Greek America’s Forty Under 40: Class of 2026
Jennie Antonakis is Global Enterprise Lead at Amazon Ads, where she leads global enterprise relationships with The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery. Her career spans advertising, entertainment, streaming, sports, and technology, helping global brands navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Beyond her professional work, Jennie advocates for children and families affected by hearing loss. She served for two years on the board of the Hearing Loss Association of America. As the parent of a child with hearing loss, she has worked to expand awareness, strengthen fundraising and partnerships, and ensure that parents and children are represented in conversations about hearing loss.
Her family has also embraced opportunities to create greater visibility and representation for children with hearing loss through advertising and storytelling. In 2026, she became a first-time children’s book author with The Boy with the Silent Superpower, inspired by her son’s experience with single-sided deafness and his resilience on and off the basketball court.
Jennie’s Greek heritage and Orthodox faith are central to her life. She is raising her children with a strong connection to their Greek Orthodox community, traditions, and culture. Her family attends St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, participates in Sunday School and Greek dance, and spends summers in her family’s village of Mesta on the island of Chios.
Guided by family, faith, perseverance, and service, Jennie hopes to continue drawing on her career, experiences as a mother, and Greek American heritage to create opportunities, build community, and help others feel seen, heard, and represented.
Evelin Antae Boatenk is a New York based entrepreneur, creator, and founder of Sagapo NYC & Mytha Creative Studio, a social media and content agency helping small businesses grow through organic storytelling, short form video, and performance driven strategy. Raised in a lower middle class family in Thessaloniki, Greece, she built her early career in hospitality across Greece, London, Berlin, Miami, and New York before turning that international experience into entrepreneurship.
After moving to New York with just $2,000, Evelin built her personal brand from zero to a combined audience of more than 200,000 in roughly one year. Through Mytha Creative Studio, her work has generated millions of organic views, increased customer traffic and online sales, and helped independent businesses build stronger digital audiences. She has also expanded her platform to support women over 30 who want to restart their lives, careers, and financial futures, creating a practical workbook based on the steps, mistakes, and lessons behind her own reinvention.
Evelin is deeply proud of her Greek heritage and has made celebrating it a visible part of her work and identity, even after experiencing racism and discrimination that challenged how others perceived her place within that culture. Rather than allowing those experiences to distance her from her roots, she has chosen to represent them more loudly. She supports the Greek America Foundation, church fundraisers, clothing donation initiatives, community causes, and the ASPCA, while using her platform to advocate against racism, support women’s rights, and champion entrepreneurship and financial independence.
Nick Calbos is a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Nick spent seven years on active duty as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer, leading formations across the United States, Korea, Southeast Asia, and in combat operations in southern Afghanistan. After active service, Nick broadened his professional experience across finance, national security, and politics— in private credit at The Carlyle Group, supporting U.S. Army Europe Headquarters as an Information Warfare specialist, and in field operations for political campaigns in New York. He holds a B.S. in International Relations from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a dual Master of International Affairs in Security Policy and Energy Policy from Columbia University. Nick’s philanthropic work centers on supporting displaced wartime U.S. allies and partners. In 2021, he mobilized with the veteran-led “Digital Dunkirk” effort that coalesced around the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, coordinating fundraising, advocacy, and private evacuation operations via Pakistan and Greece. Through an organization he co-founded, over 60 Afghan allies were successfully evacuated for eventual resettlement in the United States. Raised across the globe in a military and diplomatic family, Nick considers Athens, Greece and New York, NY home. His ancestral roots span Asia Minor, the Balkans, the Aegean islands, and the Peloponnese. A fourth-generation Greek American and third generation in service to the United States, Nick and his wife, Ana, share a life dedicated to public service across diplomatic assignments in Washington and abroad. Who he is today reflects the generations before him: a lineage that nurtured his deep connection to Hellenism and instilled the values of philotimo—inspiring a devotion to family, country, and community.
Michalia Garifalia Catsiliras, known professionally as Michalitsa, is a Greek-Canadian educator, vocalist, philanthropist, and community leader whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to education, service, and the preservation of Hellenic culture.
Professionally, Michalia is an Elementary School Teacher with the Toronto District School Board, with extensive experience in special education and supporting students with Autism and diverse learning needs. Her career is shaped by a strong belief in inclusion, compassion, and creating opportunities for every child to feel valued and capable of success. In 2019, she founded a multicultural student choir for Greek Heritage Month, bringing together more than 50 students from diverse cultural backgrounds to learn and perform Greek music, culminating in a special performance at the Toronto District School Board Head Office.
Michalia’s commitment to philanthropy has been equally significant. From 2014 to 2022, she served as President of Hamogelo Zois – Smile for Life, where she led charitable initiatives, fundraising events, community outreach, and programs supporting children, families, seniors, and individuals in need.
Alongside her work in education and philanthropy, Michalia has performed professionally as a Greek vocalist since 2010, sharing her love of Greek music at festivals, cultural events, community celebrations, and charitable initiatives throughout Canada and Greece.
Deeply proud of her Greek heritage, Michalia is dedicated to keeping Hellenic culture alive through education, music, philanthropy, and community involvement, while inspiring younger generations to remain connected to their roots.
For Anastasia Christofakis, music has always been about more than performance — it is a way to build community, honor heritage, and create meaningful connections. Anastasia has devoted her career to teaching, performing, mentoring, and giving back through the arts.
Anastasia currently serves as Associate Professor of Clarinet at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina where she works closely with young musicians and encourages them to use their artistry in service of others. Her teaching reflects values deeply rooted in her Greek American upbringing: community, generosity, education, resilience, and love for culture.
Her commitment to service is especially visible through her role as Vice President of Education and Community Outreach for What Is Noise, an award-winning nonprofit chamber ensemble that uses music to build community. Under Anastasia’s leadership, the ensemble has led residencies throughout the United States, including programs with neurodivergent students at the Parish School in Houston, Texas, helping make contemporary music more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming. Their second album Temporal Echoes was released by Parma Recordings in April 2026.
Anastasia is also co-founder of the Meraki Duo with pianist Elizabeth G. Hill. Named for the Greek word “meraki,” the duo seeks to awaken cultural compassion through music. The duo released its debut album, Within, in 2022.
Her research explores Armenian folk music and its role in shaping cultural identity. A Presser Foundation Music Award recipient, Anastasia traveled to Armenia to study traditional music and the duduk with renowned musician Gevorg Dabaghyan at the Yerevan State Conservatory. Her research has resulted in performances, presentations, and publications, including her doctoral dissertation, The Music That Shaped a Nation. Through her work, she continues to explore how music can preserve heritage, tell cultural stories, and connect communities.
Andreas Christou, Esq. is a senior attorney with Woods Lonergan PLLC, where he concentrates his practice in real estate and corporate law. He is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of New York and New Jersey.
Andreas currently serves the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations as the Vice President of Education & Religion, and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2022. He oversees the annual scholarship program and is also a member of the By-Laws Committee. Andreas is proud of his Cypriot roots and is an advocate for an end to the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus.
