ANNUAL REPORT 2016 The human capital of Greece is its single best hope for the future. Giving young people who face a 50% unemployment rate in Greece the opportunity to receive training, internships, mentorship, and compensation is a priority of THI. Together, we can build a better tomorrow for Greece, and give the hundreds of thousands, who have been forced to leave to find work, the possibility to return to their homeland. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 1 2 3 THI New Leaders The 2nd Annual Venture Fair The 3rd Annual Gala 5 13 29 4 5 6 THI Programs THI Around the World Friends of THI 51 77 87 7 8 9 THI Board Member Profile: THI Donor Profiles Financials Corinne Mentzelopoulos 91 99 103 ON THE COVER: The many points of light of THI’s partners, friends and beneficiaries EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Bill Clinton, Honorary Chairman Andrew N. Liveris, Chairman Dean Dakolias George A. David Muhtar Kent Nicholas Lazares George M. Logothetis Dennis Mehiel Alexander Navab John Pappajohn George Sakellaris George P. Stamas, President Harry Wilson Father Alexander Karloutsos, Honorary Advisor Te fag of the Φιλική Εταιρεία, BOARD MEMBERS the “Society of Friends.” Maria Allwin Drake Behrakis It has the letters "ΗΕΑ" (Ή ΕλευθερίΑ") John P. Calamos, Sr. and "ΗΘΣ" ("Ή ΘάνατοΣ") Aris Candris John Catsimatidis which are a shorthand for the words Achilles Constantakopoulos “Ελευθερία ή θάνατος” – “Freedom or Death.” Jeremy Downward William P. Doucas John D. Georges Arianna Hufngton Constantine Karides Savas Konstantinides John S. Koudounis Amb. Eleni T. Kounalakis Ted Leonsis Alexander Macridis George Marcus Panos Marinopoulos Corinne Mentzelopoulos C. Dean Metropoulos Nick Mitaros Nikos Mouyiaris Nicholas G. Pappas Michael Psaros Nikos Stathopoulos George Svokos George Tsunis Oli Mazi! The Chairman's Message Andrew N. Liveris Dear Friends of THI, Hellenes and Philhellenes All: The Hellenic Initiative is now well into its fourth year, and the Greek economic crisis is still roiling. Perhaps the people of Greece have become more used to the conditions of the crisis; certainly this leaves some observers feeling that Greece has simply accepted its diminishment. And the world is no longer focused on Greece as it was a year ago. The flow of refugees has temporarily staunched, the Brexit has replaced the Grexit, and many within the country have become numb to the politics of it all. But this is no time for complacency. This is no time to relax our eforts. The people of Greece are enduring hardships at an increasingly alarming rate. People are losing hope, and when hope is lost, the return to any semblance of normalcy becomes the most difcult. This is why 2016 has been THI’s most active year for our various philanthropic and entrepreneurial initiatives to date, over $2.2 million dollars in grants and sustaining programs. Indeed, 2016 has been the year of our largest grant-making to date, thanks to all of the supporters of our eforts. Yet despite our best eforts to demonstrate new paradigms of self- help, growth, and development, we cannot meet the demand. More and more throughout Greece, there is less and less. Our homeland needs the Diaspora now more than ever. And this is not the first time the Diaspora has played such a vital role. When Greece faced that greatest of challenges of throwing of the Ottoman yoke, Greeks of the Diaspora joined the famous Φιλική Εταιρεία, the “Society of Friends.” This secret society (whose symbol is on the opposite page) comprised some of the greatest names of the Greek War of Independence. They had one goal: the liberation of Greece, and their motto was “Freedom or Death!” Drastic words indeed, but are these times really so diferent? Greece is dying from within. We Hellenes of the Diaspora and Philhellenes around the world are in possession not only of financial means of assistance, but of models of economic success and revitalization that can breathe new life into our Ellada. The Greeks of 1821 rose up to proclaim their freedom; we also must rise to help ensure the economic recovery and freedom of Greece, so that the country may thrive again. Our Greece is a continuous civilization of thousands of years that have seen many and diverse crises. We can overcome this one too. We don’t need a secret society, but we do need a “Society of Friends” – friends of Greece and friends of Greeks. Everyone is welcome to help. Join us! Oli Mazi, Andrew N. Liveris TheHellenicInitiative.com 3 THE THI NEW LEADERS ARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF DIASPORA PACESETTERS. IF THE DIASPORA IS TO REMAIN COHESIVE WITH ITS HELLENIC IDENTITY AND BE A FORCE FOR GOOD IN GREECE, THERE CAN BE NO DELAY. THI IS ENCOURAGING MILLENNIALS TO ENGAGE NOW! THI New Leaders 1 THI New Leaders in Boston and New York This year, The Hellenic Initiative afnity and love of Greece, are able founded the THI New Leaders. The to donate their time, talent, and THI New Leaders is an international treasure to support THI’s programs group of like-minded young leaders on the ground and truly