Maria was born and raised in Athens, GR. She is a graduate of Athens College and holds a bachelor degree in Business Administration and a Master in Marketing. Today, she owns and runs the GTP - DANAE Travel & Media Group, a company active in tourism and publishing since 1970. The group consists of three companies engaged in media and publishing, travel and tourism arrangements and airline representations. The network includes award winning online (www.gtp.gr) and print (Greek Travel Pages) tourism publications; quality journalism in the digital ecosystem (GTP Headlines); management and exploitation of big data for tourism; travel arrangements through its IATA accredited agency (danae.travel); and the representation of airlines (Danae Airlines GSA of KOREAN AIR in Greece since 1975).

Maria has a passion for active public involvement, which is reflected through her participation on sectorial boards and associations. She serves on the board of directors of SETE (Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises) and of INSETE (SETE Institute) and she is the Vice-President of SAAE (Hellenic Association of Airline Representatives). Maria has also served as a Board Member of ECTAA (European Travel Agents & Tour Operators Association), Vice-President of the Board of HATTA (Hellenic Tourism and Travel Agencies Association), member of the Supervisory Board and Public Relations Officer of FEDHATTA (Federation of Tourist and Travel Associations), Board Member of PETAGA (Greek Union of Air Travel Agencies) and Board Member of KIPOKA (a citizens’ movement comprised of residents and local business representatives of the Greek capital’s center). Maria is also a member of ASE (Sports Advisory Board of Athens College),

She participates in citizens groups and takes part in seminars and international conferences of the tourism industry, either as a speaker or a coordinator. Maria also participates in evaluation committees for tourism and technology and has a passion to support next generation through mentorship.