Andreas is deeply involved in the Order of AHEPA, and has been since he joined its Junior Order, the Sons of Pericles, at 14. Most recently, Andreas served as President of AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25 in Manhattan, one of the organization’s largest chapters globally, from 2023-2025. As President, he was instrumental in leading the chapter’s cultural, educational, and philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of a perpetual chapter scholarship fund. Andreas previously served as Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles from 2015-2016, and continued his support to the Junior Order as District Advisor to the Sons of Pericles in New York for many years. Additionally, Andreas served as a committee member for the 100th Anniversary of the Sons of Pericles Centennial Celebration that took place in January 2026.
Andreas is a native of Schenectady, NY and now lives on Long Island with his wife Sophia, and their son Euripides.
Christopher S. Cohen is a Washington, DC land use and municipal law attorney whose career and community involvement reflect a longstanding commitment to service, mentorship, and his Greek Orthodox faith.
A graduate of Emory University (BBA ’12) and The George Washington University Law School (JD ’16), Chris has practiced law for a decade and has been with Holland & Knight LLP since 2020. His work focuses on navigating complex land use and development matters throughout Washington, DC, helping a wide range of clients secure the approvals necessary to achieve their objectives. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America’s “Ones to Watch” since 2024, named a Thurgood Marshall Scholar at GW Law, and selected to serve on the GW Law Alumni Association Board. Chris has also been recognized for his pro bono service, which includes helping a homeless shelter secure approvals for a new facility that will provide safer housing, supportive services, and an on-site health clinic.
Chris’s commitment to the Greek-American community began well before his legal career. After graduating from Emory in 2012, he returned to his childhood parish, St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland, where he spent twelve years coaching GOYA boys basketball and mentoring young Greek Americans. He also returned to Ionian Village as a staff member in 2014.
A grandson of Greek immigrants from Constantinople, Chris credits his late Yiayia and his 93-year-old Pappou with instilling in him the importance of faith, stewardship, and service. Today, those values are at the heart of the life he is building with his wife, Elizabeth, and their son, Sebastian. Together, they are committed to carrying forward their Hellenic heritage and Greek Orthodox faith, ensuring that the traditions, values, and sense of community that shaped Chris are passed on to the next generation.
Dimitrios Dallas is a musician, educator, cultural researcher, and community leader whose work has been dedicated to the preservation and continuation of Hellenic music, dance, and traditions.
A multi-instrumentalist with a deep connection to the diverse musical traditions of Greece, Dimitrios has spent decades studying, performing, and teaching traditional Greek music and dance. His work extends beyond the stage, with a particular emphasis on researching regional traditions and ensuring that the music, dances, customs, and stories surrounding them are passed on with authenticity and respect.
In 2007, Dimitrios founded Perifania School of Hellenic Music & Dance in Chicago, where he continues to serve as Director. Under his leadership, Perifania has grown into a thriving cultural organization serving more than 100 members and students. Through weekly instruction, workshops, performances, competitions, and cultural programs, he has helped introduce a new generation of Greek Americans to the traditions of their heritage. His teaching and research have taken him throughout Greece and the United States, while his students have earned recognition at national Hellenic dance festivals and competitions.
As a musician, Dimitrios has performed extensively on traditional Greek instruments, including bouzouki, Cretan lyra, clarinet, laouto, oud, kaval, and traditional bagpipes. Among his notable performances is an appearance as a bouzouki soloist at Carnegie Hall, along with countless performances at cultural events, festivals, weddings, and community celebrations throughout the United States.
Beyond his cultural work, Dimitrios serves as Senior Project Manager at the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, where he has led major enterprise initiatives and serves as a member of the office’s executive staff.
Of all his roles, however, Dimitrios considers family his greatest source of pride. He is a devoted husband and the loving father of his daughter, Konstantina, whose generation inspires his continued commitment to keeping Hellenic culture alive for those who will carry it forward.
Sophia Dimarhos is Senior Director of Midstream Human Resources at Phillips 66, where she leads strategic talent and organizational transformation initiatives. She received the Golden Shield Award, Phillips 66’s highest honor, for leading the people integration of its largest acquisition. She also served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Human Resources Officer and co-led the development and implementation of a new operating model as part of the company’s broader transformation efforts. Sophia is passionate about developing talent, building high-performing teams, and mentoring others.
Sophia also serves on the Board of PAIR (Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees), partnering with leadership to support refugee youth and their families as they transition to life in the United States. She began her involvement as a mentor to high school students from DR Congo and continues to champion access, opportunity, and community integration.
Sophia is an active member of Houston’s Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral community. She has helped foster cultural connection and visibility by supporting initiatives including an annual diaper drive for Saint Basil Academy in Garrison, NY and “Greek Heritage Night at the Rockets” in collaboration with the Houston Rockets.
A proud Karpathian raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Sophia remains deeply connected to the Greek American community there. She lives in Houston with her husband, Theoharis, and their son, Nikolaos. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University.
MaryAlexa Divver is GM, Invest at OnePay, a U.S. consumer fintech company built on the belief that better money makes life better. She leads the strategy and product vision for the company's retail investing experience.
She brings over a decade of fintech product leadership, including four years at Public.com, where she rose to Head of Product and helped build one of the most ambitious multi-asset retail investing platforms in the U.S., spanning equities, options, bonds, crypto, and alternative assets. Before that, she held product roles at Stash and American Express, shaping financial products for millions of everyday consumers. She's passionate about making investing accessible to everyday Americans.
MaryAlexa holds a B.A. in Psychology and Economics from the University of Michigan, where she also studied Greek language and culture through the Modern Greek program.
Her family's roots trace to Nafpaktos and Perista, where her grandparents were born, and that connection has shaped her ties to the Greek community in New York. She is an active member of the Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral of Brooklyn, where she volunteers each year at the Brooklyn Greek Festival. She is also a member of the Agios Athanasios Association of Perista, a New York-based charitable and community organization established in 1918 for people of Peristian heritage. She continues to return to Greece for summers and holidays when possible, loving the sea and mountains equally.
Dr. Vanessa M. Doulames is a senior scientist at Stanford University whose work spans regenerative medicine, neuroscience, and bioengineering. Her research focuses on developing therapies to repair the injured central nervous system. By combining human stem cell-derived neurons, drug delivery, and physical and electrical rehabilitation paradigms with engineered biomaterials, Vanessa is pioneering combinatorial approaches to rebuild damaged neural circuitry and restore function after brain and spinal cord injury.
Vanessa earned her B.S. in Biology from Northeastern University and her M.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. At Stanford University, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship and instructorship in the Neurosurgery Department before joining the Materials Science and Engineering Department as a research scientist. Her interdisciplinary research has contributed to regenerative strategies demonstrating functional recovery and has attracted support from federal and state agencies, private foundations, and academic institutions. Her work has received national and international recognition, and she lends her scientific expertise as a consultant to biotechnology companies and foundations.
