Navios Maritime Partners CEO Angeliki Frangou Named Columbia Engineering Undergraduate Class Day Speaker

Angeliki Frangou MS’88 has been named the Class Day speaker for the Columbia Engineering Undergraduate Class of 2026. Frangou is the chairwoman and CEO of Navios Maritime Partners L.P., an international owner and operator of dry cargo and tanker vessels, publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NMM." 

Born in Chios, Greece, Frangou represents the fifth generation of a storied maritime tradition. Her father, Captain Nicolas Frangos, famously rebuilt the family business after World War II by refloating a sunken vessel. Her mother, Stella Monoyios, a scholar of classical studies, instilled a passion for the arts. Educated in the United States, Frangou graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, summa cum laude, and earned her master's degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University in 1988.

After spending her early years on Wall Street, Frangou embarked on a career in commercial shipping at a time when few women occupied senior roles in the field. In an industry defined by unforgiving cycles, Frangou based her organization on disciplined risk management and patience, weathering booms and busts, banking and sovereign debt crises, and shifting energy and trade flows. Ultimately, she transformed Navios into a global transportation benchmark.

“The Class of 2026 is entering a world of both tremendous change —and with it, great opportunity,” said Frangou. “I look forward to sharing my experience on how to navigate a changing and uncertain world that is a source of opportunity.”

Frangou has been the chair of the Board of Directors of Navios South American Logistics Inc. since its inception in December 2007. Frangou is also a member of the International General Committee and of the Hellenic and Black Sea Committee of Bureau Veritas, and is also a member of the Greek Committee of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. Frangou has also served on the Columbia Engineering Board of Visitors. 

“We are delighted to have Angeliki speak with our undergraduate students. Her vast experience in successfully leading global companies through times of uncertainty will be an inspiration to so many,” said Shih-Fu Chang, Dean of Columbia Engineering. 

Frangou has been named one of CNN’s International Leading Women (2013), the 50th most powerful businesswoman in Fortune Magazine (2011), and was named the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Commodore (2011). She has been listed twice on Lloyd’s List of Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping every single year since the presentation of the list. 

Deeply committed to giving back to society, she actively supports initiatives that broaden the pipeline of diverse talent into the industry and has raised significant funds for programs that support seafarers and their families. She also champions education, culture, and economic opportunity—particularly in Greece and across the maritime community.

Frangou will address the graduating class at their Class Day ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026. Class Day ceremonies are the most significant school-specific graduation celebrations at Columbia.