have implemented several projects in Europe, Asia and Latin America designed to promote Greek craftsmanship through advanced computer technologies.

2007

Elected Councillor by a margin of a single vote

In 2007, I was elected Councillor of the city of Ioannina by a margin of a single vote. During my term of office, I served as Deputy Mayor of the city, responsible for EU funding programmes, and as Spokesperson of the Municipal Authority. I owe my political course to this single vote, which taught me the importance and the responsibilities of representation.

1990-2012

External expert and reviewer of programmes and actions for the European Commission

Between 1997 and 2012, Ι worked as an external expert and reviewer of programmes and actions for the European Commission, and also as a manager in consulting companies in Brussels and Luxembourg.

2012

The first woman ever elected to the Hellenic Parliament from the constituency region of Ioannina

In 2012 I was elected a Member of the Hellenic Parliament on the New Democracy party ticket, and had the honour of being the first woman ever elected from the constituency region of Ioannina. The then Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras entrusted me with the position of Spokesperson for the New Democracy party.

2013

Spokesperson of the New Democracy party

In 2013, the then Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras entrusted me with the position of Spokesperson for the New Democracy party.

2013

Head of the Committee on Ideological Political Work at the 9th Congress of the New Democracy party

During the sessions of the 9th Congress of the party.

2015

Member of the Hellenic Parliament for the parliamentary constituency Athens B

In the legislative elections of January and September 2015, I decided to run a difficult campaign for a seat in the parliamentary constituency Athens B.

2016

Head of the Development and Competitiveness sector of the New Democracy party

After taking over the Development and Competitiveness sector of the party, I adopted a new model of organization and operation establishing regular meetings between the Working Group members and using new ways of communication and remote collaboration (e.g. sharing of responsibilities with others).

2016

Head of Digital Policy, Telecommunications & Media sector of the New Democracy party

We worked closely with a dynamic and highly trained team of volunteers starting in November 2016, while contributing to the drafting of the New Democracy party’s Digital Strategy and opposition rhetoric. We exercised severe criticism of the then Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media, Nikos Pappas, and made concrete proposals that the Syriza Government in power at the time consistently ignored.

2019

One vote can make a difference

Ιn May 2019, 225,211 Greek citizens honoured me with their vote and entrusted me to represent Greece as a Member of the European Parliament.

I started my personal journey in politics as a Member of the Municipal Council of the city of Ioannina in Northwestern Greece, elected by a margin of a single vote, and I will never forget my responsibilities towards each and every one of you.

In my capacity as Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA), I will fight to safeguard and promote Greece’s commercial interests and to help our country’s businesses become more competitive. As a member of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) I will work towards Greece’s timely and efficient transition to the digital age. In the Petitions Committee, I will support your rightful grievances and demands in matters related to the European Institutions.

Together, we will battle on for a Greece ever confident and proud!

2019

One vote can make a difference

Ιn May 2019, 225,211 Greek citizens honoured me with their vote and entrusted me to represent Greece as a Member of the European Parliament.

I started my personal journey in politics as a Member of the Municipal Council of the city of Ioannina in Northwestern Greece, elected by a margin of a single vote, and I will never forget my responsibilities towards each and every one of you.

In my capacity as Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA), I will fight to safeguard and promote Greece’s commercial interests and to help our country’s businesses become more competitive. As a member of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) I will work towards Greece’s timely and efficient transition to the digital age. In the Petitions Committee, I will support your rightful grievances and demands in matters related to the European Institutions.

Together, we will battle on for a Greece ever confident and proud!