Within the laboratory and beyond, Vanessa has mentored nearly 100 trainees across career stages, with particular emphasis on supporting individuals from backgrounds historically underrepresented in science. She is active in several scientific and professional organizations and is a co-founder of Women in Spinal Cord Injury Research, an international organization advancing mentorship, collaboration, professional development, and visibility for women scientists.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Vanessa is a dual Greek-American citizen who lives in San Francisco and maintains deep personal ties to Greece. She has woven that connection into her professional work, presenting award-winning research at conferences in Greece and teaching and mentoring in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Ikaria. At the heart of her approach to science and service is φιλότιμο (philotimo) - the distinctly Greek value of contributing to the collective good and helping others succeed.
Melina Dunham is a first-generation Greek American whose career is centered around philanthropy, civic renewal, and climate action in Greece. Based in Athens for the past five years, she has recently created Zymosi, as a way to channel her experience and commitment to seeing the country flourish. Zymosi is a collective for systems change in Greece. It stewards regenerative agriculture and social innovation, and begins where change starts: around the table. It seeks to restore hope and rebuild trust among people who get to know one another by breaking bread together. Melina also leads partnerships and regenerative curation for House of Beautiful Business, a global venture that she is bringing to Greece, starting with the successful 2026 World Beautiful Business Forum that was held in Athens this spring. Before this, Melina spent her career building organizations that serve others. As a founding team member of Ecogenia, a Greek environmental nonprofit, she raised more than €1 million and cultivated an active transatlantic community. During her tenure, Ecogenia earned the European Charlemagne Youth Prize and a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action. She also directed The Kali Polis Project's urban climate resilience program across three Greek municipalities. Earlier, she supported the UN Gender and Education Initiative in advancing gender equity across eight Sub-Saharan African countries. Beyond her professional work, Melina serves as a board member of Guide to Good, and was an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, and sat on the French-Greek Chamber of Commerce ESG Committee. She holds degrees from Sciences Po Paris and Barnard College of Columbia University and speaks English, French, Greek, and Italian. She is happiest when dancing, swimming in the sea, and hiking.
Nicole Ossey Freeman, with over 14 years of experience in the B2B SaaS industry, serves as Senior Vice President of People at Santa Barbara-based Artera, an AI company strengthening how healthcare providers communicate and care for patients. On Artera's executive team, she leads talent acquisition, HR, benefits, performance management, and culture for the 250-person organization across the United States and Hungary. Previously, as Vice President of People & Culture at Seattle-based PropTech startup Knock CRM, she launched the People function, built a ten-person team, scaled headcount from 30 to over 200 employees, and served as a strategic partner through a successful acquisition by RealPage.
Rooted in her Greek Orthodox faith, Hellenic heritage, and family origins in Kochylou, Andros, Nicole has devoted more than two decades to the Greek American community. She is a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, and its Philoptochos chapter. She serves as Board Chair of the Portland Greek Festival, the region's highest-grossing Greek festival, and as Treasurer of the Portland Hellenic Youth Dance Program, where she previously served as Board Chair and Dance Instructor and launched an endowment funding traditional costumes and instructor development. In 2023, she received the Metropolitan Anthony Leadership Award for her service as Director of Events for the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF), and in 2024 was one of two parish candidates selected for the inaugural Metropolis of San Francisco 2x2 leadership program.
A Portland native, Nicole attended the University of Oregon. She and her husband, Michael, live in the Portland metro area with their two dogs, Athos and Athena, and are preparing to welcome their first child. In 2018, while living in Indonesia on sabbatical, she survived a magnitude 6.9 earthquake and co-led a global relief effort raising over $25,000 for displaced local hospitality workers.
George Gemelas is Co-Founder of The AXIOS Project. A double graduate of Yale University (BA, Master of Environmental Management), he's an entrepreneur working across climate and energy, civil society, and government.
George co-produced the 2023 documentary, “Greece: A Climate Hotspot,” to spotlight Greece’s environmental challenges, including wildfires and heat stress on olive crops and mastiha. He then launched The AXIOS Project, aimed at galvanizing the Greek diaspora’s ingenuity, philotimo, and resources to solve climate and environmental problems in Greece—and for the benefit of all humanity. The effort raises awareness, cultivates networks, and mobilizes philanthropic and investment capital toward high-leverage projects and opportunities.
AXIOS’s focus is the environmental challenges of Greece: wildfires, extreme heat, dwindling freshwater, ocean conservation, and more. But it also sees Greece as a proving ground, where the solutions and technologies of the future can be developed, tested, and scaled across the Mediterranean and beyond.
Alongside The AXIOS Project, George serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Climate Solutions Fund, where he works to build bipartisan leadership on climate and the environment. He is also a Forefront columnist at the Indianapolis Business Journal, writing on energy and the environment, tech, and the future economy.
George is a proud member of the Greek American community. He has received the Theodora & Milton Dickos, Hellenic Times, AHEPA, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Paleologos, and PanHellenic scholarships, and has served on the PanHellenic Alumni Executive Board. A second- and third-generation Greek American, his roots trace back to Chios, Ikaria, Cyprus, and Asia Minor.
He hails from Carmel, Indiana, and was named the 2022-2024 Outstanding Fellow at the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation.
Dr. Arianna L. Gianakos is a board-certified orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon who recently joined Northwell Health to build a foot and ankle surgery division in White Plains, New York. She previously served as an Assistant Professor and orthopaedic surgeon at Yale School of Medicine.
After completing her fellowship at Harvard–Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Gianakos became the first surgeon to complete an international travel fellowship in in-office needle arthroscopy and foot and ankle sports medicine. Her training took her across the United States, England, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, delivered more than 200 invited lectures, and is pursuing a PhD at the University of Amsterdam focused on sex differences in foot and ankle surgery.
Dr. Gianakos founded and directs the International Foot & Ankle Sports Consensus, bringing together specialists worldwide to develop evidence-based guidance for treating athletes. She is co-founder and president of SpeakUpOrtho, which addresses harassment and discrimination in orthopaedic surgery through education, advocacy, and mentorship. As an international president of Women in Orthopaedics Worldwide, she is helping organize its inaugural international meeting in Verona, Italy, in April 2027. Her leadership has been recognized with the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society Courage Award and the Women in Medicine Summit #Trailblazer Award.
Proud of her Greek heritage, Dr. Gianakos has collaborated with surgeons in Thessaloniki, participated in surgery there, and lectured in Greece. She is an international surgeon member of The Explorers Club. For more than a decade, she has organized shoe and sock drives for people experiencing homelessness.
Mentorship is central to her work. Dr. Gianakos is especially committed to supporting women and others underrepresented in orthopaedic surgery as they navigate a traditionally male-dominated field. She also hopes to help more Greek Americans find a path into medicine by sharing opportunities, guidance, and the support that helped shape her own career.
