Theodoros Papalexopoulos' guiding legacy

Τheodoros Papalexopoulos was a leading figure in the Greek business community and an impactful pioneer in the integration and generation of value across different sectors within the Greek Society.

During his life and career, he embraced and disseminated a holistic approach to sustainability and growth, by energizing resources and personally contributing to different sectors and initiatives across the community —business, culture, education— integrating all initiatives in the service and purpose of responsible citizenship and corporate social responsibility.

In this context, in the early 1990s, Theodoros Papalexopoulos conceived and envisioned Alba as the first Business School in Greece, with the mission to educate the visionary leaders of tomorrow and to develop the future agents of transformation and change in the Greek corporate community.

During the years of his leadership at Titan, Theodoros Papalexopoulos offered invaluable service to the community, the industry and the economy, both in Greek and in European contexts. He served as President of SEV, he was honorary President of IOVE, he established institutions for Volunteerism, and Responsible Citizenship and initiatives for the prevention of accidents at schools and in the workplace. His contribution served as a catalyst to the rescue and dissemination of cultural heritage, resulting in being awarded by the Academy of Athens and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate degree by The American College of Greece.

Theodoros Papalexopoulos leaves a footprint in the Industrial and Business Community, as well as in the Greek Society. He embodied the traits and the virtues of sustainable, responsible and ethical leadership: Leading with a strong mission for making a difference, a caring attitude, a values orientation that shapes mindset and culture, an integrative style that engenders trust, a willingness to innovate and to be radical. And a long-term perspective on societal impacts.

As the founding father of Alba and a role model for Leadership, Theodoros Papalexopoulos leaves a guiding legacy to our School.

For his vision, social responsibility and contribution to the Greek society, Alba honored him in 2012 with the 2nd Alba Business Unusual Award. His humble leadership is best exemplified in the following quote, upon receiving the Award: “And if I were asked ‘What was your contribution in the entrepreneur’s broader cycle of responsibility?’, I would reply that perhaps the most valuable service I have offered is my contribution to the establishment of Alba!” Theodoros Papalexopoulos praised Alba for its educational mission and vision, acknowledging that thanks to its trailblazer mentality and pursuits, the School has been recognized in Greece and all over Europe. Theodoros Papalexopoulos also put the country’s interest over the business interest: “Every activity that promotes corporate social responsibility is not only for the interest of the society at large but for the business itself. While this activity is advantageous to the company itself, our country today needs it more than ever and I am sure that Kazantzakis would also agree with me, who once had said: ‘Love responsibility. Say: It is my duty, and mine alone, to save the earth. If it is not saved, then I alone am to blame.’”

At Alba, we commit to perpetuating this legacy through education and learning, in order to nurture, further develop and disseminate the knowledge, values and practices, for personal and professional growth, sustainable organizations and prosperous communities. After all, this is the spirit of our “Business Unusual” legacy and our unwavering commitment to setting our sights over the horizon, reaching for visionary ideals and working restlessly to get there, against the tide and all the disruptions.