On Tuesday 6 June, the Hellenic Initiative (THI) organized a Gala Cocktail Celebration at the Zappeion Megaron to pay homage to Vardis J. Vardinoyannis, Chairman of the Board of Motor Oilfor his lifelong contribution to business and philanthropy, and to celebrate THI’s philanthropic and economic development work in Greece over the past 11 years.
This is THI’s second anniversary gala aimed at honoring distinguished personalities for their generous contributions to the development of the country, through their professional achievements and their positive impact on Greek society.
President of THI, Andrew N. Liverisdeclared”It is with great pride and admiration that we come together to celebrate the remarkable work of the Hellenic Initiative in Greece and pay tribute to a true beacon of leadership in business and philanthropy, Mr. Vardis J. Vardinoyannis. Tonight we come together to reflect on the collective power of individuals and organizations united in the quest for a stronger and more prosperous Greece. THI here reaffirms the commitment of the Greek Diaspora to building a better future for generations to come.»
The event hosted dignitaries and THI Board members determined to mobilize the Greek Diaspora and Philhellenic communities around the world to promote the country’s image and invest in its future.
Member of the Executive Committee of THI and President of ATHINA23, John S. Koudouniswho presented the award to Mr. Vardinoyannis, said: “It is an honor for me to have been chosen as president of ATHINA23. Tonight was a wonderful event, our most successful Athens event to date, helping to support all the great work being done by the Hellenic Initiative. Our honored tonight, Mr. Vardis Vardinoyannis, and his family have supported and contributed to so many Hellenic causes over the past 50 years, including many THI beneficiaries. Tonight’s impact would not be possible without the tremendous support of all of our amazing sponsors who will help us give back to our primary focus of crisis relief, entrepreneurship and economic development.»
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Were present at the event Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of THI, George P. Stamas, Member of the Board of Directors of ΤΗΙ and Co-Chairman of ATHINA23, George J. Anderson, Member of the Board of THI and President of THI VentureFair , Nikos Stathopoulos, THI International Ambassador and Zappeion Event Co-Chair, Tatiana Blatnik, Michael Printzos, THI Greece Country Manager and THI VentureFair Co-Chair, and Peter Poulos, THI International Ambassador and Zappeion Event Co-Chair , among others.
Building on 11 years of impact, THI has become the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world and received the support of thousands of Greeks, Greeks in the Diaspora and Philhellenes. In an effort to fulfill its mission to invest, empower and encourage a better future for Greece, THI has made direct investments of more than $20 million to entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profit organizations and social enterprises in Greece. On the social level, THI distributed more than 2 million meals to individuals and families in need and provided essential medical support to thousands of Greeks. With a strong focus on Greece’s economic development, THI has helped create more than 4,000 jobs reverse the flow of young professionals out of the country and has supported over 200 startups access capital networks and expertise.
About the Hellenic Initiative
Our Mission: The Hellenic Initiative is a global non-profit organization that brings together Greeks in the Diaspora and Philhellenes to invest in the future of Greece through programs focused on crisis relief, entrepreneurship and economic development. We are THI, a global Greek diaspora movement.