Elias Giannakopoulos is a Consultant in Deloitte’s Finance Transformation practice, where he supports large-scale global transformation and technology implementations, with a focus on clients in the Aerospace & Defense sector. His work spans technical delivery, project management, process improvement, and the development of AI-enabled solutions designed to improve decision-making, strengthen operational efficiency, and create greater value for key stakeholders. Throughout his career, Elias has focused on combining finance, technology, and emerging tools to help organizations modernize how they operate.
Beyond his professional career, Elias has remained deeply engaged with the Hellenic community. He is involved with several Chicago-area and national Hellenic organizations, including the ENOSIS Federation, Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI), Pan Arcadian Federation of America, and Central Society Tsipianiton. Through these organizations, he has worked to modernize technology, digital infrastructure, communications, and organizational processes so that the organizations can operate more effectively and remain relevant for future generations.
A central focus of Elias’s community involvement is engaging younger generations of Greek Americans and strengthening their connection to Hellenic heritage. He believes that preserving these organizations requires both honoring the traditions on which they were built and embracing new approaches that allow them to grow. His commitment to professional excellence, innovation, and community service reflects his broader goal of creating a lasting impact both within his career and the Hellenic community.
James Grinias is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Rowan University. He is a recognized leader in the field of analytical chemistry, with an internationally renowned research program focused on chemical separations. His primary focus of interest is the development of miniaturized instrument platforms to enable sample analysis directly in clinical settings and in the environment, rather than transporting samples to a laboratory which can delay results. This technology has also been implemented in the pharmaceutical industry, greatly increasing the sustainability of the methods used to analyze pharmaceutical drugs prior to patient use. He has received over $5 million in research funding to support this work to date, including major grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. James’ work has been recognized with awards from the American Chemical Society, LCGC International magazine, The Analytical Scientist magazine, and societies in the United States, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
In addition to extensive service to several professional societies, including the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the American Chemical Society and the Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley, James is involved in a variety of activities with St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA. As a proud supporter of Hellenic cultural activities stemming from his familial roots in Pieria and Evia, his main contributions come as a member of the Parent-Teacher Organization for the St. Luke Greek Language School, where he has helped in the organization of several events celebrating Greek Letters Day (Feast of the Three Hierarchs), Greek Independence Day, Christmas, Pascha, and OXI Day. He also has helped coordinate the School’s “Real World Experience” event where students get to participate in a role-playing shopping experience and practice their language skills.
Kristina Headrick is a purpose-driven founder, educator, writer, and mental health advocate dedicated to sharing Hellenic culture to foster well-being. As the founder of Yia Mas, the first international platform dedicated to Greek wellness traditions, she weaves ancient philosophy, folklore, and dance into transformative retreats and global educational offerings. Her work regularly receives testimonials from the diaspora about how Yia Mas helps them reconnect with their roots on a deeper, meaningful level.
Grounded in a degree in history from the University of Virginia, Kristina approaches her work with research, nuance, and care. Before expanding Yia Mas, she built a successful career in creative marketing and copywriting for companies such as Salesforce and Noom. A certified teacher of yoga, meditation, and Katonah Yoga®, she also draws on a lifelong background in competitive Greek dance and classical dance training, which inform the core of her work.
Through Yia Mas, she hosts popular retreats in places like Amorgos and Epirus, leads workshops, and directs virtual programming, including the Ancient Greek Mystery School.
Kristina’s passion for her heritage is mirrored in her community leadership. While living in New York City, she taught Greek dance to hundreds of students, co-founded the Kyklos young adult dance troupe at the Archdiocesan Cathedral, and co-chaired the National YAL Conference (receiving an achievement award from Archbishop Elpidoforos). Most recently, she competed at HDF with her hometown group from Virginia, taking home first place.
Passionate about service and giving back to the Greek land, she directs Yia Mas partnerships toward environmental and mental health causes in Greece, including collaborations with the ocean conservation organization Aegean Rebreath and the mental health advocacy nonprofit Breathe Hellas. Now raising a daughter between the United States and Greece, Kristina remains devoted to uplifting Hellenic culture through Yia Mas’s offerings and global community.
Emily Intzekostas is the co-founder, owner, and Greek language curriculum developer at Greek Language Experts, an online Greek school for adults that she founded in 2021. Born in Thessaloniki and now based in New York City, Emily has built a community where students learn to speak Greek while connecting with its culture. Her classes have reached more than 2,000 students across all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia. Her students have included actor and filmmaker Nia Vardalos.
Emily holds a master’s degree from The City College of New York and is dual certified in New York State. Before building Greek Language Experts, she taught high school students in the Bronx for six years. She brings that classroom experience to the courses and materials she develops for adult learners, with an emphasis on conversation, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Her connection to Greece extends beyond language education. Emily volunteered in Litochoro, Greece, with Ecogenia, a nonprofit focused on sustainability, and served as its educational advisor. As a Greek mother raising bilingual children in New York, she also shares the language and traditions of her heritage with the next generation.
Evangelos “Evan” Katradis is a Greek American healthcare executive and visionary leader recognized for translating enterprise strategy into operational excellence, advancing diagnostic services, and improving access to quality care. He currently serves as Senior Director of Laboratory Services at OneOncology, leading laboratory strategies across 36 practices nationwide, supporting more than 2,000 providers, 1 million patients annually, and 500+ sites of care. He also serves as Director of Laboratory Services for Chesapeake Urology and previously served as National Director of Laboratory Services for United Urology Group.
Evan’s leadership experience spans academic medicine, integrated health systems, and regional and national healthcare organizations, including NIH, Johns Hopkins, and Kaiser Permanente. His expertise includes building high-performing teams, developing scalable laboratory strategies, optimizing complex operations, and leading initiatives that align clinical quality, financial performance, innovation, and patient experience.
He holds an MBA with a focus in Data Analytics from Louisiana State University and a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Delaware, with executive business analytics training from the Wharton School. He is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and is a candidate for Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
As a lifelong advocate for service, Evan’s commitment to helping others began through healthcare service trips to underserved communities in South America. Raised in a Greek American family with roots in Chios and Psara, he remains active in his faith, philanthropy, and Greek heritage as an active member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland, supporting youth, community, and cultural initiatives. He also supports numerous philanthropic organizations and causes, including veterans, and children and family sponsorship programs both domestically and internationally. His enduring commitment to service reflects the spirit of philanthropy, leadership, and community that exemplifies the next generation of Greek American leaders.
Efstathios Kondylis was born in Scottsdale, Arizona. He studied biomedical engineering at Arizona State University, Medicine at University of Pittsburgh. He completed neurosurgery residency as well as fellowships in Medical Innovations, Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He received additional training in medical research through the Physician Scientist Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh and has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles in reputable medical journals, focusing on the electrical brain dynamics of epilepsy and movement disorders, as well as clinical determinants of success and outcomes after epilepsy surgery. He currently works at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and specializes primarily in surgery for epilepsy and movement disorders. He helped start the first High Intensity Focused Ultrasound program in the city of Detroit, using sound waves to alleviate tremors caused by Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease. He was appointed medical director of the neurological nursing unit at Henry Ford’s main hospital within the first year of his employment and in this role has helped improve medical provider communications and patient experience. Efstathios’s parents, Demetre and Louisa, and his sister Constantina, make an annual trip to their second home in the village of Othos on the island of Karpathos where they remain active members of the local community and remain rooted to their heritage. He met his wife Cassandra in the Neurological ICU at Cleveland Clinic and they now have two beautiful children, Demetre and Sophia, who will soon be playing soccer and making trouble with the other village children in Karpathos.
