Dr. Zoe Giannopoulou Honored with the Digital Dispute Resolution Specialist (DDRS) Lifetime Achievement Award
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Dr. Zoe Giannopoulou has been awarded the prestigious DDRS Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural DDRS Graduation Ceremony, held on March 19, 2025, at Central Hall Westminster, London.
Dr. Zoe Giannopoulou is an Adjunct Professor at the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), where she teaches the course "Conflict Management and Resolution" within the MBA in Business Administration and the MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, under the Division of Business Studies. Additionally, Dr. Giannopoulou is a lecturer at ACT's Lifelong Learning Center, leading the Conflict and Negotiation seminar. Her role at ACT reflects her commitment to equipping future business leaders and psychologists with essential conflict resolution and negotiation skills rooted in real-world practice and academic excellence.
The award was presented by Mr. Rahim Shamji, CEO and Founder of ADR ODR International, acknowledging Dr. Giannopoulou's exceptional dedication to advancing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).
Dr. Giannopoulou has played a pioneering role in shaping the field of dispute resolution on an international level. With a distinguished career spanning decades, she has trained thousands of mediators and negotiators across Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, the UAE, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Brazil, and Kenya, leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of dispute resolution professionals.
As an active attorney and mediator, Dr. Giannopoulou holds an LLM and a PhD in European and Economic Law. She has significantly contributed to the field through her expertise in negotiation psychology, mediation training, and conflict resolution. She is a Certified Mediator and Trainer accredited by the Greek Ministry of Justice, specializing in Family, Property, and Workplace Disputes, as well as in School Bullying Mediation and Peer Mediation.
Beyond the classroom, her influence extends to the Greek Ministry of Justice, the National School of Judges, Bar Associations, and professional chambers. She serves as a Conciliator on the World Bank's Mediation Panel and as a Banking and Financial Dispute Mediator for the Hellenic Bank Association. Additionally, she is the Lead Trainer at the Thessaloniki Mediation Training Institute. Her international recognition as a leader in mediation is reflected in her consistent inclusion in the Who's Who Legal Mediation list.
In honor of her contributions, Mr. Rahim Shamji, CEO of ADR ODR International, highlighted Dr. Giannopoulou's unwavering dedication:
"Dr. Zoe Giannopoulou's impact on ADR and ODR is unparalleled. Her work has not only advanced the practice of dispute resolution but has also set a benchmark for excellence and innovation in the digital era. This award is a testament to her lifelong commitment to strengthening the global dispute resolution community."
