Board of Trustees

jimmy athanasopoulosJimmy Athanasopoulos, Chair. Jimmy Athanasopoulos is currently representing several ultra high net worth individuals and their respective organizations and is serving them as a Special Advisor in areas such as Energy, Real Estate, Startups, Shipping and others. Previously, Jimmy was Greece Representative of Libra Group in the area of Social Responsibility and was responsible for the Libra Social programs in Greece. Jimmy was also responsible for the public relations and liaison with partners, trustees and beneficiaries of Libra’s social responsibility activities. Following an MBA from Northeastern Illinois University, Jimmy began his career in Chicago, Illinois as a provider of financial and investment services across various asset classes. He later undertook a variety of management roles at multinational corporations including DNV, Tyco Healthcare, and TetraPak before entering ship management as Chief Financial Controller with FreeSeas Inc. preparing statutory reports towards the SEC. He later joined G. Bros Maritime S.A. where he was responsible for financial reporting to the Board of Directors. Jimmy joined the Libra Group, in 2012, as Director of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award (rebranded in to Envolve Entrepreneurship), an initiative aiming to support Greek start-up businesses, funded and operated by the Libra Group. In 2015, he joined Libra’s Executive Team as Head of Social Responsibility, providing strategic oversight of the group’s global responsibility and education programs. In 2016, Jimmy completed the Executive Education Program for Corporate Social Responsibility at Harvard Business School. In 2019, he served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of EuroEnergy, Libra Group’s energy company in Europe. At EuroEnergy, Jimmy managed the company’s economic strategy and was responsible for financial reporting to partners. Additionally, he was Chairman of Envolve Entrepreneurship. He has been sitting on the Advisory Council of The American Community School in Athens since 2016. He has previously been a member of Board of Directors of the HOME Project, an initiative founded in Greece to provide a safe haven for refugees, with a special focus on unaccompanied children.

PanagiotakosSteven C. Panagiotakos, Vice Chair. Attorney Panagiotakos served seven terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. He was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means in March 2007. Chairman Panagiotakos was responsible for the oversight and development of the Commonwealth’s $26.8 billion dollar budget. He has a long history of community and political involvement, particularly in the area of education. Before being elected to the State Senate in 1997, he served two terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and two terms as a member of the Lowell School Committee. Attorney Panagiotakos attended Phillips Academy, received his Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, and obtained a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. He maintains a law practice not far from his home in Lowell, MA.

Thanasi LiakosThanasi “T.C.” Liakos, Secretary. Thanasi “T.C.” Liakos is President and CEO of The Liakos Companies, which consists of subsidiaries that invest in commercial and residential real estate development, and Chairman of the capital investment company Marcon Ventures. He is also Chairman of Greenleaf Development, the development and construction division of his company. Born in Elassona, Greece and raised in Nashua, NH, he graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1984 and began his career working in public relations and marketing for a large real-estate development company. Mr. Liakos serves on the Board of Trustees of various philanthropic and educational organizations including Leadership 100, the Alpha Omega Council and Rivier University. He lives with his wife and children in Nashua, New Hampshire, whose community he continues to serve as a volunteer basketball and soccer coach, President of the St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council and Executive Board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua. In recognition of his dedication to the community and service to the Club’s mission, he was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2012.

CandrisDr. Aris Candris was president and CEO of Westinghouse Electric Company from 2008 to 2012. Prior to this, Dr. Candris served as senior vice president in charge of the Nuclear Services business unit first in 2000, and then resumed the role in 2004 after completing a special assignment as senior vice president, Operational Excellence, from June 2003 through August 2004, during which he developed the formative stages of the Westinghouse Customer 1st initiative. From 1996 to 1999, Dr. Candris was vice president and general manager of the Nuclear Services business unit; vice president of Nuclear Services operations; director of Nuclear Services projects; and, director of Nuclear Technology. Between 1980 and 1995, he managed Nuclear Technology and Nuclear Services organizations in the areas of operating plant marketing; strategic operations; nuclear safety analysis and strategic development; functional design; reliability technologies; and, reliability engineering. He began his Westinghouse career in 1975 as a senior engineer in the former Advanced Reactor Division. Dr. Candris holds a B.A. from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is on the boards of NiSource Inc., Kurion Inc., and The Hellenic Initiative, as well as on the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Mellon and Transylvania University.

