WGES Global ATHENS 2026 (invited & confirmed)

Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou 

Greek Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Ocean -  Member of the Hellenic Parliament - Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection WGES Global NOVA AWARD RECIPIENT 2026 (confirmed)

Mr. Adonis Georgiadis

Minister of Health of Greece

 Dr. Marios Themistokleous (Nuerosurgeon)

Deputy Minister of Health, Greece 

Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou 

Minister of Digital Governance of Greece 

Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias 

Regional Governor of Attica   

Fromer Deputy Minister of National Defence, Greece.   He also served as the Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disaster response

Senator Antonio Salvatore Germana  

 Senator of the Italian Republic  

F1 Sustainability Strategy(or F1's Net Zero Carbon by 2030 plan) / Stefano Domenicali/Formula 1 Drivers

Under its leadership, Formula 1 has advanced a comprehensive sustainability transformation, including the organization’s commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2030, the introduction of 100% advanced sustainable fuels beginning in 2026, and the reported 26% reduction in carbon emissions since 2018. WGES Global NOVA AWARD RECIPIENT 2026 

Giancarlo Fisichella, professional racing driver, Formula One achieved three Grand Prix victories 

Luca Filippi, professional racing driver GP2 Series, IndyCar and Formula E. 

Maro Engel, professional racing driver,  Brand Ambassador for Mercedes AMG, recognized as one of the top GT3 drivers globally, wins include FIA GT World Cup, Suzuka 10h, Bathurst 12 Hour. Competes in the DTM,  raced in the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship      

Vitantonio "Tonio" Liuzzi, former professional racing driver, competed in Formula One from 2005 to 2011. He won the 2004 International Formula 3000 Championship, Liuzzi raced in 81 Formula One Grands Prix (with 80 starts), scoring 26 career championship points. 

Stefano Domenicali

President and CEO, Formula 1 (invited)

pushes for major environmental changes in the racing world. Under his watch, the sport aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. He champions the shift to 100% sustainable fuels starting in the 2026 engine rules.  “We are committed to making Formula 1 more sustainable and increasing diversity and opportunity across this incredible sport.” 

Mario Di Natale, Founder Nazionale Piloti  In 1979, Di Natale conceptualized the idea of creating a soccer team entirely composed of professional racing drivers. With the critical support of Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese.  The organization brings together motorsport athletes (including legendary Formula 1 racing drivers to compete in high-profile charity football matches.  Under his visionary leadership, the organization mobilized €15 million in funding, bridging the gap between critical sustainable public health research and the needs of underserved communities globally. WGES Global NOVA AWARD RECIPIENT 2026

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will be recognized for its international leadership in environmental protection and its work addressing climate change, biodiversity and protection of the world's oceans.

Established by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Foundation supports environmental initiatives around the world and has become an influential international voice for conservation, sustainable development and the protection of the planet for future generations.  The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has granted over €101 million to more than 750 projects globally since its establishment in 2006 

WGES Global NOVA AWARD RECIPIENT 2026

 Louis Robert Paul Ducruet (invited) is a member of Monaco’s Princely Family and the son of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet. He is the grandson of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco (Grace Kelly) and the nephew of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. Educated in France and the United States, he earned a degree in Sports Management from Western Carolina University and has built an international career spanning sports management, business and international projects, including professional roles with AS Monaco and Nottingham Forest. His public activities have also included charitable initiatives, including participation in the 4L Trophy humanitarian rally supporting educational assistance for children in Morocco. 

Angelina Alexon | Special Musical Performance  is a Greek-American international pop singer, songwriter and performer known for her extraordinary five-octave soprano range and ability to perform in eight languages. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Alexon has performed internationally and on prominent U.S. stages, including the Las Vegas Strip and the U.S. Capitol, and gained worldwide attention through viral performances viewed by millions across social media.

Angelina Alexon will provide a special musical performance at the WGES Global NOVA Awards in Athens, bringing her Greek heritage and international artistry to an evening honoring distinguished leaders and organizations advancing sustainability, innovation and global collaboration. 

Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts

The Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts is a world-class, family-owned luxury hospitality group founded in Mykonos in 1979 by George and Elefteria Daktylides and today carried forward by their sons, the Daktylides brothers. The family has built an internationally distinguished collection of luxury hotels and resorts while remaining deeply committed to Mykonos and its people, including supporting development of a school and medical clinic.

Across its properties, the Myconian Collection combines exceptional luxury with sustainable hospitality and responsible tourism, incorporating renewable energy, water conservation, waste reduction, local sourcing and protection of the island’s natural environment. The Daktylides family demonstrates that world-class luxury, environmental stewardship, community service and long-term economic sustainability can successfully advance together.

WGES Global NOVA AWARD RECIPIENT 2026

WGES Global  NOVA AWARDS 

Host and Master of CEREMONIES
Distinguished Greek Journalist

to be announced

Ms. Daisy Gallagher, AMSc, CPM, CCHT

Founder & CEO GGW, Inc.  

CPM CPI Executive Officer  

Sustainability, Public Health & Economic Deployment Global Strategist 

 WGES Global™ Organizing Team Lead - U.S./ Greece - Co-Host WGES NOVA Awards 

Join All of Us - October 7, 2026 

The ™ NOVA Award is one of the WGES Global Symposium’s highest distinctions, presented to leaders, institutions, governments, and organizations whose work demonstrates measurable, real-world impact in advancing sustainability, public health, energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and public-private collaboration. 

Dr. Kostas Mastorakis, DVM
Vice President, Nazionale Piloti (Official Formula 1 Drivers' Team Foundation) | Executive Safe-Drive.org | International Relations| WGES Global™ Athens Ambassador of Greece Organizing Committee | WGES Global Nova Awards Athens Co-Host

 Mr. Kevin Kampschroer 

Chief Sustainability Officer, GSA

Head Federal High Performance Buildings (Ret.) 50+ Years of Service 

U. S. General Services Administration (confirmed 2026 Keynote Speaker)

Sabine O’Hara, PhD

 Distinguished Professor & Founding Dean College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences

University of the District of Columbia (confirmed 2026 Keynote Speaker)  

 Vince Ambrosia 

Global expert Earth Observation Wildland Fire science,  Recipient NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal  Adjunct Faculty, Environmental Sciences College of Science CSU, Senior Scientist NASA Research Center (43 years – Ret’d),

(confirmed 2026 keynote speaker)

Barbara Ryan
Global Authority in Earth Observation & Geospatial Intelligence

Former Executive Director, World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC)

Jane Goodall Institute Advisory Board

(confirmed 2026)

Steve Ambrose

Renowned Climate Scientist, served as, Program Executive for Disasters at NASA HQ, Physical Scientist NOAA, Chief Climate Scientist SAIC, elected one of Top 25 Sustainability Consultants & Leaders 

         Kinga Hydras 

CEM, CSDP, ASHRAE Fellow 

Former Deputy Director Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings 

Director Federal Programs

NORESCO  (confirmed 2026 keynote speaker)  

Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH

Leading Expert in Public Health Innovation, AI & Population Health Systems - WGES Global 2026 NOVA Award Recipient  (confirmed 2026 Keynote Speaker)

Virginia Gibson

U. S. Navy League President and Merchant Marine Council - Renewable energy and water treatment industry  over 20 years of experience (confirmed 2026)

Reginald Swift, Ph.D.

Chief Scientist 

TheraSyn Bio, Inc. (confirmed 2026)

Elpida Pavi (DDS, MPH, PhD)

Professor & Dean of School of Public Health

Laboratory for Health Technology   Assessment-LabHTA

School of Public Health

University of West Attica, Greece (confirmed 2026)

      Georgios J. Zakynthinos. (MsC,PhD) Professor Lab of Safety, Technology, and Development of Functional Foods & Health-protective Products in Public Health
  School Of Public Health
 University Of West Attica|
WGES Global™ Athens Greece Organizing Committee|
 

Prof. Yiannis Koumpouros

Director of Digital Innovation in Public Health   Research Lab – DigInHealth

Director of MSc "Applied Innovation and Digital   Technologies in Public Health"

University of West Attica, Greece (confirmed 2026)