Alyssa Kyritsis serves as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM) for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh. Building upon an already strong foundation, she expanded opportunities for young people throughout the Metropolis. Through God’s Grace and the support of many volunteers, she developed the Wonderfully Made Ministry for individuals with disabilities, Regional HOPE and JOY Retreats for the youngest members of the Church, Weekend of Service in partnership with Philoptochos to help those in need, Family Camp, Pittsburgh Orthodoxy on Tap and the Pittsburgh YAL Conference. Alyssa also serves as the part-time Resource Coordinator for the National Y2AM Office, supporting parish needs across the Archdiocese. Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where she earned a Master of Divinity with High Distinction. She served six years on the HCHC Alumni Council and held leadership positions on its Executive Board as both Secretary and Vice President, advocating for and representing the school’s female population. Before her current roles, Alyssa served as the Pastoral Assistant of St. John the Divine GOC in Jacksonville, Florida, and was the only female Pastoral Assistant in the Archdiocese at that time. Since 2008, she has served in leadership roles at five different Orthodox camps, contributed to PRAXIS Magazine, interned with both the Metropolis of Pittsburgh and Archdiocesan Y2AM Offices, appeared on several Orthodox podcasts, and was recognized as one of OCN’s 30 Under 30. A proud Cretan and Rhodian, Alyssa remains actively involved in her home parish of All Saints GOC in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where she serves as a Sunday School Teacher, Greek Dance Instructor, Philoptochos member, and Psalti. She is a proud PTO mom and serves as its Hospitality Chairperson. Alyssa is also a devoted wife and mother to two incredible sons!
Alexandra Ladas Ciesielski serves as Vice President of Global AI Integration at Golin Ketchum, where she leads AI transformation across a 2,000-person global agency network. Her work helped earn Golin Ketchum the 2026 PRWeek Agency of the Year Award and a 2026 Ragan HR Award for Use of AI, following a run of recent honors recognizing the company's AI integration efforts. Among her most significant contributions is Golin Ketchum's client AI enablement framework, which helps organizations align AI initiatives to their business priorities and guide employees from AI skeptics to champions.
Alexandra built her career as a communications practitioner long before she became an AI strategist, spending years in strategic communications, crisis communication and reputation management for Fortune 500 clients including Micron, ExxonMobil and McDonald's, as well as healthcare clients like the CDC and Humana.
Alexandra's commitment to her Greek Orthodox faith and heritage runs just as deep. She serves as President of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek School PTA in Washington DC, spearheading fundraisers and annual events, and teaches the Rizes Dancers, the youngest cohort of the parish's Greek Dance program. She believes the future of Greek culture and language rests in the community's children, and that showing up to teach them directly is the truest way to invest in that future.
But Alexandra's proudest role is closer to home: devoted wife to her husband, David, and proud mother to their two young sons, Dimitrios and Alexios.
For Rothopi “Rose” Livaditis, Greece has never been simply the land of her ancestors; it is an essential part of who she is. The daughter of Greek immigrants, Rose was raised in New York with a deep appreciation for her Hellenic heritage and a lifelong desire to strengthen the connection between Greece and its worldwide diaspora. Today, she has transformed that personal connection into a professional mission, helping individuals and families rediscover their roots, reclaim their heritage, and build meaningful ties to Greece.
Educated at Demetrios and Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School and St. Demetrios High School in Astoria, Rose developed a deep respect for education, the Greek Orthodox faith, and cultural identity—values instilled in her by her Karpathian mother.
Rose earned her law degree from Democritus University of Thrace, studying Greek law in its own language, and later an LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies from Fordham University School of Law, specializing in corporate and securities law. Her education across two legal systems gives her a distinctive perspective on the needs of the Greek diaspora.
As a Hellenic Affairs specialist and founder of Greek Global Consulting, Rose has guided more than 500 clients through Greek citizenship and Golden Visa processes, as well as naturalization, military exemptions, residency visas, and vital-record registrations.
For Rose, Greek citizenship is more than legal status; it is a homecoming, a reconnection with one’s roots, identity, and inheritance.
A member of The Hellenic Initiative, Rose is devoted to preserving the traditions that shaped her life. Alongside her husband and two children, she celebrates the Greek Orthodox faith, Greek language, community, and the traditional values of the Karpathian home. Her greatest legacy is helping generations draw closer to Greece and ensuring that the spirit of Hellenism continues to thrive wherever Greeks call home.
Antonia Macris is a Montreal-born Canadian public servant and community leader advancing youth, women, education, and environmental leadership. She is the Senior Speechwriter for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Secretary of State for Nature. Her career in the Government of Canada spans strategic communications, parliamentary affairs, learning and development, environmental education, and fundraising campaign initiatives supporting thousands of public servants. She has also worked with McGill and Concordia Universities and the United Nations Environment Programme. An interdisciplinary scholar, Antonia holds two Master’s degrees in Educational Technology and Environmental Assessment from Concordia University, a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Management, and a Professional Certificate in Parliamentary Governance from McGill University.
A first-generation Greek-Canadian with roots from Zakynthos and Samos, Antonia has dedicated over a decade of volunteerism to strengthening her Hellenic community and creating opportunities for its next generation. She is President of The Hellenic Initiative Canada Montreal New Leaders and a Board Member of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, overseeing youth and international relations. She is also President of the Montreal Council of Women, a 133-year-old advocacy organization representing over 40 women’s groups across Montreal. She has represented Canada as a delegate at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York and at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal.
A TEDx speaker on Youth Empowerment, Antonia connects emerging leaders across Canada, the US, and Greece through mentorship and civic engagement. She has been recognized for her contributions to Hellenism and youth with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Quebec National Assembly Medal, and Greek Roots Changemaker of the Year Award. She has also served on Boards of the National Hellenic Students Association, Hellenic Scholarships Foundation, AHEPA and the McGill and Concordia Hellenic student associations.
Demetra Mallios is a first-generation Greek-American, ex-professional soccer player, entrepreneur, speaker, and social impact leader.
From a young age, Demetra dedicated herself to philanthropic and community-focused initiatives. She supported families battling cancer through Vickie’s Angel Foundation, volunteered with Soccer Without Borders to support underserved youth internationally, and contributed to Equal Playing Field, helping empower girls through sport in countries where girls often face barriers to participation and education.
At 23, Demetra led adidas’ global analytics team across its EU headquarters, helping define the company’s five-year global women’s strategy. She later worked with mission-driven FemTech and HealthTech startups and founded a health-tech community platform that was acquired during her undergrad.
