For the Greek America Foundation’s Gen G high school seniors, September 21 brought the kind of opportunity that can expand a young person’s sense of what is possible: a day at the 2026 Concordia Annual Summit in New York, alongside young people from around the world and leaders whose work reaches across borders.
Congratulations to Eleni Papageorgiou, Demetra Frangiskou, Evangelia Gourmos and Giorgio Sheha, the four high school seniors who represented Gen G at the Summit.
Through Libra Philanthropies’ Rising Global Leaders program, our students were welcomed into an international gathering that connected the ideas they explore through Gen G—service, philanthropy and leadership—with people putting those values into practice on a global scale.
For teenagers preparing for life beyond high school, it was a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity: a chance to listen, exchange perspectives and consider the difference they might make in the world.
A conversation about what leadership really means
A highlight of the day was a breakout session with George Logothetis, alongside young participants from England, Japan and other countries. The smaller setting offered an opportunity to hear his reflections on leadership, adversity and the responsibility to help others.
Before the session began, Logothetis spoke directly with Gen G member Giorgio Sheha, asking which speaker had stood out to him. Their exchange gave Giorgio an opportunity to share his perspective on the day’s discussions—a memorable personal connection within a much larger global event.
During the breakout, Logothetis drew on his own experiences of overcoming challenges and supporting people in need. He encouraged the young participants to develop self-awareness, seek help when they need it and pursue work they love. His reflections emphasized resilience, perspective and the courage to lead with compassion.
One lesson held particular meaning for a group already learning to practice philanthropy: giving should come without an expectation of receiving something in return. Leadership, in turn, carries a responsibility to think about others and act on their behalf.
Learning alongside an international community
The students arrived prepared with questions and joined a room of curious, engaged peers. Listening to young people from different countries explore many of the same issues offered its own lesson: the desire to understand leadership and contribute to something larger than oneself crosses borders.
The Summit’s wider agenda ranged from global affairs and economic opportunity to technology, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. For our Gen G seniors, access to this setting created an exceptional opportunity to connect their own interests and ambitions with conversations unfolding on the world stage.
That connection matters. Through Gen G, our teens already learn to serve their communities, work together and make thoughtful decisions about giving. At Concordia, they encountered those responsibilities in a new setting, alongside people with different experiences and perspectives.
With gratitude to Libra Philanthropies
The Greek America Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to Libra Philanthropies and its Rising Global Leaders team for making this experience possible. We are especially grateful to Rosanna Mortoglou and the team for welcoming our students, and to George Logothetis for sharing his time and insights with the young participants.
We also thank Alkistis Meimaris for accompanying and supporting our seniors throughout the day.
Opening doors like these is a meaningful investment in young people. It gives them access to new ideas, brings them into an international community and encourages them to imagine how their own talents can serve others.
Help the next generation turn compassion into action. Gen G is the Greek America Foundation’s leadership, philanthropy and service program for teens. Through mentorship, hands-on volunteering and a youth-led giving fund, members learn to raise and steward resources, consider nonprofit needs and make decisions together about the causes they support. Applications for the Gen G Class of 2027 open in November 2026. Explore Gen G and join the interest list to learn how a young person in your life can be part of this community.