Nicholas ChristodoulopoulosNicholas Christodoulopoulos is a retired admiralty lawyer. He has been a ship-owner since 1973. He is President of Fidetrust Investments LTD., in London (UK), Vice-President of the Greek Tourist Ship-owners’ Association (2000-2015), and a member of the legal committee of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping for 18 years. He is also a member of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, New York. Dr. Christodoulopoulos earned a law degree from the University of Athens (L.L.B., 1960), a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Rome (scholarship 1963) and a LL.M. in Comparative Law from Columbia University ( fellowship 1966). He is also chairman of the Orama Foundation, a New York non-for-profit charity institution. He is a Greek- American residing in New York City.

ChrousosGeorge P. Chrousos MD, ScD, MACE, MACP, FRCP. Professor George Chrousos was born in Patras, Greece, in 1951. He completed his MD studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) as the valedictorian of his class in 1975. He obtained his Medical Sciences Doctorate from NKUA, and did his residency in Medicine, NKUA, and Pediatrics, New York University, and his fellowship in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD. He was Chief of the Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, NICHD, NIH, and subsequently Chairman, First Department of Pediatrics, NKUA, Athens, Greece, until 2018. Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, Holder, UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, Director of the University Research Institute on Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine at the NKUA, and Senior Investigator at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens. Professor Chrousos pioneered studies that elucidated the effects of stress on the organism at the behavioral, neuroendocrine, cellular and molecular levels and made fundamental contributions to the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of pituitary, adrenal and stress-related complex pathologies, i.e., major depression, obesity/metabolic syndrome, and autoimmune/inflammatory, reproductive and sleep disorders. He made seminal observations in the glucocorticoid signaling system of the cell and deciphered some of its key clinical implications. Professor Chrousos’s work has been cited over 179,000 times (H-index204) making him one of the top 100 cited authors (Google Scholar Sept 2022) and a highly cited physician-scientist (ISI) in both Clinical Medicine and Biology and Biochemistry. He has received numerous major awards, including the Fred Conrad Koch Award, the highest honor of the US Endocrine Society. He is a Doctor Honoris Causa of the Universities of Liege, Belgium, Universita Politechnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, and University of Patras, Greece, and an honorary professor of the Universities of Warwick, UK, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Russia, Xi’an Medical University, China, and Democritean University of Thrace, Greece. He served as Board Member and President of the International Society of Neuroimmunomodulation, the European Society of Clinical Investigation and the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology. He is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Research, the Association of American Physicians, the European Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters Academia Europaea and the US National Academy of Medicine.

George GratsosGeorge A. Gratsos is President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping since 2004. Before that, he served as President from 1996 to 2000. He is a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Union of Greek Ship-owners (UGS), President of the UGS Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection Committee, former Vice-President and current member of the BoD of HELMEPA (Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association), as well as a member of many other boards and organizations. Mr. Gratsos has been President of the U.K. Freight Demurrage and Defense Association, and Vice-President of BIMCO. He holds a BSc in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from MIT, and a PhD in Shipping Market Dynamics from the University of the Aegean.

