About Us
OUR STORY
The Argosaronic Environment Foundation (AEF) was founded in 2021 aiming to advance the protection and recovery of the Argosaronic exceptional marine and terrestrial ecosystems through the encouragement and support of sustainable locally based conservation initiatives.
We strive to create a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural world.
The first two years of activity primarily focused on fostering sustainability initiatives for the islands and mainland coastline of the Argolic Gulf. Today, our geographic reach has extended to also include the Saronic gulf and broaden our impact.
By protecting and growing the natural capital of this special corner of Greece, we will help ensure health, abundance and resilience for its natural and human communities.
Our people
A Steering Committee (SC), composed of founding and actively involved donors, directs the strategy. They analyse and approve grants and use their personal networks to broaden the base of supporters. The SC members have a wide array of backgrounds and interests, but all share a passion for protecting the Argosaronic’s outstanding natural beauty.
Our local team consists of one person as the local Executive Director in charge of day-to-day management and coordination work on the ground, assisted by advisors and the SC.
LOCAL TEAM
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Daphne Mantziou
Executive Director
Daphne joined AEF in March 2024 as Executive Director, motivated by the opportunity to expand the Foundation’s impact across the Argosaronic region.
With over 20 years of hands-on experience in nature conservation and sustainable development across the nonprofit and corporate sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise in strategic leadership and network building. Throughout her career, Daphne has led projects and cross-border partnerships that have delivered measurable environmental and social impacts, including the transformation of the island of Tilos into a zero-waste community. Her interdisciplinary background in environmental and business studies has supported her mission to drive positive local change across Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Dedicated to driving meaningful impact, Daphne is excited to be fostering grassroots action, encouraging partnerships and connecting passionate people with community-led initiatives in the Argosaronic.
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Theodore Mourtis
Communications & Operations
Thodoris is the new Argosaronic Environmental Foundation (AEF) member, focusing on Operations & Communications, starting from October 2024.
With 20 years of marketing experience spanning branding, event management, digital strategies, and web development, he combines professional expertise with a deep passion for community work. In his 20s, Thodoris volunteered in “learning through play” programs for children, igniting his commitment to community engagement. By his 30s, he turned his attention to environmental issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. For the past six years, he has led a volunteer group exploring creative communication tools to drive environmental awareness and action.
Thodoris is a firm believer in the transformative power of community-driven solutions.
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CHAIRPERSON
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Nancy Burrell
Chairperson
In her third year as a DPhil candidate in biology at the University of Oxford, Nancy Burrell explores the carbon storage potential within rewilding ecosystems. She is driven by a desire to reveal the societal benefits of rewilding, focusing on natural capital and the various ecosystem services these natural processes can provide. Nancy’s deep-seated fascination with rewilding as a conservation strategy began in her childhood, spent at Knepp. This interest evolved into a conviction that nature holds powerful solutions to current global issues, including climate change, soil degradation, and human health.
Before starting her doctoral research, Nancy achieved an MSci in Marine Biology from the University of Southampton in 2018. Her master’s project took her to the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) and Bergen University, investigating the influence of megafauna on post-glacial landscapes.
In addition to her ongoing research at Oxford, Nancy is an avid scuba diver and has served as a divemaster on research expeditions across the globe – notably in Cuba, Honduras, and Costa Rica. These experiences have deepened her appreciation for fully functioning, dynamic ecosystems and the ways biodiversity contributes to ecosystem function and resilience. Above all, her global explorations have reinforced the importance of observing nature with a sense of humility.
HOW WE WORK
We stimulate the preservation of the Argosaronic natural resources through fundraising and channeling of funds to locally based conservation initiatives.
We collaborate with an array of allies and stakeholders, such as grassroots groups, civil associations, non-profits, local authorities and strategic partners at multiple levels, building alliances and coalitions.
- We reach out to businesses and philanthropists to raise funds for the support of local environmental action
- We identify sustainable conservation initiatives and grassroots projects and support them financially and practically to scale their impact l
- We empower local partners through the provision of expertise, resources, capacity building and connections
- We seek to build local coalitions and broader networks
- We support businesses and consumers to act more sustainably
- We showcase the achievements of community-based initiatives to attract additional sources of environmental funding
We strongly believe that supporting community sustainability practices can make a positive impact and bring about long-lasting systemic change.
Join us in our commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for the Argosaronic region and beyond.