While pursuing her Master’s at Columbia University, she founded Puberry in order to address one of the most overlooked yet urgent challenges facing youth globally: health literacy.
Puberry is a gamified, MD-verified, and AI-powered K-12 health curriculum designed to make health education accessible, engaging, and impactful. Puberry equips schools, educators, students, and families with the tools needed to improve physical health, mental health awareness, and lifelong well-being. She bootstrapped the company for its first two years, working part-time jobs, including as a personal trainer at Equinox, store rep at Korres, and running a Greek catering business out of her NYC apartment, before raising their first round of VC funding.
In 2026, Demetra was recognized as a Social Entrepreneur to Watch, and under her direction, Puberry has rapidly grown into one of the most promising emerging companies in the health education space. Puberry was featured in WIRED Greece and will impact thousands of Greek public school students through their partnership with the Greek Ministry of Education. This is a full-circle moment, as Demetra is always looking to give back to her Greek community both in and outside of Greece.
Niki Devaris Morgulis is the founder and director of the United Nations Girl Delegate Program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, an innovative initiative empowering young Greek Orthodox women to engage in international advocacy, leadership, and public service through the lens of their faith. Since joining the Archdiocese’s Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations in 2021, she has helped expand the Church’s presence at the United Nations while creating opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.
Launched as a pilot in 2022, the Girl Delegate Program has grown into a nationally recognized initiative, bringing high school students from across the United States to participate in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and other international forums. Under Niki’s leadership, delegates engage with diplomats, nongovernmental organizations, and faith leaders on issues including gender equality, environmental stewardship, human trafficking, education, and human rights from a Greek Orthodox Christian perspective.
Niki’s commitment to public service is equally reflected in her role as a Court Attorney in the New York State Supreme Court, Civil Division. In this capacity, she researches and analyzes complex legal issues arising in civil matters and assists individual judges by drafting judicial decisions, orders, and opinions, providing careful legal analysis to support the Court’s consideration and resolution of cases.
Niki earned her undergraduate degree and JD from Fordham University. She is an active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and serves on its Philoptochos Board. Across her work in the judiciary, Church, and international community, Niki is committed to fostering dialogue, expanding opportunities for young women, and advancing service grounded in faith, justice, and community.
For Evangelia Pantazis, entrepreneurship has always been a way to bring people together and give back to the community. At 20, she opened Melina’s Bowtique. Beginning in 2008, she showcased her creations at Greek churches throughout the tristate area, where she built lasting relationships with families in the Greek American community.
In 2013, Evangelia became co-owner of Tees to Tiaras, a children’s store. She continued to welcome those families while hosting vendors and participating in fundraisers. In 2021, she opened Calista NYC, a women’s fashion boutique in Whitestone. There, she saw the little girls she had once sold bows to return as young women. Some even came to work alongside her.
Across all three businesses, Evangelia has valued the chance to listen to customers, connect people, and support others through different stages of life. She has curated events that gave vendors and Greek entrepreneurs opportunities to share their work, meet customers, and build relationships of their own.
Her boutiques have offered more than products. They have been gathering places where people share experiences and help one another. The relationships that have grown from those spaces are what Evangelia values most. She is honored to join the Greek America Foundation’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2026.
Vasilie “Bill” Pavlopoulos is a Vice President with Colliers’ Industrial Facilities Group in the Greater Toronto Area. He represents corporate tenants in major real estate decisions, helping them secure facilities, expand operations and negotiate leases. Bill has completed transactions totalling more than four million square feet and over $1 billion in value. One of his 2025 transactions earned recognition from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) as the year’s largest industrial and largest international transaction.
Before entering commercial real estate, Bill was a student-athlete at the University of British Columbia. As a 2013 CFL draft pick, he pursued professional opportunities as a kicker and punter in both the CFL and NFL. At Colliers, he was named Canada’s Rookie of the Year in 2021 and twice recognized among its Top 6 Performers Under 6 Years. SIOR named him the Central Canada Chapter’s 2024 Young Professional of the Year.
Bill continues to give back through the sport that shaped him, coaching young kickers and punters, including athletes from underserved communities. He mentors junior advisors at Colliers and actively volunteers at St. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church.
Born and raised in the Toronto area, Bill is a proud Greek Canadian and dual citizen of Canada and Greece. The son of a Greek immigrant father, he carries forward his family’s values of hard work, faith and community. As he prepares to become a father himself, sharing that heritage with the next generation has taken on new meaning.
Kali Petropoulos, MA, CFRE, is an executive non-profit leader and visionary strategist driven by a deep conviction that philanthropy is an instrument for profound human connection and equity. As Director of Philanthropy at the United Nations Association in Canada, Kali leads national philanthropic partnerships across high-net-worth donors, family foundations, and corporate leaders to translate Sustainable Development Goals into meaningful action, inspiring Canadians to take shared responsibility for global human rights and sustainable development.
Throughout her impactful career spanning leadership roles at Children Believe, Plan International Canada, and WE Charity, Kali has built and scaled philanthropic programs from the ground up. Her strategic vision has mobilized tens of millions of dollars — including co-developing a proposal for a $1 million gift and securing numerous pivotal six-figure commitments — to fund education, clean water, food security, and community health. At the heart of her work is a passion for girls’ rights to education. Having spent time on the ground in rural communities across Africa and Latin America, Kali works to break down systemic barriers such as poverty and injustice, giving children (especially girls) the opportunity to access school and transform their lives.
Holding a Master’s in History from McMaster University as a SSHRC Scholar, Kali blends rigorous strategy with authentic storytelling. Kali is also equally devoted to celebrating her Greek heritage, serving as an early force behind the Greek-Canadian History Project and directing a Stavros Niarchos Foundation–funded exchange between York University in Toronto and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki that elevated diaspora history internationally. A former Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade Director and MLSE Foundation Game Changers Vice President who helped raise over $250,000 for youth sports, Kali leads with passion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to leaving the world better than she found it.
Nicholas Photopoulos is a first-generation Greek American entrepreneur and founder of HomeTree Digital, a New York agency helping financial services firms turn creative thinking and technical innovation into business growth. Drawing on extensive industry experience, he leads the agency’s services and product development. His product initiatives include AVA, which transforms complex data into compelling visualization videos, and the Reporting Module, a proprietary solution that connects market intelligence, investment holdings, and financial professional data to help firms uncover opportunities, refine outreach, and make informed decisions.
Born in the U.S., Nicholas spent his early years in Athens before growing up in the multinational community of SHAPE in Belgium. After studying at Southampton Solent University in the UK, he opened StoneShot’s New York office, serving global institutions including HSBC, UBS, and Invesco. He subsequently built Swiss asset manager Vontobel’s U.S. digital marketing program from the ground up before founding HomeTree Digital.