George KalavrouziotisGeorge Kalavrouziotis, Chairman and Founder of Eunice Energy Group. George Kalavrouziotis is a distinguished leader in the energy sector, boasting over 25 years of expertise in renewable energy and more than 35 years of a remarkable track record in business development. Driven by vision and determination, he has been instrumental in shaping a sustainable future and advancing the global energy transition. In 2001, he established the Eunice Energy Group, a trailblazer in renewable energy solutions. Operating in Greece, Cyprus, and Germany, and employing over 150 highly skilled professionals, the Group has emerged as a benchmark in the industry. Eunice Energy Group specializes in developing renewable energy parks, energy storage systems, smart technologies, wind turbine manufacturing, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Under his strategic leadership, the Group spearheads projects of geopolitical significance, including island interconnections, green hydrogen production, and cross-border energy links with Egypt. These initiatives enhance energy autonomy, bolster economic resilience, and drive sustainable development. His steadfast commitment to innovation, accountability, and the principle of "Energy Democracy" has firmly positioned Eunice Energy Group as a leader in the global energy transformation. Mr. Kalavrouziotis brings extensive experience in pivotal roles. As a Consultant to the Ministry of National Economy, he contributed to advancing International Economic Relations. Additionally, his tenure as President of the Transportation and Export Commission of the Export Council highlighted his exceptional strategic insight and leadership skills. With an unwavering vision, relentless dedication, and a pioneering spirit, George Kalavrouziotis continues to lead Eunice Energy Group in charting a course for Greece and the Mediterranean region toward a new era of sustainable energy and green innovation.

KonstantopoulouSofia Konstantopoulou is the Global Head, Marketing & Events of IBIA. She focusses on the business strategy and commercial development of the company. After more than a decade working in organizations such as UNESCO, European Parliament and in the private sector, she managed strategy development projects for multinational companies across different industries, where she has specialized in Corporate Marketing, Sales, Events and CRM practices. Ms. Konstantopoulou has been rewarded with the European Award for the ‘Most Innovative Marketing’ in Europe representing Greece in CEBIT Dublin. She has also been listed in the ‘Who is Who 2018’ as one of the most eminent personalities in Greece and ‘One of the most Influential Professionals’ in the shipping industry in 2018, according to allaboutshipping.co.uk. She is the Founder and Chair of the Greek International Women Awards. Ms. Konstantopoulou holds a BA in Arts Management and Theatre Studies (North London University) a MA at Arts Administration and Cultural Policy (Goldsmith’s University) and a MA in International Politics (CERIS – ULB Diplomatic School of Brussels).

Minos MatsasMinos Matsas graduated from the Law School of Athens in 1990. He then continued his studies at Juilliard School of Music and Orfeion Conservatory. He has composed music for films, theater, modern dance performances as well as instrumental ensembles. His music has received awards both in Greece and the USA. In 2006 and 2008 he was awarded with the Greek State Music Award for the soundtracks of the films “Eduart” και “Slaves in their Bonds” correspondingly. His film music has been presented in the Metropolitan Opera with “The Parthenon”, directed by Kostas Gavras, in Alice Tully Hall with his “Diary of a Lost Girl,” in Athens Music Hall, New York, and many theaters in Europe, too. His most recent works include the soundtracks of “Eftyhia”, “Green Sea”, “Fantasia”, “Kazantzakis”, “Amerika Square”, “God Loves Caviar”, “Undisputed III", “The Stan Lee Story”, and the music for the modern dance performances "Rebetiko" and “In Limbo,” which have met with great success in Athens, San Francisco and Berlin. He has also composed music for the theatrical performances “The Birds (Ornithes)”, “Peace (Eirene)”, “Oedipus at Colonus” and “Oedipus Rex”, which were presented in the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus at the Athens Epidaurus Festival. He has composed music for many theatrical plays ever since; his work indicatively includes the music for the shows “The third wedding wreath”, “Macbeth”, “The Cherry Orchard”, “The Lighthouse”, “Pillowman”, “God of Carnage”, Dostoyevsky’s “Demons”, “Woyzeck”, “Skylight”, “The Idiot” et al. He has composed the score for a series of successful TV programs such as “The Island”, “The word you don’t say”, “Carte Postale” and “Comandos and Dragons,” while he has collaborated with a variety of renowned Greek singers, too. His latest albums include two song cycles performed by the singers Fotini Velesiotou and Eleonora Zouganeli.

Basil Mossaidis Basil N. Mossaidis holds a dual degree in History and Political Science from Eastern College, Radnor, Pa. He is executive director of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), responsible for the overall management and efficient operation of the AHEPA’s Global Headquarters located in Washington since December 2002, having raised millions in charitable donations. He is also co-owner of Philadelphia Cheesesteak Factory, a dining establishment in Alexandria, VA, with his brother. In 1989-1990, he served as Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles—the Junior Order of AHEPA. In October 2010, he was invested an Archon in the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest lay award presented within the Orthodox Church. As an Eagle Scout, he was awarded Alpha Omega Award, the highest honor to an Orthodox Scout and National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. Mr. Mossaidis is married to Jeannette (nee Nevel) and proud father of Kyriakos Mossaidis, and stepfather to Madisen Zaykowski.

