It’s official. Our very own CEO and Founder of Starttech Ventures Dimitris Tsingos is now a member of the Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF). In other words, he’s a Marshall Memorial Fellow.
The Marshall Memorial Fellow
Dimitris recently completed a 25-day visit to the United States to conclude the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship from the German Marshall Fund (GMF). He is among 68 other emerging European business and political leaders who were selected.
Over the course of the trip, our fearless leader and other Fellows met with government officials, policymakers, academics, think tank leaders, business representatives, and civil society advocates. The aim? To gain a better understanding of transatlantic and domestic issues through local, regional, and national perspectives.
Marshall Memorial Fellowship: an amazing journey
Dimitris co-founded Greece’s first student startup in 2000 (Virtual Trip). He is behind 10 spin-off tech startups launched between 2003 and today.
“This has been an amazing journey, a simply outstanding experience that I have shared with another 18 prominent fellow Europeans,” he said.
“It has really helped me to understand deeply how the United States works and how we can build better relationships from Europe.”
He adds: “It’s an honor to receive this fellowship in what is the 70th anniversary year of the Marshall Plan.”
Watch Dimitris’ summary of his experience as a Marshall Memorial Fellow here:
What is the Marshall Memorial Fellowship?
The Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF) is, in essence, the GMF’s flagship leadership development program. Created in 1982 to introduce a new generation of European leaders to the United States. It awards the best and brightest from all sectors. Including business, government, and civil society.
Selected fellows engage in 6 months of preparation, designed to enhance their understanding of transatlantic relations. Right before embarking on 25 days of policy immersion across the Atlantic.
What is the MMF today?
These days, the MMF alumni network numbers almost 2,500 leaders.
GMF selects fellows from all 50 U.S. States and across 39 European countries. These fellows join a network that includes notable alumni. Including Emmanuel Macron, (MMF’06) President of France and Federica Mogherini (MMF 2007, Italy), EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Also, Bertrand Badre (MMF 1998, France), Managing Director and World Bank Group CFO at the World Bank. And Annie Maxwell (MMF 2007, United States), President of the Skoll Foundation.
The GMF in brief
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization. Founded in 1972 through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance. Its goal is the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities.
The organization is based on the principles of the Marshall Plan. An American initiative to aid Western Europe. As part of a special package, the United States gave over $13 billion in economic support. That’s to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II.
Transatlantic exchange
GMF contributes research and analysis and convenes leaders on transatlantic issues relevant to policymakers. Therefore, GMF offers rising leaders opportunities to develop their skills and networks through transatlantic exchange.
It also supports civil society in the Balkans and Black Sea regions. By fostering democratic initiatives, rule of law, and regional cooperation.
In addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC, GMF has offices in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Ankara, Bucharest, and Warsaw. GMF also has smaller representations in Bratislava, Turin, and Stockholm.
*If you’d like to support the work of the GMF movement and the Marshall Memorial Fellowship, you can donate here.
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