Leadership 100 Concludes 34th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida:$5.8 Million in Grants Approved, Executive Director Announces Retirement

The 34th Leadership 100 Annual Conference, which took place on February 20-23, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, in Orlando, Florida, concluded with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Maitland, Florida on Sunday, February 23.  

In a significant action, the Executive Committee, meeting on Wednesday, February 19, approved $5,798,000 for 32 new and prior year grant recommendations for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and related and affiliated organizations, submitted by the Grant Committee, chaired by Justin Bozonelis. Upon distribution, total grants by Leadership 100 since its founding would reach a historic $83,574,503, according to Demetrios G. Logothetis, Chairman.

Leadership 100’s long-time and widely acclaimed Executive Director, Paulette Poulos, announced her retirement effective February 2026 to both the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, informing the full membership at the General Assembly on February 21, to a standing ovation.

In acknowledgment of her service, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, in his remarks at the Grand Banquet on Saturday, February 22, said, “One more reason to celebrate tonight is not a bad thing! And let us not forget the inimitable Paulette Poulos, who has guided this organization for two decades. We are indebted to her not only for this, but for her sixty years of devoted, unselfish service to Christ and His Holy Church.”

Paulette Poulos has a long history of service and contributions to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, dating back to 1965 when she was appointed by Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America to the Department of Laity. Over the years, she has served in the Youth and Stewardship departments as well as the Director of LOGOS. In 1984, she was appointed as the Executive Assistant to the Office of the late Archbishop Iakovos, a position she held until his passing in 2005. She served Leadership 100 for 20 years, beginning as Development Director in 2005, becoming Interim from 2007 to 2008, Acting from 2009 to 2011, and Executive Director in 2012.

With news of the announcement, Poulos was praised in the Greek Community and press for her skills and dedication and credited with the advancement of Leadership 100 over the past two decades. The Executive Committee approved the formation of a search committee to recruit a new Executive Director, chaired by Argyris Vassiliou, Chairman Emeritus.

Paulette Poulos, Leadership 100 Executive Director, announces her retirement to the General Assembly at the 34th Annual Leadership 100 Conference, as Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis looks on.

Logothetis, in his opening remarks, said, “We now embark upon our future in fulfilling our mission, beginning with significant growth in our portfolio, membership, and total grants.  A great sign of our future promise is that our conferences, like this one, continue to attract record numbers of members and their guests, participants of all ages, including several generations of families.”

At the Grand Banquet, The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence was presented to Harry Psaros, Sr., Nick Katsoris, and Alexis Christoforous. Earlier, the Award was also presented to Col. Matthew Bogdanos, while The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Achievement was presented to Eva Konstantakos.

Other events include the Welcome Reception; New Member/First Timers Orientation; the Annual General Assembly; Young Professionals’ Private Dialogue with Archbishop Elpidophoros, organized by Alexandra Lambiris; the Hellenic Glendi; the 14th Annual Leadership 100 Walk/Run, Mike Manatos, Executive Committee Member, Race Director assisted by Fr. Nicholas Andruchow; the Golf and Tennis Tournaments and Awards, organized by John Aivazoglou; the Obelisk and Icon Photo Presentation; Children’s Program, organized by Maria Pardalis and directed onsite by Marika Christopher.

Leadership 100 Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis, far left, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, center, and Leadership 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos, far right, present The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence to (l to r) Nick Katsoris, Harry Psaros, Sr., and Alexis Christoforous.