make a who share in THI’s vision of funding tangible diference. crisis relief programs, encouraging The THI New Leaders kicked- entrepreneurs, and creating jobs off on February 4, 2016 at Pier A for Greece and Greeks. THI’s New Harborhouse in New York. Over 220 Leaders are donating their time, Greek American and Philhellene skills, and expertise in helping to young professionals gathered for build a better future for Greece. a fun evening of networking, food, Since THI’s founding, the drink, and conversation. Young Board of Directors recognized that leaders from around the northeast group expands, events will be held young, driven individuals are the attended in support of THI’s in Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles, people that will be most valuable mission of empowering the future and New York. These first New in driving economic recovery in of Greece. Those who attended Leaders events in New York and Greece. They also recognized that had the opportunity to learn more Boston raised nearly $40,000, in order to sustain the future work about THI’s various crisis relief and which translated through matches to of The Hellenic Initiative, the best entrepreneurship programs and how almost $120,000 for THI’s program and brightest young leaders are they can become involved. with Prolepsis/Diatrofi, feeding paramount to its future growth. The The THI New Leaders hosted schoolchildren throughout Greece. Greek Diaspora has been extremely a second event in Boston at The New Leaders are building a successful, and young Greeks of Committee Restaurant with over grassroots network throughout the the Diaspora are no exception. The 120 people in attendance. Our Diaspora and are helping to bridge THI New Leaders are an avenue for numbers are growing daily, with the gap with Greeks in Greece and young professionals to “network with over 200 New Leaders planning around the world. THI’s New Leaders purpose” in support of Greece. The to attend THI’s Fourth Annual Gala will be able to lend a hand on a wide New Leaders, who have a strong held at the Waldorf Astoria. As the variety of programs. Service trips are being organized where New 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 The New Leaders are building a grassroots network throughout the Diaspora and are helping to bridge the gap with Greeks in Greece and around the world. Leaders can support some of our crisis relief initiatives by helping to administer medicine, provide support at soup kitchens, and spend time with sick and disabled children. Most importantly, the New Leaders will develop a bridge between young professionals in the Diaspora with budding entrepreneurs and professionals in Greece through mentorship, helping to develop a new generation of business leaders. New Leaders in the Diaspora, like the Board Members of The Hellenic Initiative, want to help Greeks to have the same opportunities that we all enjoy and take for granted. TheHellenicInitiative.com 7 NEW LEADERS COMMITTEE Peter Alemis Peter Corsell Daphne Konstantinides Christopher Allwin Yiannis Emmanoualidis Harry Koulos Michael Apostolides Manny Friangiadakis Katie Lazares Taso Argyros Chris Goulakos Nicholas P. Lazares Emilia Bechrakis Stephanie Kacoyanis Zach Leonsis Eunice Buhler Michael Karloutsos Sofia Lingos John Catsimatidis, Jr. Victoria Katsarou Tatiana Lingos-Webb Pantelis J. Constantinides Nick Katsoulis Alexandra Liveris 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Anthony Liveris George Petrocheilos Paulina Stamatelos Gregory Maniatis Peter Psiachos Alexandra Svokos Meredith Nelson Maria Raptis Elizabeth Svokos Chrys Nikopoulos Constantine Skarvelis Paulina Stamatelos George Papaliodis Paul G. and Jason Tsoukas Nicholas Papapolitis Stephanie X. Stamas Konstantinos Vasilakakis Christos Perakis Stephanie G. Stamas TheHellenicInitiative.com 9 These first New Leaders events in New York and Boston raised nearly 40,000 10 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 This $40,000 translated through matches to almost 120,000 for THI’s program with Prolepsis / Diatrofi’s which provides daily lunches for schoolchildren throughout Greece. TheHellenicInitiative.com 11 IN THE MIDST OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS, THI IS BRINGING FOREIGN INVESTMENT TO GREECE FOR THE NEW GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS AND START-UPS. THE ATHENS VENTURE FAIR IS A GROUND-BREAKING PARADIGM FOR DOING BUSINESS IN GREECE. The 2nd Annual Venture Fair 2 The 2nd Annual Venture Fair ATHENS HILTON HOTEL - JUNE 28, 2016 Once again, The Hellenic upcoming businesses presented their Initiative brought foreign investment business plans and visions in a 12-minute and investors to Greece through its pitch and interlocutory in front of a Second Annual Venture Fair. Returning group of 120 investors from US, Europe, to the Athens Hilton on June 28, Australia, and Canada. Before and after 2016, THI brought fifteen promising the presentations, the participants companies together with more than 120 had the chance to network, receive international investors.