Papadakis, John, Director of Institutional Advancement, ACS Athens Global & Media Productions
John Papadakis is the Director of Institutional Advancement, Alumni Affairs & Media Productions at ACS Athens and the school's certified Data Protection Officer.
In September 2025, he assumed his duties leading Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs of ACS Athens. After two decades leading Enrollment Management—and along the way also serving as Director of Technology and Communications—this transition is a natural and meaningful progression, drawing on the skills, insights, and relationships built over these years to strengthen our school’s advancement and alumni engagement efforts.
He oversees the operation of the "Suheil Sabbagh" Media Studio at the Learning Commons and is involved in the strategic implementation of the Media Literacy program and initiatives throughout the school, especially organizing the annual Media Literacy Festival every spring.
Since 2021, he has been a member of the executive team of ACSAthensGlobal, the official platform connecting the school's global alumni community. He also serves on the school's RAIL (Responsible AI Learning) team, which spearheads efforts to empower educators and students to utilize AI in teaching and learning ethically and responsibly.
John Papadakis has been the school's certified Data Protection Officer (email: dpo@acs.gr) since 2018, overseeing its compliance with GDPR. He received his DPO certification from TÜV Austria in 2018. He has also served as the managing editor of the International Schools Journal, published by ACS Athens, between 2019 and 2023.
After 14 years in the United States, where he served the American K-12 education in different capacities as a Math teacher, educational technologist, tutor, and administrator, he returned to Greece with his family in 2001. His academic studies include an Executive M.B.A. degree from the University of Indianapolis (Athens Campus), a B.A. in Communications/Electronic Media/Broadcasting from Columbia College Chicago, and an associate degree in Electronics Engineering from Triton College, IL. He has extensive experience in radio/TV production and has worked as an editor/staff writer in weekly ethnic newspapers based in Chicago, IL. John Papadakis was the Director of Communications and Operations of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) – North and South America Region, based in Chicago, from 1995 to 2001, covering and promoting the educational, civic, and cultural activities of the ethnic Greek community on the American continent. After his arrival in Athens in 2001, he was involved in technology projects as a training consultant and as a project manager for new media projects (e-commerce, online Content Management Systems, web 2.0, etc.).
Previous business ventures in the U.S. include: a TV satellite company operating as a Dish Network dealer and distributor of Greek satellite TV channels in the Midwest; a weekly radio program promoting the activities of the Greek American community; and various business technology and communication consulting services to organizations and businesses in the Chicagoland area.
John Papadakis is a lifelong learner, music lover, and global-minded citizen of the world.
email: papadakisj@acs.gr