The Leadership 100 29th Annual Conference, which ran from February 20 to 23, 2020 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, saw a record attendance of 525 members and their guests. Under the theme, “Leadership 100 Moves Forward”, the Conference centered on renewed support for the ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the new decade. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the Leadership 100 Conference for the first time and delivered an inspirational message on his vision for the future of the Church. In a historic action, the Board of Trustees approved a grant of $5 million for St. Nicholas National Shrine, one of the highest priorities of His Eminence.
The keynote speaker, Michael Kratsios, United States Chief Technology Officer, spoke of the importance of the United States as an open society leading the world in technology and cited how his Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage inspired his work and understanding of the interrelationship of science and religion.
PHOTOS: © GOA/DIMITRIOS PANAGOS
Other featured speakers included Tim Tassopoulos. President & Chief Operating Officer, Chick-fil-A, who spoke on the concept of service in the business world, the community, and the Church, which is a guiding principle of both his company and of the Orthodox Church. The Rev. Fr. James W. Kordaris, Director of the Department of Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism, described the relationship of the parishes to the Archdiocese and the importance of creating relevant ministries. Philip Nicozisis, health educator and business owner, discussed his memoir, Have Laptop, Will Travel: Memoirs of A Digital Nomad, which was the number one bestseller in seven countries in 2019,
In addition, three young Greek American professionals, George Bousis, Founder and Executive Chairman, Raise and Owner and Chairman, Riot Squad Esports; Doretta Mistras, who is responsible for the Health Investment Banking Division of Citigroup’s coverage of the Healthcare Technology and Outsourcing Practice; and Athan Stephanopoulos, President of NowThis, the leading digital media news brand known for producing and distributing short-form video news for a predominantly millennial and Gen Z audience, spoke of their motivations and inspirations for starting businesses and innovating in their successful careers, along with the challenges they faced. They appeared in a Saturday Forum panel moderated by Leadership 100 member, Laura Evans Manatos, a television journalist and media executive.
Other events included the meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees and General Assembly, the Welcome Reception, Hellenic Glendi, Golf and Tennis Tournaments, the Walk/Run, and the Grand Banquet. A concluding Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos and Bishop Sevastianos of Zela at Saint Mark Church, Boca Raton, on Sunday, February 23.
Main Photo caption: Archbishop Elpidophoros and Chairman Argyris Vassiliou present the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Achievement Award to, second from left, Doretta Mistras, second from right, George D. Bousis and, far right, Athan Stephanopoulos. Third from right, Laura Evans Manatos, moderated the panel.
