Dimitra Kalantoni
Founder & President, Exelixi Zois | Founder, Octopus Events
Dimitra Kalantoni is a socially driven entrepreneur with a diverse professional background in hotel management, the automotive industry, commercial operations, and event organization. She holds an Executive MBA from ALBA Graduate Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from MODUL University in Vienna. Motivated by a deep sense of social responsibility, she envisioned and founded Exelixi Zois in 2018—a pioneering nonprofit organization transforming the landscape of child protection in Greece.
With a founding grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and by mobilizing the ESG strategies of numerous corporations, Dimitra developed an innovative support model for young adults aging out of institutional care. The organization provides tailored support in housing, employment, mental health, life skills, and career development, helping hundreds of young people build lives of autonomy and dignity.
Her work goes far beyond philanthropy—challenging entrenched narratives, advocating for systemic change, and forging a path toward sustainable social impact. In 2023, she also founded Octopus Events IKE, continuing her mission through the organization of high-level events with a strong social footprint.
More: www.exelixizois.org, www.octopusevents.gr
