Our Team

Dr. Elissavet Lykogianni
Founding Partner & Managing Director

Elissavet Lykogianni, PhD, is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Connectus. Elissavet has extensive expertise in the policy domains of Research & Innovation, Digital market and Employment, Skills, Migration, Education and Social affairs. With her research background (PhD in Applied Economics), she has led numerous projects involving large, multi-disciplinary and international research teams of Universities and Research institutes and possesses a very strong network of researchers in the academic sector in Europe. 

During the past 15 years she has built considerable expertise in the coordination of policy-related studies and the management of international consortia for a variety of (framework) contracts for DG Research, DG Education, DG Competition, Cedefop, DG Connect, among other, such as the EC Multiple Framework Service Contract for Expert Support with the Production and Analysis of R&D Policy Indicators, Horizon projects and Grants in the areas of Migration and Inclusion, as well as studies in the areas of Employment, Education and Skills, Cultural Heritage, Digital policies, R&D and Innovation policies. 

Elissavet speaks fluently English, Dutch and Greek and understand French at intermediate level.

Mina Giannouli
Project Manager

Mina is a dedicated social worker with a strong background in supporting vulnerable populationsWith a background in Social Sciences, she has worked across Paris, Dakar, and Athens, blending her expertise in non-formal education with hands-on experience in supporting refugees and migrants. Mina is passionate about creating inclusive environments through workshops of intercultural mediation and projects that empower communities.When she’s not helping humans navigate migration paths, you might find her studying the migration routes of whales—because whether on land or sea, Mina is fascinated by journeys across borders! 

Anna Riga
Assistant Project Manager

Anna Riga is an experienced special education teacher with a decade of dedication to empowering students with diverse learning needs. Her expertise in developing inclusive educational strategies has made a significant impact on the lives of many young learners. She holds her Batchelor degree in Linguistics from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and her Master degree in ICTs in Special Education from Dimocritus University of Thrace and the scientific research centre Demokritus. She has attended psychological and educational trainings. Anna speaks Greek as a mother language, English, German and understands French. Driven by a passion for creating equitable learning environments, she recently transitioned into a project management role within the European Union’s educational programs. In her new position, she is leveraging her in-depth knowledge of education and her strong organizational skills to oversee initiatives that promote inclusive education across Europe. Anna is committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their abilities, has access to quality education tailored to their unique needs.

Choco
Office Dog

Meet Choco our favorite dog! He is very loving, friendly, cuddly, and loves long walks!