The Hellenic Initiative (THI) Third Annual Banquet honored two prominent members of Leadership 100, John A. Catsimatidis and George Marcus, with the Hellenic Leadership Award for their philanthropy and vision. A third Hellenic Leadership Award went to the Agnes Varis Trust, posthumously to the woman who was a pioneer in the pharmaceutical industry. The award was presented to Trustee George Zvokos by her nephew Ted Leonsis, also a member of Leadership 100 and renowned as a senior executive of AOL, venture capitalist, sports entrepreneur and filmmaker. Some 650 leaders from the Greek Communities in the United States, Canada and Australia attended the event, which took place on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at 4 World Trade Center in New York City.

The theme was “Empowering the Future of Greece” and was attended by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Greek Minister for Development, competitiveness and Shipping, George Stathakis, as well as European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos. Tsipras outlined the reforms he initiated in Greece and invited those present to help build a new Greece. He was introduced by Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who with her Husband Theodore, also in attendance, are members of Leadership 100.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios also addressed the event, which included presentations by Andrew Liveris, THI Chairman and Founder and President, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company, Muhtar Kent, THI Co-Founder and Chairman and CEO of The Coca Cola Company, and George Stamas, THI Co-Founder and a member of Leadership 100. Other Co-Founders are George David also a member of Leadership 100, and George Logothetis.

Catsimatidis of New York City, Founder and Chairman of the Red Apple Group, was introduced and presented with the award by his son, John Jr. and daughter, Andrea, both members of Leadership 100, while Marcus of San Francisco, Founder and Chairman of the Marcus & Millichap Company, was introduced and presented with the award by Ambassador Eleni Tskakopoulos-Kounalakis, also a member of Leadership 100, and his daughter, Demetra.

THI’s Annual Banquet is a fundraising event that supports its mission of economic recovery and renewal in Greece. All money raised supports its programs focusing on crisis relief, entrepreneurship and economic development.  The event raised a total of $2.5 million. Since its founding in 2012, more than $10 million has been raised by 900 donors that has provided food and aid for 21,000 individuals, vaccinations for 7,000 children, medical and dental services for 10,000 individuals, as well as funding for Greek business start-ups and internships.