Evellyn Leontarakis Tsiadis of South Plainfield, NJ was honored at the Greek America Foundation’s 2025 Gabby Awards. She was one of twenty dynamic women from throughout the United States and Canada who received the award, one of the Greek American community’s pinnacle honors.
At the event, which was an immersive story called “Goddesses in our Midst,” each honoree was matched with a goddess from Greek antiquity with whom she shares qualities.
Evellyn was associated with the goddess Hestia, known for hearth, home, and domestic harmony. Evellyn lives Hestia’s virtues through her nurturing efforts for community care and youth dignity, inspired by family and compassion.
ABOUT EVELLYN LEONTARAKIS TSIADIS
Evellyn Leontarakis Tsiadis embodies an unyielding dedication to service, rooted in a deep belief that doing good for others truly can better the world. Guided by the values instilled by her parents, Evellyn’s upbringing emphasized the importance of community service, tradition, and philanthropy. From her earliest years, she embraced these principles, setting her on a path dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Her passion for service flourished during her early days as the Goya president at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Piscataway, NJ. As she progressed through leadership roles in organizations like the Maids of Athena and the Daughters of Penelope, she not only held positions of influence but also wholeheartedly embraced them.
Evellyn is a catalyst in every cause she champions, inspiring others to action. People look to her to organize and spearhead charitable efforts, particularly in causes of social impact. Her influence transcends titles, as she leads fundraising initiatives, underwrites scholarships for students of Hellenic descent, and dedicates herself to numerous causes close to her heart. Her commitment to serving others exemplifies the essence of humility and the profound impact one individual can have on their community and the importance of giving back. Under her leadership as the International Grand President, the Daughters of Penelope achieved unparalleled success, a testament to her ability to lead by example. By embodying the principles of the organization in her own actions, she set a standard for excellence that motivated members to follow suit, igniting a spark of inspiration and further enhancing the organization’s influence and impact. For over two decades, she serves on the Board of Saint Basil Academy, including 11 years as President, leading the only Greek Orthodox licensed residential childcare facility in the United States. Additionally, she dedicated her time and expertise to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council, the NJ Metropolis Council, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society on the National, Metropolis, and local levels, as well as her chapter in the Daughters of Penelope and the 5th District AHEPA Family Cancer Research Foundation. Evellyn has served as Past President of the Daughters of Penelope Educational Foundation, further exemplifying her dedication to educational excellence and community empowerment. She serves on the NJ Hellenic American Heritage Commission as an appointee of Governor Murphy. Recognized for her outstanding service and steadfast commitment, Evellyn was honored with the highest award presented to a layperson within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Medal of Saint Paul, bestowed upon her in 2018 by Archbishop Demetrios of America. Evellyn’s unwavering dedication personifies a deeply ingrained ethos of service, driven by the transformative force of compassion and the lasting impact of kindness. Her exemplary leadership and empathy inspire those around her, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change for generations to come, while unequivocally defining a pivotal aspect of her character. In the spirit of her guiding principles, she finds inspiration in the Bible passage, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12)
2025 GABBY AWARDS EVENT PRESS RELEASE
Greek America Foundation’s 2025 Gabby Awards Make History Honoring 20 Modern-Day Goddesses in All-Women Celebration of Excellence
New York, NY — June 7, 2025 — The Greek America Foundation hosted its landmark 2025 Gabby Awards at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, celebrating 22 extraordinary women whose professional accomplishments and community leadership embody the foundation’s core values of excellence and philanthropy.
This year’s event marked the first-ever all-women celebration of excellence in the history of the Greek American community, as the foundation recognized these remarkable honorees as modern-day goddesses—echoing the timeless legacy of their ancient Greek foremothers while building a new pantheon of role models for future generations.
Almost 400 people came together from all corners of the world to support and participate in an immersive story called “Goddesses in our Midst” that incorporated sound, light, music and theater and transformed the historic ballroom in New York City into a modern-day Mt. Olympus.
2025 Gabby Award Honorees
Maria Avgitidis Pyrgiotakis, Bridgewater, NJ
Fourth-generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, she blends tradition with modern relationship science and advocates for love, identity, and inclusion.
Elizabeth Z. Bartz, Akron, OH
Founder of State and Federal Communications, Inc., she is a national leader in political compliance and transparency, serving Fortune 500 clients for over three decades.
Dr. Tammi Dice, Norfolk, VA
Dean and professor at Old Dominion University, she advances inclusive education and social justice through transformative leadership and scholarship.
Angelika Dimoka, Miami, FL
Renowned academic and researcher in neuroscience and business, she bridges science and strategy to drive innovation and decision-making excellence.
Laura Evans Manatos, Washington, DC
Emmy Award-winning journalist and founder of Laura Evans Media, she uses storytelling to amplify voices of impact and drive change through positive media.
