Great Neck, NY — March 8, 2026 — The Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) of the Pancyprian Association of America hosted its Annual Gala on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck, New York, honoring Eftihia Pylarinou Piper, President of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and Senior Vice President of Red Apple Group, as the 2026 Woman of the Year.
The event brought together prominent members of the Greek and Cypriot American communities, business leaders, and representatives of numerous organizations to celebrate Ms. Pylarinou Piper’s remarkable career and her longstanding commitment to leadership, philanthropy, and the advancement of women.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Consul General of Cyprus Kyriakos Pogiatzis and Consul General of Greece Ifigenia Kanara, as well as Paulette Poulos, Executive Director of Leadership 100; Phil Christopher, President of the Pancyprian Association of America; Kyriakos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot Societies; and representatives of leading organizations including the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic Medical Society of New York, the Hellenic American Bankers Association, the Hellenic Lawyers Association, AHEPA, the Cyprus American Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic Congress, Flagstar Bank, and Alma Bank.
The evening was organized by the dedicated leadership of the Pancyprian WIN Division, under the presidency of Savvy Asprou, together with the members of its board.
In a deeply personal and inspiring acceptance speech, Ms. Pylarinou Piper reflected on her journey from Athens to New York and the influences that shaped her life and career. She spoke of the lessons learned from her parents, her determination to pursue education and opportunity, and the challenges women faced in the financial industry when she began her career in the early 1970s.
Arriving in New York on a scholarship from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, she worked full-time while attending Queens College and Adelphi University at night, ultimately building a distinguished career in banking and finance in the United States while raising a family.
Her groundbreaking achievements continued when she was later appointed by the Greek government as the first woman to lead a bank in Greece, heading the country’s largest investment and development bank (ETBA Bank) during a critical period of economic restructuring. She later founded her own investment and asset management firm and moved back to the US where she has remained active in international business and philanthropy.
Today, Ms. Pylarinou Piper serves as President of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, where she works to strengthen economic and professional ties between the United States and Greece while supporting education, mentorship, and opportunities for younger generations.Her career continues as Sr VP at Red Apple Group, a conglomerate with diverse holdings in energy, real estate, supermarkets and media.
In her remarks, she emphasized that the recognition represented not only her own journey but the collective progress of women over the past several decades.
“When I look around this room tonight, I see remarkable women who lead businesses, raise families, support communities, and inspire others every day. In many ways, this recognition belongs to all of us.”
She also reflected on the progress women have made in professional fields while acknowledging that important challenges remain, including closing the wage gap and increasing women’s representation in leadership roles.
Closing her remarks, she encouraged the next generation of women to pursue their ambitions with courage and determination.
“The road to your dreams is never straight. It has many turns and obstacles. Each turn teaches you something and makes you stronger.Continue moving forward and the road will lead you to your destination.”
The evening concluded with dinner and dancing as guests celebrated Ms. Pylarinou Piper’s achievements and her continued dedication to community leadership and mentorship.
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