Michaela Elena Balis, born in Hamburg, Germany, is an economist and international relations expert. Since 2010 she is representing as Director for Greece and Cyprus the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany, Germany Trade & Invest. Prior to this, she was Head of the Economic Relations and Marketing Department of the German-Hellenic Chamber of Industry and Commerce. She holds a University Degree in European and International Economics from the Athens University of Economics and Business and a Master's degree in European Organisation and Diplomacy from the National Kapodestrian University of Athens. Her mother tongues are German and Greek. She speaks fluent French and English.