Maria Sofianou
Secretary General of the Municipality of Komotini
Maria Sofianou is a legal professional specializing in Public Law, Political Science, International Relations, and European Union Law. She graduated on scholarship from the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she developed a strong academic foundation in constitutional governance, public administration, and European institutional frameworks.
She practiced law until 2000 before transitioning to public service. She joined the Legal Department of the Municipality of Komotini and subsequently served at the Office of the Secretary General of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. In these roles, she provided legal oversight and strategic guidance on European-funded programs, the Green Fund, the Public Investment Program, public procurement procedures, and regulatory matters concerning local government authorities and public sector contracts.
She currently serves at the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Greece and holds the position of Secretary General of the Municipality of Komotini. Her professional responsibilities focus on institutional governance, regulatory compliance, sustainable development strategies, and the legal dimensions of innovation in public administration. Her work consistently engages with issues of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law within complex administrative systems. She approaches AI not merely as a technological driver of economic and social transformation, but as a domain that raises fundamental questions concerning democratic legitimacy, human oversight, data protection, fundamental rights, and public trust. Her perspective bridges legal theory and public policy, underscoring the responsibility of institutions to ensure that technological advancement remains aligned with ethical principles and societal values.
In parallel with her professional career, she has maintained active international civic engagement through Daughters of Penelope, the women’s global organization of AHEPA.
She has served as Chapter President, National Liaison for Greece, Region Governor for Greece and Cyprus and currently Region Governor for Greece, promoting initiatives centered on social cohesion, women’s empowerment, education, and international cooperation.
She is fluent in English and French, has a command of German, and has pursued formal studies in piano at the Thracian Conservatory.