John Koudounis Honored at Hellenic Hearts Gala

President and Chief Executive Officer of Calamos Investments John Koudounis was honored with the Philotimo Award at the Hellenic Hearts Gala at Ellis Preserve in Newtown Square, PA on June 9, 2024. He is a prominent member of Leadership 100.

 Hellenic Hearts is a non-profit organization created to establish a need-based safety net for Hellenes in the Greater Philadelphia area. John Aivazoglou, President of Hellenic Hearts, is also a member of Leadership 100.

 Koudounis was honored by Hellenic Hearts for his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to philanthropy, extending beyond his professional roles to active involvement in community and religious organizations. He was cited for exemplifying the values of Philotimo through his contributions to Leadership 100, The Metropolis of Chicago Foundation, and numerous other charitable endeavors. In 2020 he led a coalition of Chicago’s business leaders to raise more than $1 million in a humanitarian campaign for COVID-19 relief and recovery.

 “Everyone has rallied in support of our beloved city to assist our residents who are struggling in the COVID-19 crisis. It is truly a campaign for Chicago, by Chicago,” Koudounis said at the time.

Past award recipients Mike Manatos, left, and Drake Behrakis, right, join John Koudounis, who is holding the Philotimo Award.

 The gala was not merely an event but an embodiment of philanthropy. It encouraged attendees to continue their contributions towards positively impacting the world. The event supported The Filodoxia Scholar Program, Emergency Aid, Hellenic College Holy Cross, the National Hellenic Society, and the Oxi Day Foundation.

 Hellenic Hearts is focusing on youth through its Educational Guidance Program. With mentoring, networking, admissions counseling, and professional programs, Hellenic Hearts’ Educational Guidance Program (EGP) provides education-to-career guidance to Hellenic-American Youth.

This program aims to promote higher education and increase participants’ professional success.

In 2023 philanthropist Drake Behrakis, Chairman of the National Hellenic Society (NHS), and a member of Leadership 100 who served on its Board of Trustees, was honored with the Philotimo Award. In 2022, the first Philotimo Award was presented to Mike Manatos, President of Manatos & Manatos in Washington D.C., who serves on the Executive Committee of Leadership 100.