Under the title “Roots & Wings” and focusing on Public Relations and Corporate Communication in Greece — from their early beginnings 75 years ago to their modern strategic role today and their evolution into the digital and AI era — the second capacities powered by CAPA (Corporate Affairs Professional Association) took place on Tuesday, November 5, at the OTE Group Headquarters.

The central theme of the event was the connection between the past and the future — the “roots” that laid the foundation of the profession and the “wings” that empower the new generation. Within this context, two iconic figures who played a decisive role in shaping the field of Public Relations in Greece were honoured: Lola Daifa, long-time Head of Public Relations at Olympiacos F.C., ANT1, and Star Channel, and Rita Malikouti, one of the pioneering professionals who shaped the practice of PR agencies in Greece.

In a discussion moderated by Vasilis Lolas, Vice President of CAPA, both honorees shared personal experiences from an era when public relations was built exclusively on personal contact, emphasising that trust and human relationships have always been the essence of the profession. CAPA named them Honorary Members of the Association in recognition of their invaluable contribution and pioneering role in the development of Public Relations in Greece.
The discussion continued with Dimitris Michalakis, Chief of Corporate Communications, Sustainability & Channel Productions at the OTE Group, and Panos Gavriil, Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Responsibility at OPAP, moderated by Eleni Sourani, Member of CAPA’s Board. Through an engaging exchange, they analysed the role of corporate communication in shaping strategy, preventing crises, and managing issues that directly affect corporate reputation and organisational integrity. It was emphasised that today’s communication professionals must possess a profound understanding of the business environment, the ability to assess risks and opportunities, and the adaptability necessary in highly volatile contexts.
This was followed by a discussion featuring Antigoni Lymperopoulou, CEO of HDBI S.A., and Roi Haikou, Member of CAPA’s Board, who emphasised corporate communication as a cornerstone of aligning culture and purpose within organisations.

The discussion addressed the importance of consistency between words and actions in leadership, the active management of trust between leadership and employees, and the way an organisation’s values are expressed daily through effective communication — not merely as a supportive function, but as a tool for shaping identity, behaviour, and resilience.

The event concluded with the participation of communication students, who, under the moderation of Christina Koutromanou, CAPA Member, posed questions to the audience about how to best prepare for a career in Corporate Affairs, highlighting the importance of intergenerational knowledge sharing and mentorship.

The second capacities powered by CAPA concluded with a shared understanding: that leveraging the experience of the past is the foundation for developing the future of the profession, with people always remaining at its core.
Sponsors: COSMOTE TELEKOM, Fysiko Aerio, Socialdoo, One Team. Media Sponsors: DailyFax, Direction Business Network, Business Today, Notice Content & Services.

About CAPA

The Corporate Affairs Professional Association (CAPA) was established in 2025 in response to the need for a strong and independent professional body representing Corporate Affairs and Strategic Communication professionals in Greece. To strengthen, institutionalise, and continuously evolve the role of Corporate Affairs professionals, CAPA aspires to become the official point of reference for knowledge, ethics, networking, development, and influence in the field in Greece.

For more information about CAPA: Ms. Roi Haikou – +30 6977560728, haikouroi@gmail.com