Nikos Mouyiaris, Founder & CEO of MANA Products and a member of Leadership 100, was honored with the Distinguished Merit Award by the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce at its Annual Award Dinner held on June 16, 2017 in Manhattan.

Mouyiaris was cited for his achievements as an entrepreneur, a leader and fighter for the Cyprus cause, as a supporter of education and culture, as the founder of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, and as the benefactor of many institutions in the Greek American and Cypriot American communities. In a video message, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades praised the role of the honoree in support of Cyprus and on the role of the Chamber in promoting relations between the US and Cyprus.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, referred to Mouyiaris’ contribution and his passion for Cypriot freedom, support for education, and his generosity. US Representative Carolyn Maloney referred to the achievements of Mouyiaris and noted that many of the branded cosmetics are produced by his company MANA, and he is an example of achieving the American Dream.

Mouyiaris, with his wife, Carol, received the award from the President of the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce Nicolas Nicolaou.  In receiving the Distinguished Merit Award, Nikos Mouyiaris expressed his gratitude, noting that everything that he accomplished was due to the fact that he had the support of his parents, his aunts and uncles, and the support of his wife, Carol, and his daughter, Ariana. “I am one who strongly believes in the power of the Hellenic spirit. I’m one who believes in our Greek values. A plain soldier, a single unit in a group which could ultimately become a powerful force in our community and the Greek Diaspora. A force which can truly help our community, Cyprus and Greece, do better,” Mouyiaris said.

In other remarks, The US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kathleen A. Doherty, pointed out that she is a daughter of immigrants and that she feels the same pride that the Greeks feel about their achievements and the achievements of the honoree. She noted that serving in Cyprus for the last two years has been the best experience of her diplomatic career. Referring to the upcoming unity talks in Switzerland, she pointed out that they might be the best opportunity of the last 43 years to solve the Cyprus problem.

Mouyiaris was also praised by PSEKA President Philip Christopher, The Executive Director of the Chamber, Despina Axiotakis, Fox Business Network news reporter Nicole Petallides, who co-organized the event, New York State Assembly member and mayoral hopeful Nicole Malliotakis, New York State Senator Michael Gianaris, and the President of the Young Professionals of the Chamber, Christina Shailas, who pointed out that Mouyiaris is a teacher and mentor to many of them, raising their hopes.

Among others in attendance were New York State Assembly member Aravella Simotas, New York City Council Member Costa Constantinides, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations Ambassador Kornelios Korneliou, Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Dionysios Kalamvrezos, Consuls General of Greece and Cyprus in New York Konstantinos Koutras and Vasilios Philippou, respectively.