CYPRUS: Head of WISTA wins “Who’s Who Woman Leader in Shipping” award

Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, dynamic CEO of Cyprus-based Tototheo Maritime communication company and head of WISTA International of professional women in shipping, has won the distinction of Woman Leader in International Shipping at the WHO IS WHO International Awards.

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As chief executive of the family-owned Tototheo Maritime, the Limassol-based global supplier of technology and innovation support to shipowners and operators, Theodosiou has already been recognised for her contribution to the shipping sector, and in particular the Cyprus maritime cluster, by being elected president of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, WISTA, which already enjoys an enviable 150 members.

Receiving the award at a special ceremony in Athens, Theodosiou said: “This gives me great joy, as it relates to two of the most important roles of my professional career – as CEO of Tototheo Maritime and as president of WISTA International. Each with different challenges and priorities, but intertwining to the core of shipping, as it is shaped today, in its evolution into an innovative and sustainable business sector, offering equal opportunities.”

For the first time, The WHO IS WHO International Awards Women Leaders were hosted, in Greece at the Peristyle of the Zappeion Palace.

The aim of the awards is to endorse distinguished personalities in Greece, Cyprus and worldwide as well as to highlight the creativity, skills and ethics of Greeks. The winners are selected based on research conducted by the Who Is Who team.

The award was a sculpture created by Mary Papaconstantinou, which symbolises “Nike”, the ancient Greek goddess personifying victory, inspired by the marble Hellenistic sculpture, Winged Victory of Samothrace, also called the Nike of Samothrace, that is prominently displayed at the Louvre and is one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world.

Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou is also a board member of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, the Cyprus employers’ federation OEB and the Cyprus Maritime Academy.