Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou

Bio

Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou is joint CEO of TOTOTHEO GLOBAL, a leading global service provider specializing in innovative solutions in maritime satellite communications, digitalization, automation, and navigation systems. She has over 18 years of experience within the maritime satellite communications industry.

A well-known figure within Cyprus’s economic landscape, Despina holds board positions in influential organizations such as the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation, and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Despina served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and as the Vice President of the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company Cyprus from 2021 until 2024.

Her contributions extend internationally, as she was elected to the General Committee of the Association of SA and Limited Companies in Greece in July 2020, where she leads its Shipping Sector committee. Additionally, she served as President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International) from October 2017 to October 2022, and she was instrumental to WISTA’s success in receiving consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2018. In late 2023 she was announced as the recipient of the first ever IMO Gender Equality Award, recognizing her remarkable achievements concerning gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

Acknowledged by leading international shipping publication Lloyd’s List as one of the Top 100 Most Influential people in shipping for six consecutive years from 2017 to 2022, she also received the prestigious title of “International Personality of the Year” at the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards in 2019.

Despina is a frequent speaker at space mobility, shipping, and energy events, sharing her expertise and insights from her extensive involvement across these sectors. Her contributions underscore her commitment to advancing discussions and shaping the future of these interconnected industries.

She holds degrees from the National and Capodistrian University of Athens, the Copenhagen Business School, and the University of Oxford.