Our People

Our Trustees

DAVID SALISBURY JONES (CHAIR)

David recently retired after 35 years of practice in his South London Veterinary Surgery. Dogs and cats were the main patients, but also rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and most other small animals.

David served as a Local Government Councillor in Lambeth and a school governor in Streatham. Heshas three children and two cats. David became the Animal Action Greece Chair of Trustees in 2021 after seven years as a trustee. “I’m grateful and proud that we are able to do so much for animals in Greece, working in close partnership with many organisations of all sizes in Greece and the UK.”

Jon Rosén Bennett

Jon is a passionate animal advocate and has dedicated his life to improving the lives of animals around the world. After a light bulb moment, Jon left behind his career in music events and venue operations the best part of a decade ago, and has since worked with animal protection NGO’s across Europe and Southeast Asia. He now leads on international animal protection programmes at FOUR PAWS International. Despite being a certified cat lover, Jon advocates for treating all animals equally and has a particular affinity towards pigeons.

Jada De Marchi-Taylor

Jada has been involved with Animal Action Greece since 2018 – starting as a summer job between sixth form and university to working as book-keeper and office manager for the London office, to now being a member of the Board of Trustees. She has had a lifelong passion for animal welfare which started at the age of 5 with her pet fish, Goldie. Now working as a resident doctor in the NHS, she is still as determined to improve the lives of our furry friends and end animal suffering in Greece.

MARIA MARINOS

Maria’s professional background is in financial reporting, editing and Public Relations for major institutes both in the UK and in Hong Kong, however in more recent years she co-founded the London based interior design studio, Marlo.

Maria was brought up in Essex surrounded by both horses and dogs and she is the proud owner of Leo, whom she rescued from a life on the streets of a Greek Island.

ANNA STAMATIOU

Anna was born to Greek parents and in 2007, having lived most of her life in London, she moved to Greece and now lives in central Athens. Her interest in animals and the environment led her to become a founder-member of Chios Nature – a group dedicated to the wildlife of Chios, the Aegean island that her family is originally from. Anna is also a Board Member of MEDASSET (working for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean). She contributes principally to the communication and awareness work of the organisations she supports, and particularly enjoys devising innovative educational programmes and games for young people. She has shared her life with her husband, Andreas, two sons, grandchildren and English bull terriers.

PAUL MCGLONE (TREASURER)

Paul has a life-long love of Greece and animals, having been charmed in his youth by reading Gerald Durrell’s ‘My Family and Other Animals’ trilogy. He also cemented this love as one of a group of 10 fellow Tasmanians he was on a canoeing expedition with around the Greek islands. Fast forward to the present, this role allows him to pursue both passions – animal welfare and Greece!

Paul has led the charity since March 2018 through a period of rapid change, including during the pandemic. From July 2020 he has carried out a dual role as the Treasurer of Animal Action Greece in the UK and President of our civil non-profit company in Greece, Animal Action Hellas AMKE.

OUR STAFF

NATASHA SAMPSON (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)

Natasha is a passionate leader with a background in operations management, nonprofit leadership, and international development. Natasha is known for her ability to build high performing teams, streamline processes, and drive impactful change on a global scale. Her career reflects a commitment to making meaningful, sustainable impacts and empowering others to reach their full potential. A devoted animal lover, Natasha finds inspiration at home with her three energetic and lovable dogs, who fuel her passion for advocating for animal welfare.

SOPHIA KYRIAKOPOULOU (OPERATIONS & FINANCE MANAGER)

Sophia joined Animal Action Greece in 2017, and is responsible for the management of our operational animal services. She holds a BA in Communication and Media as well as an MA in Conflict and Communication from the University of Athens.

Sophia is passionate about animal welfare and in her spare time she fosters stray kittens. She loves to travel but not as much as she loves cats and dogs. Her spoiled adopted cat Yaya and her two dogs Gus and Kika can confirm this.

SERAFINA AVRAMIDOU (ANIMAL WELFARE MANAGER)

Serafina holds a BSc in Marketing Management from Deree College and a MBA in Marketing Communications from New York Institute of Technology.

After many years of professional experience in multi-national businesses, she decided to dedicate her life to what she loves most – helping animals. She has been a volunteer in animal welfare for almost 20 years, and now oversees our animal welfare programmes as well as being voted Deputy Mayor responsible for companion animals in the Municipality of Athens. She lives in Athens with her three rescue dogs – Claire, Mickey and Masticha.

SONIA Coventry (Head of Finances AND uk Operations)

Sonia has a background in School Business Management and Public Rights of Way and has experience working in the non-profit sector working in both international development and wildlife and countryside organisations.