MourtzinosArthur Mourtzinos holds an M.D. degree from Boston University School of Medicine, an MBA from Babson College, and a sub-specialty certification in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He is vice-chair of the Lahey Health Medical Center’s Institute of Urology and Director of Continence Center. He is also Associate Professor of Urology at the University School of Medicine and a mentor for Tufts Post-Baccalaureate Mentorship Program. Mr. Mourtzinos holds medical licenses in California, Massachusetts and New Hampshire and has served as co-chairman, vice-chairman, director, executive director and member of several committees at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine as well as the Board of Trustees of Parkland Medical Center. He has authored, co-authored, and edited numerous books and articles in the field of medicine.

PAVLAKIS GeorgeGeorge N. Pavlakis, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Scientist Emeritus, Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, National Cancer Institute, USA. Dr. Pavlakis received his M.D. from the University of Athens, Greece, and his Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He has been associated with the National Cancer Institute since 1980 and is currently Chief of the Human Retrovirus Section. He has directed both basic research and clinical development projects based on his pioneering research achievements. Dr. Pavlakis has extensive research and development experience in molecular biology, virology, and immunology. He is credited with the first production of mature human hormones in mammalian cells by recombinant DNA technologies. He continues this work by the development of new production methods and clinical application of heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15). Dr. Pavlakis co-developed codon/RNA optimization methods that have found wide applications in biotechnology, gene therapy protocols and DNA vaccines. He developed DNA vaccines for HIV and showed they provide strong and long lasting immunity. He developed strong fluorescent GFP mutants that are in wide use in biology. His studies have provided new insights on the biology of several viruses and have aided the development of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. His work has also led to the development of innovative biotechnology drugs and gene therapy procedures. Dr. Pavlakis is member of several professional societies, including the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Association of Physicians. He is a highly cited researcher, has authored more than 200 publications and is inventor of more than 50 US and International patents.

George PechlivanoglouDr. George Pechlivanoglou is a distinguished expert in energy engineering, currently serving as the General Director of Eunice Energy Group in Greece. In this role, he leads the group's strategic development, focusing on innovative technologies such as hydrogen generation and storage, hydrogen fuel cells, and the integration of utility-scale and distributed energy storage systems. Dr. Pechlivanoglou earned his Ph.D. in wind turbine aerodynamics from the Technical University of Berlin, where he also conducted post-doctoral research. His academic journey includes a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Sc. in Renewable Energy Technology from the University of Oldenburg, Germany. His doctoral research centered on wind turbine aeroservoelasticity, contributing significantly to advancements in wind energy technology. With over 18 years of industrial experience in the wind energy sector, Dr. Pechlivanoglou has held pivotal roles, including Technical Director of SMART BLADE GmbH. He has established global collaborations with corporations such as 3M, Vestas, and Nordex. His expertise encompasses innovation, flow simulations (CFD), CAD, wind tunnel testing, problem-solving, project management, multidisciplinary skills, patent analysis and applications, software development, and cost optimization in the design process. Dr. Pechlivanoglou has published over 90 scientific papers and holds more than 13 national and international patents. He is the former Wind Energy Committee Chair at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a member of the German Chamber of Engineers (VDI). He also served as the representative of the Technical University of Berlin at the European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE). At Hellenic American University, Dr. Pechlivanoglou contributes to shaping the future of engineering education by promoting interdisciplinary approaches to solving the climate crisis. He is instrumental in fostering innovation and training the next generation of engineers to address global energy challenges with cutting-edge technologies.