His late father, from Platanos near Ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese, instilled the moral principles that continue to guide his decisions. His mother, from Thessaloniki, nurtured a deep appreciation for Greek culture, language, and philosophy, alongside a belief that knowledge carries a responsibility to help others. He returns annually to Greece, where he married his soulmate, Antonia, and baptized his children. Committed to supporting fellow Greeks, he mentors and trains young people in Greece and the United States, helping them develop problem-solving skills, confidence, and resourcefulness to navigate professional and personal challenges.
Today, Bianca brings together a career in healthcare, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to philanthropy and the global Cretan diaspora. In 2009, she co-founded and operated a Chicago real estate company. She went on to nursing school to complement her experience as a business owner and proudly served as a NICU nurse at Lurie Children’s Hospital. In 2018, she ran the Chicago Marathon in memory of a patient, crossing the finish line with the child’s father and aunt. With a desire to combine her business and clinical experience, Bianca pursued medical sales, beginning her career selling CT scanners with Philips Healthcare. During the pandemic, she completed an Executive MBA at Loyola University Chicago. In 2022, she received the ETHOS Award at VERO Biotech during a first-in-class product launch. As an Oncology Sales Specialist at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, she works alongside physicians caring for patients navigating bladder cancer. Her success at Ferring was recognized in 2025 when she joined the company’s Circle of Champions for Microbiome. As Philanthropic Chair of the Pancretan Association of America, Bianca helped lead efforts that raised $95,000 to support the relocation of the Alzheimer’s Day Care Center in Chania, Crete. The cause is deeply personal, as her father, George, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023. Globally, she serves as Treasurer of the World Council of Cretans, while locally, she is Sergeant at Arms for the Cretan Association of Chicago. She is also a member of the PAA 300 Club, supporting the Pancretan Foundation’s efforts to strengthen culture, education, philanthropy, and scholarships. Grounded by substantial life experience, Bianca values what she has earned and treasures simple moments with loved ones. In the summer, you’ll find Bianca in Crete, enjoying time with family and friends. She brings abundant energy, has a natural pep in her step, and is always ready to pay it forward.
Catherine is the Owner of The Law Office of Catherine Pinos where she specializes in estate planning law. Catherine is committed to serving her community by assisting individuals and families protect their legacy and prepare for the future with clarity, confidence and peace of mind. Her role involves navigating complex conversations that touch on life, love, money and death – and she approaches each one with professionalism and empathy. Deeply committed to service, Catherine also dedicates substantial time to pro bono legal matters and volunteers with the Legal Aid Society providing legal support to domestic violence survivors navigating difficult circumstances.
For over a decade, Catherine has been actively involved with the Hellenic Professional Women Inc. (“HPW”) and currently serves as the organization’s First Vice President. HPW is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting the advancement of Greek-American women at all professional levels and across all career paths. HPW executes their mission through organizing networking and education events, mentorship, and their ‘Woman Rising Scholarship Award’ which is granted annually to numerous students.
Catherine is a lifelong, dedicated and proud member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Flushing, New York – where she serves on the Endowment Governance Board.
Stephanie Petsis Polydoropoulos is an investment industry professional and Hellenic community leader who has built a career defined by leadership, mentorship, and a deep commitment to preserving and advancing Hellenic heritage. She is a Senior Business Development Manager at Vanguard Investments Canada in Toronto, with over a decade of experience spanning asset management, wealth management, and banking, including roles at First Trust Portfolios Canada, Raymond James, and Royal Bank of Canada.
As President of the Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade, Stephanie made history as the first woman to lead the organization in its nearly 30-year history. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach, strengthened community partnerships, and emphasized mentorship and engagement with the next generation of Hellenic Canadians. She spearheaded a partnership with the National Hellenic Student Association, connecting young Hellenes with professionals across industries. Since its inception, Stephanie has been an executive member of the Greek-Canadian Games, helping grow an initiative that engages hundreds of youth through sport, Hellenic culture, and connection. For over a decade, she has also served as a Sunday School teacher and youth mentor at St. Irene Chrisovalantou Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto’s Greektown on the Danforth. Her service also extends to Toronto’s Hellenic Hope Centre, which supports individuals with special needs.
A lifelong athlete, Stephanie represented Team Ontario and earned a full NCAA Division I tennis scholarship to the University of North Dakota, where she studied Business Economics and served as team captain. She received the AHEPA Zoe Cavalaris Outstanding Female Athlete Award. The granddaughter of immigrants from Megalopoli and Larissa, Greece, Stephanie proudly carries forward her grandparents’ legacy of community service and Hellenism. Stephanie resides in Toronto with her husband, Peter, and is the eldest of Konstantinos and Vivian’s four daughters, with younger sisters Thalia, Thea, and Despina.
Dr. Dimitra Pouli is Director of Anatomic Pathology Informatics and an attending Dermatopathologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, as well as an Instructor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. Her work focuses on modernizing disease diagnostics by integrating artificial intelligence, digital pathology, and advanced data systems into clinical practice to improve operational workflows along with enhancing diagnostic accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.
A graduate of the University of Athens Medical School with honors, Dr. Pouli earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University, where she developed non-invasive imaging technologies for earlier disease detection. Her research was supported by competitive awards, including the Onassis Foundation Scholarship and the Stavros Hartofilis Research Grant from the Hellenic Medical Society of New York. For her innovative work she was recognized with numerous accolades, including the Tufts School of Engineering Graduate Award for Outstanding Academic Scholarship and was selected to attend the prestigious international 68th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting for Young Scientists, highlighting her standing among top young scientists globally.
She subsequently was awarded a highly competitive NIH T32 postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and then completed advanced clinical training across Harvard-affiliated hospitals in Pathology, Dermatopathology, and Clinical Informatics. She also earned an Executive MBA while completing her intensive clinical fellowships. This combination of clinical expertise, technical fluency, and business acumen is exceedingly rare and positions Dimitra to lead complex, cross-sector initiatives in healthcare.
Beyond medicine and clinical innovation, Dr. Pouli is a dedicated mentor, educator, conference leader, and community volunteer, supporting scientific education, environmental restoration, and the development of future leaders in science and healthcare.
Vasiliki (Vicky) Radaios is a global public health professional working at the intersection of humanitarian response, health, and migration. She is currently the Data Analyst Activity Manager at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Greece, where she leads monitoring and evaluation across the organization's projects on Lesvos, Samos, and in Athens, building the data systems that guide evidence-informed care for migrants and refugees. Previously, she was Program Manager and Researcher at the Prolepsis Institute in Athens, managing European Commission-funded projects under Horizon Europe, DG SANTE, and more, leading consortium-wide evaluation of research on vaccination equity among underserved populations, including refugees, migrants, and Roma communities. She holds a Master's in Public Health from New York University, is currently a DrPH candidate in International Health and Sustainable Development at Tulane University, and has authored seven peer-reviewed publications on health equity and vulnerable populations.
