WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2026) — The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) presented the Daughters of Penelope Spirit of Penelope Award to Paulette Poulos, retiring Executive Director of Leadership 100, at the 2026 AHEPA National Banquet at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.
Mike Emanuel, Chief Washington Correspondent for FOX News served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening which, in addition to the honorees, was honored to host Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Antonis Alexandridis, Cypriot Ambassador to the U.S. Evangelos Savva, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Ryan Mackenzie, Thomas Suozzi as well as Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Dina Titus, and Grace Meng.
The evening’s honors were as follows:
- Congresswoman Dina Titus introduced and presented Congresswoman Grace Meng with the 2026 AHEPA Pericles Award.
- Colonel Nicholas P. Vamvakias (ret.) received the inaugural Dilboy Veterans Committee Award, speaking to the importance of Veterans in the AHEPA family before local members of the Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena assisted in awarding over 30 veterans in attendance with the AHEPA Medal for Military Service.
- Dan Mariaschin, retiring CEO of B’nai B’rith International, received the 2026 Academy of Achievement award in Civics and Philanthropy.
- Paulette Poulos, retiring Executive Director of Leadership 100 received the 2026 Daughters of Penelope Spirit Award.
Spirit of Penelope Award
On behalf of the Daughters of Penelope, Grand President Antoinette Marousis-Zachariades had the pleasure of presenting the DOP Spirit of Penelope Award to Paulette Poulos. The Daughters of Penelope Spirit of Penelope award was established in 2023 and is awarded to women who exemplify dignity, perseverance, creativity, and inspire and empower women.
Paulette Poulos is the retiring Executive Director of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund, Inc., a leading charitable membership organization, whose purpose is to support the Greek Orthodox Church in America and advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism. She was appointed to Leadership 100 as Director of Development in 2005, ultimately being named Executive Director in 2011. Her career spans some 60 years of executive leadership, financial development, philanthropy, Church and community service. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros appointed her to a newly established advisory committee, “Senators for Orthodoxy and Hellenism”.
Beginning in 1965 with the Department of Laity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, she moved rapidly to become Associate Director of Youth Ministry in 1970, Director of LOGOS, one of the main stewardship agencies of the Church in 1972, and Administrator for the late Archbishop Iakovos serving from 1984 to 2005 until his passing. Throughout her years of service, Paulette has been a strong advocate and supporter of the Clergy and a true phil-Hellene who has devoted her life to the service of our Church in America and the promotion of Hellenism here and abroad.
Paulette is credited with having raised significant funds for the Greek Orthodox Church of America, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center and Leadership 100.
Her expertise in administration, development, philanthropy, public speaking and membership cultivation in the United States and worldwide earned her recognition and honors from numerous organizations, including the 2006 Honoree of Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC); the 2008 Commendation by the City of New York, Office of the Comptroller; 2008 Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology Women’s Vocational Ministry Award; and the 2014 Hellenic Heritage National Public Service Award presented by the American Hellenic Institute. Paulette received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities at the Hellenic College commencement in 2022. The Greek Government honored Paulette with the Order of Beneficence Award in 2025.
“It was an honor to recognize Paulette’s impactful and distinguished contributions to the life, mission, and stewardship of the Archdiocese. Her many years of professional accomplishments as a role model emphasize philanthropy, Hellenic ideals, and community,” said Grand President Antoinette Marousis-Zachariades.
About the Daughters of Penelope
Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope (DOP) is the first women’s organization of its kind established in the United States. It is an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA).
The mission of the DOP is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.
For more information about the DOP, or any of its programs or projects, please visit www.daughtersofpenelope.org.
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