Contributing Organizations

Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to civic engagement and leadership HALC has become a national Greek American network of distinguished leaders who encourage innovative leadership, advocacy, education and philanthropy. https://hellenicleaders.com

EST 2014

MG Design is a graphic design provider that has completed several branding projects for local, regional and national organizations in Greece and the U .S ., including Georgopoulos Service (Athens), SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology, National Hellenic Students Association, Hellenic Book Club of New York Services include logo design, business cards, banners (for storefront awnings, step-and-repeats, event fliers and more). menios85@gmail.com

EST.2017

Hellenic Aesthetic is a jewelry and lifestyle brand that embodies the pace and ethos of Greece. As America’s first Greek fashion retailer, they offer a selection of Greek designers whose unique products reflect the beauty and vitality of Greek culture. The company’s mission is to promote Greek craftsmanship, travel and culture by raising awareness and accessibility of unique Greek products to the global market www hellenicaesthetic com

EST.2020

RARE CUT is a New York-based brand that aims to make men’s fashion accessible, affordable, and – just as its name implies – rare With a specific focus on men’s pocket squares, RARE CUT aims to be the go-to brand associated with the menswear item www .rarecut.com

Live Mazi is the top source for Greek concerts and events around the world. Live Mazi puts client needs first and is a fast, easy and safe solution to buying and receiving tickets to all kinds of events www livemazi com

EST.2022

EST.2022

Next Gen Greeks of New York is a brand new initiative launched under the aegis of the Consulate General of Greece in New York and with the support of all the major community leaders of the Greek American community The goal of NextGen GNY is to unite the Greek American community, consolidating efforts in true support of all its members Activities include a focus on arts and culture, professional women, young professionals, and more. www .linkedin.com/groups/12740962

Special Thanks

For their extensive technical support: Philo4Thought’s Julius Villanueva, Anna Pierratos, Adonis Takos St. John’s University’s Erik Sanchez, Jay Robinson Eileen Jounakos

HACC: John Papaspanos

Event Hosts

Opening Remarks

Consul General Konstantinos Konstantinou (Private International Law at Paris II Panthéon-Assas, Sorbonne University, Paris) has been a member of the Hellenic Diplomatic Service since 1999 From 2000-2002, he served at the Political Department Directorate for European Countries in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs; from 2002-2005 served the political and consular sections of the Embassy of Greece in Washington D C ; from 2006-2008, he served in the Diplomatic Cabinet of Prime Minister Karamanlis of Greece; from 2008-2012, he was appointed political Counsellor and Consul at the Embassy of Greece in Buenos Aires; from 2012-2014 he addressed high-priority issues for the Political Department for Cyprus; from 2014-2018 he was Consul General of Greece in São Paulo, Brazil; from 2018-2019 he served the Political Department for Arab Countries & the Middle East (including Syria, Iraq and Iran); from 2019-2022, he was the Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis In August 2022 he was appointed Consul General of Greece in New York. The NextGen Greeks initiative is one of his many plans to consolidate Greek Americans in New York and the surrounding areas

Networking Host & Closing Remarks

John Papaspanos, Esq . (J.D ., University of Pennsylvania Law School (2014); Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2014); Fulbright Scholar at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece) is Partner at the international law firm of Baker Botts LLP where he specializes in domestic and international project financings involving energy and infrastructure projects and companies He represents private equity sponsors, developers, independent power producers, public and private companies, lenders, financial institutions and investors on complex and novel project finance transactions, including renewable energy, conventional energy, commodities financing and infrastructure transactions In philanthropic circles he is well known as the Director of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce Innovators, a Board Member of the Hellenic Lawyers Association and one of the lead coordinators of the NextGen Greeks initiative supported by the Consulate General of Greece in NY

Event Management

Chris Salboudis (Certified Life Coach, New Skills Academy (2020); M.A . English Language & Literature (2000) and M A Philosophy (1995), Columbia University; B A , English/Philosophy, M C L with honors, St John’s Univ (1994), USA All-American Scholar (1994)) is the Founding CEO and Director of the Thought initiative Additionally, she is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Comparative Literature, Environmental Studies, etc at SJU (1996-pres ) several other universities including and SUNY FIT ; Administrative Manager of the Columbia University Center for Genome Technology & Biomolecular Engineering pres ); and writes for several local journals Prior, Chris served as Assistant of Liberal Arts & Sciences at St John’s University (2001-2003) and mentored countless youth through the NIH -funded Minority Action Plan (2005-2010) and various Christian/Career Missions (1992-pres.). She is completing doctoral work at Columbia Teachers College and has given several presentations on Pedagogical Communities & Resources, Educational Engineering, Ethical Research Compliance, Aesthetics, Metaphysics, Business Ethics, Equity for Marginalized Populations and related topics at major academic forums across the US and Europe She has earned various academic and community service awards over the years for her advocacy of women, young professionals, and underrepresented minority communities.