Sonia has a long-standing passion for animals and their welfare, having grown up in an animal obsessed family. Sonia lives in Kent with 2 rescue dogs and a human family. In her spare time Sonia enjoys swimming in a nearby lake.

Sofia Levanti (Operations Assistant)

Sofia grew up in Athens and then headed to the UK for her studies. She holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Sussex and an MA in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response from the University of Manchester. With experience in project management and daily operations, Sofia’s all about making a positive impact on society and the environment. Outside of work, Sofia and her two rescued dogs, Cairo and Rio, are busy scouting out Greece’s best dog-friendly spots – because why should humans have all the fun?

Our Equine team

ELISA GESKOU (VETERINARIAN, DVM, MRCVS & EQUINE CARE PROGRAMME COORDINATOR)

Elisa Geskou is a veterinary surgeon (DVM, MRCVS), with equine welfare being her focus. She is our Equine Project Coordinator, as well as an Equine Team Leader.

Her relationship with Animal Action Greece began in 2003, not long after graduating from the University of Thessaloniki, when she applied for a scholarship in equine medicine. Her 12 year old horse, Floga, suffered from serious chronic laminitis and at risk of being euthanised, Elisa met Janet Eley, DVM and her recently set up UK Equine Project Team in her first outreach in Leros; it was the Team’s veterinary and farriery expertise, in combination with Elisa’s devotion, that saved Floga who had a healthy, happy life free of pain until the age of 27.

KOSTAS OKKAS (VETERINARY SURGEON, DVM)

Kostas is a veterinary surgeon with considerable experience in the equine field. As well as being one of our Equine Team Leaders, he has been working at the Stud Farm in Lazarina for more than 15 years, therefore his speciality is in equine obstetrics. He joined our Equine Team because of his interest in helping working equines in need.

ALKIS GKESKOS (DENTAL TECHNICIAN)

Alkis is an Equine Dental Technician and a professional wildlife biologist (MSc, PhD) specialising in hoofed mammals. After having trained for two years supervised by a veterinary expert and equine dentist, he gained his EDT accreditation in 2016. Since then, he has been a welcome member of our Equine Care Team.

TASOS SKYLLAS (FARRIER)

Tasos has been a professional farrier for the last 10 years. In 2010, he went to Arizona to study in the American Horseshoeing school of Tucson. Since 2019 we have been working together on our Equine Care Team.

PAROS AND ANTIPAROS PROJECT TEAM

FLORA TSILAGA (Community Cat Care Project Coordinator)

Flora holds a PhD in Modern History from King’s College London and has a diverse professional background spanning tourism and academia. A proud native of Antiparos, she lives in the gem of the Cyclades, where her deep love for animals led her to co-found Cats of Antiparos. In 2023, she brought her passion and hands-on experience in animal welfare to Animal Action Greece, eager to help drive meaningful change. With a strong commitment to the cause, she looks forward to the incredible work ahead – ensuring a brighter future for animals across Greece.

ELENI Michalodimitraki (Cat Counting & Monitoring Lead)

Eleni holds a diploma and a master’s degree in engineering and serves on the board of the Animal Welfare Group of Argyroupoli, Attica. After years in the corporate sector, she decided to leave her old life behind, move away from Athens to Paros, and dedicate herself fully to her true passion—helping stray cats. Having spent years rescuing and caring for strays, she saw Animal Action Greece as the vessel to make a real impact. Now, through her work in mapping and monitoring free-roaming cats, she strives not only to help individual animals but also to drive meaningful change in Greece’s approach to stray cat welfare.

ISA BORST (Communications, Engagement AND Education Lead)

Isa transitioned from Brazil’s vibrant arts scene to Berlin’s dynamic startup environment and ultimately found her calling on the idyllic island of Paros. What started with feeding stray cats from empty hummus containers evolved into The Cataloger, her initiative that uses social media to advocate for stray cat welfare. At Animal Action Greece, she combines her digital strategy skills with a deep-seated passion for animal welfare. Surrounded by her eclectic animal family of one German cat, one Polish dog, three Greek cats, and numerous strays, Isa’s story, which was even featured in the best-selling book Cats of the World, illustrates a life dedicated to meaningful change.

Martina Guerra (Community Cat Care Project Assistant)

A familiar face to many on Paros, Martina has been dedicated to helping the island’s cats for several years. As our Community Cat Care Project Assistant—and the founder of her own local rescue—she’s constantly on the move: lending equipment, supporting volunteers, and ensuring cats get the neutering and care they need.