Dr. Dena Haritos Tsamitis, Pittsburgh, PA
Cybersecurity and engineering education pioneer at Carnegie Mellon, she champions diversity and excellence while shaping future tech leaders.
Katherine Kallinis Berman & Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, Washington, DC
Sisters and co-founders of Georgetown Cupcake, they turned a family recipe into a national brand and philanthropic platform.
Despina C. Kartson, Rye, NY
Author of Last Night’s Soup Run and long-time volunteer serving the homeless, she shares stories of dignity and compassion through faith-driven outreach.
Anthoula Katsimatides, New York, NY
Actor, activist, and 9/11 family advocate, she channels personal loss into national advocacy, supporting mental health and community resilience.
Dora Konomi, Toronto, ON
Lawyer, journalist, and public speaker, she uses her voice to advocate for justice, civic engagement, and the Greek diaspora through her media and legal work.
Dr. Lori Kotsonis Chiampas, Chicago, IL
With nearly 30 years in pediatric pharmacy, she leads in clinical and operational excellence, improving medication safety and mentoring healthcare professionals nationwide.
Diane Kounalakis, San Francisco, CA
Community leader and philanthropist from a proud Cretan immigrant family, she channels her heritage into community empowerment and cultural preservation.
Evellyn Leontarakis Tsiadis, South Plainfield, NJ
Dedicated to philanthropy and service, she embodies the belief that doing good can transform lives and communities, guided by values rooted in her heritage.
Sofia Lingos Papaliodis, Boston, MA
Founder of Trident Legal and professor at Northeastern University, she empowers purpose-driven entrepreneurs and leads with equity, law, and mentorship.
Lena Philippou Korres, New York, NY
Co-founder of KORRES skincare, she leads innovation and sustainability in beauty, blending Greek botanicals with scientific research and global reach.
Marianthi Sofiakis Koritsaris, Chicago, IL
Educator and cultural advocate, she has devoted her career to preserving Greek language and values in the classroom and beyond.
Stefanie Roumeliotes, San Francisco, CA
Political strategist and founder of SGR Consulting, she advises national campaigns and champions representation, equity, and civic empowerment.
Aliki Theofilopoulos, Los Angeles, CA
Acclaimed animator and producer who began at Disney on films like Hercules and Tarzan, now a creative force behind hit children’s television series worldwide.
Christina Hioureas, New York, NY
Partner and Global Co-Chair of Foley Hoag LLP’s International Litigation & Arbitration Department, and Chair of the firm’s United Nations Practice Group. She is also a Visiting Faculty member at the UCLA School of law and teaches “Critical Issues in Human Rights Law.”
Lifetime Achievement Awards to Longtime Foundation Supporters
In addition to the 20 honorees, the evening featured the presentation of the foundation’s highest honor—Lifetime Achievement Awards—to Danialle Karmanos and Cat Cora. Karmanos, a philanthropist, author, and founder of multiple charitable organizations, was recognized for her lifelong commitment to empowering underserved communities and advancing children’s health and well-being. Cora, world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and television personality, was honored for breaking barriers as the first female Iron Chef and for her tireless advocacy on behalf of women in the culinary world and numerous philanthropic causes. Both women have been long-time supporters of the Greek America Foundation’s mission, embodying the values of leadership, service, and impact.
A Night of Immersive Storytelling and Celebration for a Good Cause
The evening featured custom immersive event design and extraordinary installations, told in a complete five act play that was created, written and produced by Marina Vitebsky and Daniella Zelin and their company A Forest Dark, bringing ancient mythology and modern excellence together in dramatic fashion.
In addition to honoring the living recipients, the foundation paid tribute to five iconic women whose legacies continue to inspire: Maria Callas, Melina Mercouri, Roza Eskenazi, Sotiria Bellou, and Olympia Dukakis — each memorialized for their enduring contributions to arts, culture, and society. These tributes were brought to life through special performances by soprano Alexandra Loutsion, pop singer Evangelia, vocalists Erini and Margarita Cox and DJ and producer Lokman. Powerful theatrical monologues by Anthoula Katsimatides and Christina Mavronas also helped create a moving and immersive celebration of the timeless impact of these historic women.
Highlighting Our Charitable Programs
The Gabby Awards are the main fundraiser of the Greek America Foundation and strengthen our mission to promote Greek culture and heritage, offer fulfilling academic programs and support vulnerable populations in Greece.Throughout the night, special guests also shared details about some of the foundation’s projects including a prize named after the late Olympia Dukakis; a youth volunteer program called Greek America Corps; an initiative called Project Hope for Greece that supports children’s charities in Greece and the Futures Campaign, a $10 million endowment fund drive to sustain the foundation’s work for future generations.
Silent and live auctions with dozens of unique items donated from generous companies, as well as generous donations from guests at the event, helped the Foundation raise in excess of $175,000 for these projects.
Event photographs by George Kokkinos here
For more information and honoree bios, see here.
For honoree acceptance videos, see here.