Don't Miss

The Hellenic Initiative Celebrates Record-Breaking Weekend in New York

By NEO Magazine on January 3, 2026

$2.7 MILLION RAISED TO SUPPORT GREECE

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) raised a record-breaking $2.7 million through a series of events in New York City December 5-8 dedicated to THI’s mission of investing in the future of Greece. The events shined a powerful spotlight on Greece’s remarkable progress and ongoing challenges that the global Greek diaspora continues to address through THI’s transparent, trusted and impactful funding. For THI is not just a relief for everything Greece has endured but a beacon of hope for everything Greece can become.

THI President and Executive Director George Stamas and Mike Manatos

This year THI also held its 1st Annual Corporate Dinner which honored Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey on December 8 at the Union League Club. The beneficiary was Regeneration, co-founded by THI and Coca-Cola in 2014 to reverse the brain drain and revitalize the Greek workforce. It has become the largest employment and training program for young graduates in Greece, resulting in over 5,000 graduates hired across more than 2,000 companies in Greece. Those who joined THI President George Stamas and Coca-Cola CEO Quincey in offering remarks included: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla; dinner Chairman and THI Board Member John Catsimatidis; and Immediate-past President, Coca-Cola Europe, THI Executive Board Member and Regeneration Co-Founder, Nikos Koumettis, who was also honored this evening. Other honored guests included: the new Coca-Cola CEO (announced the following day) Henrique Braun; Greece’s Minister of Development and Investment Takis Theodorikakos and Regeneration Co-Founder Panos Madamopoulos-Moraris.

THI Executive Board Member Nikos Koumettis honored alongside Coca Cola CEO James Quincey

At THI’s sold-out 13th Annual New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on December 6, THI Co-Founder and President George P Stamas, THI Co-Founder and Chairman Andrew N. Liveris (via video), as well as THI Vice Chairs and Gala Co-Chairs John Koudounis and Mike Psaros, addressed the over 865 in attendance including THI Board Members, Lord Byron Circle Members, sponsors and other Hellenes and Philhellenes from around the globe. The evening opened with an invocation delivered by the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, Archbishop Elpidophoros. Before the entertainment began, the Chair of THI’s International Ambassadors Princess Tatiana and THI’s new Executive Director Mike Manatos announced the record-breaking amount raised and special guest performer Antigoni – the recently announced representative of Cyprus at Eurovision 2026.

THI International Ambassador Tatiana Blatnik and Mike Manatos

World-renowned actor and proud Greek Hugh Jackman narrated a short film on THI’s impact and vision for the future, which can be seen here.

THI President George Stamas

A special highlight of the evening was awarding the 2025 THI Lifetime Achievement Award to John Payiavlas. He was introduced by all six of his grandchildren and was surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, their spouses and even 2 great-grandchildren as he accepted his award. A son of immigrants, born during the Great Depression, Payiavlas built from 2 employees to over 10,000 AVI Foodsystems, now the largest privately owned contract food service company in the United States. In a deeply emotional speech that brought the audience to a standing ovation, Payiavlas spoke about the essence of love, unity, and purpose, calling all Greeks and Philhellenes to unite under organizations like THI to help carry the Hellenic torch forward.

THI President and Vice Chair George Stamas and John Koudounis

The gala was further elevated by the attendance of multiple high-ranking Greek Government officials, including Greece’s: “First Lady”, wife of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mareva Grabowski Mitsotakis; Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hadjidakis; Minister of Labor and Social Insurance Niki Kerameus; Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas; Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Haris Theocharis; Secretary General for Greeks Abroad Maira Myrogianni, Ambassador to the US Ekaterini Nassika, Consul General in New York Ifigenia Kanara and Consul General in Boston Symeon Tegos. Also in attendance were Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis and the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia.

THI 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient John Payiavlas with wife Marissa, son Anthony along with John Koudounis and Mike Manatos

THI Board Members in attendance at the gala, in addition to Stamas, Liveris (via video), Koudounis and Psaros included: Executive Committee MembersDean Dakolias (Vice Chair), John Catsimatidis, Father Alex Karloutsos, Nikos Koumettis, Dennis Mehiel and Pericles Navab. Other Board Members attending included: George Anderson, Achilles Constantakopoulos, Theane Evangelis, Andreas Kramvis, William Spell, John Vardinoyannis and Harry Wilson. For a full list of the remarkable THI Board members click here.

THI Executive Board Member John Catsimatidis

Following the program and dinner, guests flooded the dance floor for the after-party to the sounds of the Jimmy Vali Band, Olympia and special guest Antigoni.

THI Board President George Stamas

The weekend events kicked off on December 5 with a THI Lord Byron Circle reception at the offices of Calamos Investments overlooking the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, where guests enjoyed exclusive wines of Château Margaux, provided by THI board member and longtime proprietor of the Château Corinne Mentzelopoulos. This was followed by another sold-out THI New Leaders Cocktail Party which brought together THI’s Under-45 professional group for an evening of ‘networking with a purpose’.

THI 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient John Payiavlas with THI President and Vice Chairs George Stamas, Michael Psaros and John Koudounis

Founded in 2012, THI is the only global non-profit organization that unites Hellenes and Philhellenes globally around philanthropy by investing in the future of Greece. Since its founding, THI has raised more than $38 million and has grown to be the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world. More information is available at thehellenicinitiative.org.

All six Payiavlas grandchildren introducing their papou John Payiavlas

George P. Stamas, THI Co-Founder and President stated: “This record-breaking week proves once again what happens when Hellenes and Philhellenes unite with purpose. Our pride in the funds raised is matched only by our gratitude to the global community whose love for Greece fuels THI’s mission every single day.”

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla

John Koudounis, THI Vice Chair, stated: “The power of our Diaspora is global, strategic, and enduring. Every contribution echoes across Greece – in families supported, jobs created, and opportunities unlocked.”

THI Board Member Theane Evangelis with husband James Kousoulas and children

Michael Psaros, THI Vice Chair, stated: “The momentum we saw this week is extraordinary. It sends a loud message. The Diaspora is not only present – we are energized, united, and committed to impact.”