New York, NY – June 21, 2025 – Hellenic Professional Women (HPW) hosted its annual Woman Empower & Elevate Brunch at Anassa Taverna in Midtown Manhattan, celebrating the achievements of Hellenic women and recognizing the next generation of leaders.
The highlight of the brunch was the recognition of Yanna Darilis, a Greek-American media pioneer, wellness advocate, and cultural ambassador. With more than 25 years of experience in television broadcasting, Darilis has worked as an anchor, producer, director, and writer across both American and Greek networks. She is currently Talent Executive Producer and Director of Brand Creative at 77 WABC Radio, where she is launching the Healing the Nation podcast and health and wellness report. She also serves as President and major shareholder of New Greek Television, a 40-year legacy channel that continues to promote Hellenism across the diaspora.
Darilis’s career highlights include serving as Master of Ceremonies at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, hosting on NBC’s Today Show and E! Entertainment, contributing to Thrive Global, and lecturing internationally on the Mediterranean diet and preventative health.
Introducing her, Scholarship Chair and HPW Vice President, Dr. Evelyn Lolis stated: “When we gather under the Hellenic Professional Women’s umbrella, we are not just attending another networking event. We are celebrating women as torchbearers of culture, legacy, and excellence. Yanna Darilis is an exemplar of the Hellenic spirit.”
In her keynote remarks, Darilis inspired attendees with a message of perseverance, authenticity, and self-care:
“Be yourself. Aspire to be a better human being every day. The pursuit of happiness is an ancient Greek ideal, and it begins with taking care of yourself, body and mind.”
The brunch also honored five scholarship recipients, Anthoula Pavlidis, Vasiliki Asimelli, Maria Marinakis, Mariella Andrews, and Fotini Anastopoulos, recognized for their academic excellence and leadership potential.
HPW Founder Maria Frentzias emphasized that the brunch reflects the organization’s mission: “Our goal is to empower and elevate women in their professional journeys while preserving and promoting Hellenic values for future generations.”
The Empower & Elevate Brunch reaffirmed HPW’s role as a driving force in supporting Greek-American women professionals, fostering mentorship, and creating opportunities for growth across industries. The scholarships were made possible through contributions from Hellenic businesses and organizations who support the cause.
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