For Vasiliki, migration and health equity are personal; her maternal grandparents were displaced from Ikaria during World War II and spent years as refugees in Ethiopia before returning home, and her father's family emigrated from Dimitsana to Chicago. Vasiliki came to Greece through the Greek America Foundation's inaugural volunteer cohort in 2017, returned through the same program in 2020 amid the pandemic, and chose to stay! Three generations after her grandparents crossed borders in search of safety and opportunity, she works to honor their sacrifice by doing her part to ensure those crossing Greece today are cared for and never made invisible.
Evangelos "Angelo" Skartsiaris is a Partner at C3S CoRE Consulting, Inc. (CoRE), a third-party construction and real estate consulting firm serving lenders, developers, and owners across the Northeast and Florida, with a growing national presence. Angelo leads CoRE's lender-side due diligence practice, overseeing Plan and Cost Reviews, Construction Loan Monitoring, Property Condition Assessments, and Cost-to-Complete analyses. His work helps clients protect their investments and keep complex construction projects on schedule and on budget.
With more than 15 years in construction due diligence, and over five years as a licensed Professional Engineer, Angelo is known for his integrity and for practical, straightforward guidance that clients can act on with confidence.
Angelo's Greek heritage has shaped him as much as his profession. From an early age, his grandparents and parents taught him the value of knowing where he comes from: the language, the traditions, the Orthodox faith, and the sense of philotimo that ties a family and a community together. Those lessons stayed with him. Growing up, he found that same sense of belonging on the soccer field with the New York Pancyprian Freedoms, one of the Greek community's most storied clubs.
Today, Angelo is an active member of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone, New York, where he regularly volunteers at the parish's annual festival. He believes the future of Hellenism in America depends on passing its heritage, traditions, and faith to the next generation. Just as his own family did for him, he is committed to raising his children to be proud of who they are and where they come from.
Above all, Angelo is most proud of his family: his wife, Vasilia, and their daughters, Violetta and Dimitra.
Greg Steele has served as Political Communications Director to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson since 2023. In this role, Steele has led Johnson’s national campaign communications efforts and traveled across the country with the Speaker as a senior member of his political team. This follows more than a decade of experience in government and campaign communications with the governor of North Carolina, several Members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Throughout his time in the Speaker’s office and in government, Steele has maintained close connections with his faith and culture as an active brother in AHEPA, on the board of the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, and as a founding member of the Greek Independence Day Committee which honors Greece’s Independence Day at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Steele has also mentored young Greek Americans interested in public service through the Capitol Hill Hellenic Association and meeting with students each year through the National Hellenic Society.
Steele is a native of Wilmington, NC and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Steele, the grandson of immigrants from Ikaria, Greece, is married to Dr. Lemonia Steele (Mavrophilipos), a native of Baltimore and graduate of Johns Hopkins University, also of Ikarian roots. They live in Maryland and are the proud parents of Antonios with another on the way.
Ellpetha Tsivicos is a Cypriot-American artist, director, curator and producer who makes lively subversive, dialogical and immersive work in community gardens, public parks, NYC waterways, and the occasional theater. She is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a Minor in Art & Public Policy. She conceived, curated and creative produced the inaugural season of Sugar, Sugar! along with Public Assembly at Domino Park. Through One Whale’s Tale, her production of QUINCE in August of 2020 became the first live theatre in NYC during the COVID pandemic establishing her as a leading voice in immersive, site-specific and large-scale performance. In 2021 she followed this production with an immersive experience, Persou, which re-imagined myths and rituals from Cyprus, the Hellenic diaspora, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Ellpetha leads a creative arts healing program I Wish I Knew How where she mentors a community of formerly incarcerated people, is the co-founder of the Brooklyn Cumbia Festival, and continues her lifelong advocacy for her homeland as the founder of The Cyprus Foundation. She has also directed and produced several short films, documentaries, and music videos. Ellpetha has created work with and at Lincoln Center, Interview Magazine, The Public Theater, The SHED, The People’s Garden, the Bushwick Starr, the TEAM, Onassis Stegi, Phaneromenis 70, the cell Theatre, the Goethe Institute, Double Edge Theatre, PS 1, the Exponential Festival, the Art in Embassies Gala, the MoMa PS1, and Art Basel. Her work has been supported by the Brooklyn Arts Council, A.R.T./New York, Humanities New York, NYSCA, the City Parks Foundation, the Venturous Theater Fund and the Citizens Committee for New York City. If there is one thing she can leave you with, it is that there is magic everywhere, even in the darkest moments.
Christiana Vasilas founded Christiana V. Photography & Design to document history and elevate Hellenic heritage. She is the first Greek-American official photographer of the Proedriki Froura, the Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic of Greece (the Evzones), capturing their guardianship of centuries-old traditions. Her work honors Greece’s heroes and seeks to reawaken the Hellenic spirit among Hellenes and Philhellenes worldwide.
Her photography has been exhibited internationally, including at the Athens War Museum. The Art Collective – New York City Art Walk selected two of her photographs celebrating Greece for Times Square billboards. Her work has also been auctioned to raise significant funds for The Hellenic Initiative, Ronald McDonald House – Greek Division, The National Hellenic Museum, the Greek America Foundation, and the New York Greek Independence Day Parade, among others.
Christiana also runs the Executive Office of an international nonprofit, supporting senior leadership and overseeing executive operations, travel, and security initiatives. In June 2025, she co-led the evacuation and repatriation of 90 staff members, donors, and their families from Israel to the United States during the 12-Day War, coordinating their safe return over six days.
For more than two decades, Christiana has supported the Greek-American community through volunteer leadership, philanthropy, and service. She has volunteered with the Greek America Foundation, The Hellenic Initiative, and Greek Orthodox communities, and serves on the board of the Benevolent Society of Eleftheriani. In 2025, she served on the board of the Young Adult League Archdiocesan Conference in New York, a three-day program bridging philanthropy, philotimo, and diakonia that hosted His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for a special encounter. Through photography, professional leadership, and community service, she works to preserve Hellenic heritage and strengthen the Greek-American community for future generations.
Stephanie is a respected associate at Fox Rothschild LLP, a national law firm with more than 1,000 attorneys coast to coast. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, she handles a broad range of bankruptcy, financial restructuring and insolvency matters. She focuses her practice on representing official committees of unsecured creditors in major chapter 11 cases spanning industries as varied as technology, construction, retail, food and beverage, and micromobility. What makes Stephanie's work so meaningful is its human dimension: unsecured creditors are often the most vulnerable parties when a company faces financial hardship — small vendors, individual claimants and other everyday people left holding the bill. Stephanie fights for them.
Beyond her legal work, Stephanie, a graduate of Villanova University's Charles Widger School of Law, is committed to helping others. As a proud second-generation Greek-American, she is a member of The Hellenic Initiative, a global nonprofit and secular organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and fostering sustainable development in Greece. She also regularly volunteers at the food festivals at her home parish in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as her Yiayia and Pappou’s parish in New Castle, PA. Her connection to her heritage is not merely cultural—it is active, purposeful and rooted in the values passed down by her grandparents, who immigrated from Trikala, Greece, and instilled in her the belief that those who have been given opportunity have a duty to give back.