Leadership 100 Installs New Chairman and Approves 7 Million in Grants
Leadership 100 installed Demetrios (Jim) G. Logothetis of Chicago, formerly a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young, as Chairman, at the Grand Banquet of its 31st Annual Conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, in Naples, Florida. Argyris Vassiliou, outgoing Chairman, praised his successor and acknowledged Jim’s support during his tenure. Logothetis served as Leadership 100 Vice Chairman for the past four years. Also elected was James Pantelidis as Vice Chairman and reelected were Kassandra Romas and Maria Allwin as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. Michael Bapis, who has served as a Board Member for many years, was elected to serve as a member of the Executive Committee. Some 480 members and guests attended the 31st Annual Leadership 100 Conference, which initiated the celebration of the Centennial of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Despite the fear of Covid, “it’s unbelievable and amazing that this conference turned out to be so beautiful”, said L100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos in an interview with NEO. “This was truly the biggest blessing we could have. We were worried how we could have a conference with Covid, how are we going to bring the people together, cancellations were coming left and right and yet, we have never booked so many rooms as we have this time. And the kefi, the spirit of the people, it is unbelievable!”
Echoing similar thoughts, departing Chairman Argyris Vassiliou speaking to NEO said that “it has been an honor to serve Leadership 100 for the past four years, it has been a little difficult given the virus but not only we pulled through, we pulled ahead! I’m stepping down happy, especially knowing that I’m passing the reins to a good man, Dimitri Logothetis.”
“We need to increase membership. We need to focus on the youth and the philhellenes, to make sure that they know us well and they stay with us. We have so many needs, so many opportunities in our community. We have to re-engage our people, especially the young. This way Leadership 100 and other organizations in the community will have a future.” Chairman Demetrios Logothetis
“I feel a high level of responsibility. All of those who came before me these past 37 years they brought this organization to the level that it is now,” stated Chairman Logothetis. “I know there is much work to do and I’m ready! I feel excited, blessed. I commit to the members that I will do my best and I need their support, I can’t do it alone. Every one of us needs to play a role.”
“Leadership 100 continues to change its demographic. We are getting younger, we have close to 200 young professional members now, and we are getting them more involved.” Argyris Vassiliou, former Chairman
The Executive Committee approved 31 new and prior year grants, totaling $7,094,900. The grants were recommended by the Grant Committee, Chaired by Justin Bozonelis. The prior year grants consist of installments of multi-year grants, as do several new grants. With a total of $4,460,150 in grants to be distributed in 2022, the total of grants distributed by Leadership 100 since its founding will reach $70 million. Also, there were 19 new grants totaling $4,767,000 with $2,482,250 to be distributed in 2022.
“Looking at the young people, it is a perfect message that these kids want to be part of this Greek culture. They want the heritage, they want the language and they want the Greek dancing and the fellowship… We had more than 250 young professionals here and now they all ask me when are you having the next conference, we want to be there! This is a beautiful thing… And despite the Covid challenge, we had the highest number of new members in one year.” Executive Director Paulette Poulos
The Conference speakers were Dr. Alexander Kitroeff, Professor, Department of History, Haverford College, who addressed the history of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; George Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, who spoke of his inspiration as a Greek American in leading the pioneering research to combat Covid-19; Dr. Lisa Liberatore and Dr. Dimitri Kessaris, who spoke of their motivation as founders of two nonprofit organizations, Luv Michael and US Autism Homes, along with Mark Biondi, Program Director of both organizations; Theo Nicolakis, Director of Information Technologies at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, who spoke on the modernization of the Archdiocese Technology; and Rev. Fr. Gary Kyriacou, Director of Ionian Village, who shared plans for its transformation. Although Bishop Andonios was unable to attend, a video on the plans for the new St. Michael’s Home was shown.
In addition, the Protopresbyter Andreas Vithoulkas, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, spoke on his newly appointed position as the Proïstamenos (presiding priest) and Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center.
The Grand Banquet included the presentation of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence to Dr. Kitroeff, Dr. Yancopoulos and, in absentia, to Christos Kyratsous, PhD, Vice President of Research, Infectious Diseases and Viral Vector Technologies at Regeneron. The Leadership 100 Achievement Award was previously presented to Dr. Liberatore, Dr. Kessaris, Mark Biondi, Theo Nicolakis and Fr. Gary Kyriacou. Vassiliou was presented with a special Chairman’s Award by the Archbishop and newly installed Chairman Logothetis. Mrs. Ann Vassiliou was presented with the Shining Star Award by the Archbishop and L100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos.
The 31st Annual Leadership 100 Conference concluded on February with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at St. Katherine Church in Naples, Florida.
Chairman Argyris Vassiliou stated that this was a most successful Conference, attended by 480 members and guests who responded enthusiastically to a program that initiated the celebration of the Centennial of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America shared his vision for the Archdiocese and the Church in America and worldwide in a Lecture he delivered and also during remarks at the Grand Banquet.
Other events included a Welcome Reception, Golf and Tennis Tournaments and Awards, along with a Walk/Run. In addition, there were two networking and social gatherings for over 120 Leadership 100 Young Professionals.
Newly installed Chairman Demetrios Logothetis retired from the multinational professional services firm, Ernst & Young, on June 30, 2019. During his distinguished 40-year EY career, he held several leadership roles, from offices in Chicago, Frankfurt, Germany, New York, London and Atlanta and was Lead Partner for some of the firm’s most prestigious clients, including several Fortune 250 companies (e.g., The Coca-Cola Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Whirlpool Corporation).
He has served on the boards of numerous not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Hellenic Museum, Hellenic American Academy, and DePaul University. He was appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees of The American College of Greece in 2019.
He is also an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and served as Vice Chairman of the National Coordinating Committee for the 200th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Logothetis holds an MBA in Accounting, Finance and International Business from The University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business and a BS in Accountancy from DePaul University. He immigrated from Greece to the U.S. at age 13. He is married to Marianthe Analitis and has three children and nine grandchildren. They are members of the following parishes: Ascension of Our Lord Church, Lincolnshire, Illinois, St. Katherine Church, Naples, Florida and St. Demetrios Church, Libertyville, Illinois.
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