FROM GREGORY C. PAPPAS Founder & Chairman Greek America Foundation The Greek America Foundation is a non-profit organization that I founded in 1997 with a mission to “promote, preserve and perpetuate the Greek culture, history and heritage in the Americas.” With a series of publications, programs, concerts, special events and institutional endeavors, the Foundation seeks to bring elements of Greek culture, history and heritage—also known as Hellenism—to the forefront of mainstream America, making it a relevant component of our followers’ everyday life. The ideals we espouse as an organization are central to our DNA as Greeks. They are core components of our heritage like innovation (kainotomia), paideia, and philanthropia. The Hellenic Legacy Scholarship fund sends students to Greece for fullsemester study abroad experiences at US-accredited academic institutions and our internship program offers life-changing experiences to students to live and work abroad for an entire summer, simultaneously expanding their professional networks and opportunities for personal growth. Paideia and personal growth for the young people of our community is core to our mission. The Gabby Awards (Greek America’s Best and Brightest Stars) have become our signature event that celebrates arête (excellence) and honors individuals who have touched their industries and those around them. Our Forty Under 40 awards recognize young leaders from throughout North America who not only strive for excellence in all they do, but who serve their communities through emphasis on philanthropy and community service.
Our National Innovation Conference is an international gathering of opinion leaders, business people and innovators who, together with an audience of like-minded people, create a modern day Athenian agora where ideas are exchanged. The Foundation also publishes Greek America Magazine, the continent’s most widely circulated periodical for followers of all things Greek and features a diverse range of stories consistent with the mission of the Foundation, as well as news and announcements for the Foundation’s donors and supporters. This event —now in its third year and growing — was the brainchild of a foundation supporter from Toronto: Lee Polydor, whose vision and support have enabled the growth of Greek Film & Foto Week into a major cultural institution. None of this would be possible without his personal vision and support, as well as that of his company, Queen Street Partners. We are grateful for the continued support and participation of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, who is, for a second year now, also financial sponsor of our efforts and important partner in what we strive to accomplish. Finally, the people of the Greek America Foundation who donate their talents and time to our cause is what differentiates us from everyone else. We have an army of dedicated people who support this vision, including Anthony Koukos who freely and exuberantly gave of him time and energy to curate this show.