The new President of MedCruise is the Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Strategic Communications at the Port of Thessaloniki. The General Assembly also appointed the next Board of Directors, including Anne-Marie Spinosi from Corsica Ports as the Senior Vice President, and Laura Cimaglia from the Port of Taranto as the Vice President.
During the 65th MedCruise General Assembly held in Malaga, Spain, and within the framework of Seatrade Cruise Med 2024, Theodora Riga was elected as the President of MedCruise.
“I firmly believe in the value of collective action, or as we say in Greek “it is in unity, we stand strong” declared Ms. Riga. “With a vision to continue the work we have done so well, we are going to upgrade our activities and achieve even more, together, while ensuring the responsible development of cruising and benefiting all Mediterranean ports and destinations. Through the collective actions of our members and synergies with other associations and institutions (UNTWO, ESPO, AIVP, CLIA, IAPH, etc.) we partner to maximize the economic, environmental and socially sustainable development of ports, destinations and all stakeholders in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas.”
In addition to electing its new President, MedCruise also announced the new Board of Directors (BoD) for the term 2024-2027. The elected members are:
Anne-Marie Spinosi, elected as Senior Vice President (Corsica Ports, France), Laura Cimaglia elected as Vice President (Port of Taranto, Italy), Valeria Mangiarotti (Sardinian Ports, Italy), Cristina De Gregori (Port of Genoa/Savona, Italy), Luz Marina Espiau Moreno (Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain), Joško Šupe (Port of Šibenik Authority, Croatia), Dario Barbarić (Dubrovnik Port Authority, Croatia), Maria Belkoleva (Port of Burgas, Bulgaria), Lorenzo Vera Franco (Port Authority of Motril, Spain), Genoveva Climent (Port Authority of Tarragona, Spain), Figen Ayan (Galataport Istanbul, Türkiye), Kyriaki Kampana (Heraklion Port Authority, Greece), Gilson Cruz (Ports of Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde) and Angelos Vlachos (Kavala Port Authority, Greece).
Theodora Riga succeeds Figen Ayan, Chief Officer at Galataport Istanbul, who will continue her involvement with the Association as Honorary President and elected Board of Directors member.
Born in 1973 in the USA, Theodora Riga holds an MBA in Business Administration and has held senior managerial positions in port, shipping and financial services companies over the last 20 years. Ms. Riga is a member of the National Cruise Committee and a Board Member of a shipping company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, as Commercial Director and as Management Consultant on Strategic Development, Sales, Marketing and Communication in the largest shipping companies in Greece, providing communication support to the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies.
Theodora Riga is also a Member of the Board of Directors of Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping Representative on the Hellenic Government’s National Cruise Committee.
