TheLeader_VOLUME_XXVII_ISSUE1_Spring2026 - Flipbook - Page 30
NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS
The Hellenic Initiative 13th Annual NY Gala
Honors John Payiavlas, Raises $2.7 Million for Greece
and also served as a member of the
Board of Trustees. Stamas thanked
Manatos, the staff and the board as well
as “all those giants on whose shoulders
we stand, most particularly the one we
honor and celebrate tonight, my dear
friend, John Payiavlas. Thank you, John,
for showing so many of us the way. And
thank you, John, for helping me,
personally, really understand the gift of
humility and philanthropy.”
Members of the Payiavlas family with honoree
John A. Payiavlas at The Hellenic Initiative New York Gala.
Photo by Eleni Sakellis
The Hellenic Initiative (THI) 13th Annual New York
Gala was held on December 6th at Cipriani Wall Street
in Manhattan. More than $2.7 million was raised by THI
through the Gala and related events in support of THI’s
vetted humanitarian and economic development
programs in Greece. The unique Greek night of
inspiration, community, and philanthropy also honored
John A. Payiavlas with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement
Award. Payiavlas is Chairman Emeritus of Leadership
100, to which he, his wife, Marisa, and family are
longtime members.
THI Executive Director Mike Manatos, a member of
Leadership 100, together with his wife Laura, serves on
the Leadership 100 Executive Committee and gave the
welcoming remarks. “After my first six months on the
job, my greatest surprise has been the sheer depth and
breadth of THI’s impact on the lives of our brothers and
sisters in Greece. In THI’s first 13 years, together, we
have raised over $38 million for worthy organizations,”
Manatos said.
Manatos served as MC for the start of the program
before passing the baton to THI Co-Founder
George P. Stamas. Stamas, a member of Leadership 100,
together with his wife, Georgia, gave the keynote address
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His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
of America gave the Invocation and
shared his greetings, noting that “John
and his family have manifested what is
best and brightest in the ‘omogenia’, and
in the Church, throughout a lifetime of philanthropy,
lifetime of generosity and devotion, and above all else,
integrity. We are so proud of you John, your wonderful
spouse Marisa, and your family – for all the
extraordinary contributions you have made through the
decades.”
THI Co-Founder and Chairman Andrew Liveris, a
member of Leadership 100, together with his wife, Paula,
shared remarks via video.
THI Board Vice Chair and Gala Co-Chair John
Koudounis, a member of Leadership 100, together with
his wife, Joanne, said꞉ “THI’s impact reaches across every
corner of Greece, from urban centers to remote villages,
from job creation to humanitarian aid, from youth
empowerment to healthcare. We are delivering results
that matter.”
THI Board Vice Chair and Gala Co-Chair Michael
Psaros, a member of Leadership 100, together with his
wife, Robin, serves on the Leadership 100 Board of
Trustees, wished all the best to those celebrating their
Name Day on December 6, St. Nicholas’ Feast Day, and
noted that “we’re all Greek-Americans and Greeks here
this evening. Helping others is essential to our culture