Nick RenierisNikolaos Renieris is an entrepreneur who has started several successful specialty companies for products he has developed. He is currently CEO of National Bio+Green Sciences, an FDA licensed medical device, RX and OTC drug developer; which is the parent company of NBGS PHARMA and MASKEX PPE. Prior to that, he served as CEO of THIRA Trade Corp, a company he co-founded soon after his studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and which manufactures brewing devices and single cup packaging technology. He continues to serve as head of THIRA’s research and development team.

 

Anastasia SideriAnastasia Sideri holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and brings with her 35+ years of professional experience in Marketing, Strategic Communications, Sustainability & Public Affairs fields. She started her career with PROCTER AND GAMBLE and held a series of senior positions in large Greek and multinational companies, including FAGE, BOUTARI, DIAGEO, DHL, the ATHENS INTERNATIIONAL AIRPORT and THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. She held a series of positions of increased responsibility and in her latest role as Communications Director she provided Communications leadership and crisis management in 26 countries in Coca-Cola in Central and Southeast Europe. She retired at the beginning of 2020 and in June 2020 she was appointed as Honorary Professor at the ADAM SMITH School of Business at the University of Glasgow. She is Board member in MY SPECTRUM, a Markeing Sevices Agency and member of the Suprvisory Board of the charitable Foundation ESTIA Agios Nikolaos in Galaxidi, a lifesharing community for people with special needs. She has also served as the Chair of the Women in Business (WIB) Committee of American Chamber of Commerce in Greece. She is a founding member of the Hellenic Network of Corporate Social Responsibility and the Hellenic Communications network and served as Board member in the Hellenic Advertisers Association. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, is NLP trained, speaks 6 languages and is very active in areas related to Effective communications, Crisis communications, CSR, Volunteerism, Ethical leadership, Accountable Marketing, Growth mindset and Women and Youth empowerment. She is a speaker in fora and conferences around the globe in all areas above. She also became a Tedx Talker at the Agricultural University of Athens. She is a mother of two children, 27 and 25 years old, and lives with her husband in Athens Greece.

Constantine SideridisConstantine (Costa) Sideridis is President and CEO of Ferro-Ceramic Grinding Inc., a private Massachusetts firm specializing in the manufacture of advanced ceramic materials supplying the semiconductor, medical, aerospace, defense, electronic, and microwave industries in the US and throughout the world. Mr. Sideridis has served as a trustee and advisor for a variety of organizations, including president of the Alpha Omega Council from 2020-present, partner at Bridgemedica from 2008 to 2018, founding member of the New England CEO network from 2011 to present, trustee at the Brain Science Foundation from 2011 to present, Boston regional co-chair for the National Hellenic Society 2014 to present, and a member of the Order of AHEPA. Mr. Sideridis is also actively involved within the Greek Orthodox Church as he was bestowed an Archon (2015) by the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Order of Saint Andrew, a founding member of The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, a fulfilled member of Leadership 100, a member of the Archdiocesan council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New York, a council member of the Metropolis of Boston in Brookline, chairman of the Metropolis camp golf tournament, and parish council board member and former Stewardship chairman of the St. George parish in Lynn, MA. Mr. Sideridis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering (1992) and Bachelor of Arts in Economics (1992) degrees from Rutgers University. He resides in Salem, MA with his wife Allyson and their 2 boys.

Symeon G. Tsomokos photoSymeon Tsomokos is the founder and President of the Delphi Economic Forum, an independent and impartial non-profit organization committed to promoting innovative ideas for sustainable and competitive growth for Southeast Europe. He established SGT S.A in Athens in 1997, and TGI in Belgrade in 2001 and in Brussels in 2016, of which he has been President ever since. He is the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia in the region of Thessaly in Greece. He is also the founder of the Business Council for Greece-United States, the Greek-Hungarian Business Council, and the Greek-Egyptian Business Council, while in 2006 he established the Greece-Serbia Chamber of Commerce, of which he serves as President. In the past he has served as Commercial Specialist at the US Embassy in Athens (1973-1980) and CEO at the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (1980-1997). He has also served as Secretary General and Treasurer of the Council of the American Chambers of Commerce based in Europe (1990-1993) and as Secretary General of the Business Council Greece-Turkey (1993-1998). He was an Eisenhower Exchange Fellow in 1993.

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