Despina Anastasiou is a native New Yorker currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. She is a graduate of Colgate University, where she majored in International Relations with double minors in History and Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies. She is now pursuing a Master’s degree in International and Development Studies at the Geneva Graduate Institute, specializing in mobilities, migration, and borders. Despina recently completed an internship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Division of International Protection in Geneva. Her previous experience includes internships with the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Migration and Asylum, where she worked on projects related to international cooperation and refugee policy. With a deep interest in global migration, diaspora communities, and transnational governance, Despina hopes to contribute to more just and human-centered policy responses within the field of international affairs.

Konstantina Choros has a Master's Degree In European Politics and Policy from NYU. Her Bachelors of Arts is in Classical Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked as a researcher in national and international economics. Her real passion is being in business for herself. She has owned a bakery and currently works as a Real Estate Broker. She has traveled extensively, even summiting Kilimanjaro. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering for causes close to her heart and is excited about working with THI.

Marissa Eliades went to the University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree, and the University of Miami for law school. She is Senior Privacy Counsel for the Americas at CBRE specializing in employee and business to business data privacy. Marissa uses her 7 years experience to advise on the use of personal information. Prior to CBRE, Marissa worked at American Express, where she focused on consumer privacy.

Marissa lives in Williamsburg on the water and was born and raised in Roslyn, New York. Marissa 's family is originally from Chios, Karpenisi, and Ioaninna. She is extremely close with her parents, her younger sister, and herextended family.

In her free time Marissa enjoys staying active, cooking, reading, advocating for the special needs community, fundraising for cancer research, and traveling the world, especially to Greece where she visits different islands, and enjoys staying connected to her faith, the greek heritage, and the greek people.

Zachary Lountzis is a Vice President at Lountzis Asset Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser that operates as a multi-family office serving families, business-owners, and high-net worth individuals with fully customized portfolios. He previously spent nine years on Wall Street as an investment banker and equity research analyst at Barclays, Credit Suisse, and Jefferies. Zachary is a proud member of the National Hellenic Society, where he was privileged to be selected to the organization’s inaugural Heritage Greece Program in 2010. He serves as a PAL Champions Board Member for the Police Athletic League, which together with the NYPD has supported and inspired underprivileged NYC youths to realize their full individual potential as productive members of society since 1914. He also serves as a New Leader for The Hellenic Initiative and is a member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) and a brother of AHEPA’s NYC chapter.

Alexander Marcopoulos is a partner of international law firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed and a member of the firm’s Litigation and International Arbitration practices. He represents companies and states in high-stakes international projects and disputes -- in particular, in the construction, energy and maritime sectors. In addition to his work as counsel, Alexander takes appointments as arbitrator. He also teaches international arbitration at Panthéon-Assas University (Paris II) and Sciences Po Paris.

Throughout his academic and professional endeavors, Alexander has always been guided by a deep passion for his Greek heritage and the culture and traditions instilled in him by his family. Having grown up in Peekskill, New York, Alexander spent most summers with his family in Messinia, Greece. While he now lives in Paris, France, Alexander has always been drawn to Messinia: he and his wife were married there in 2017, and they continue to visit as often as possible. In his free time, Alexander enjoys running, cycling and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

George grew up in Glenview, a suburb north of Chicago, and is the oldest of three siblings. He attended the University of Virginia and studied Economics, Real Estate and Spanish. Today, George lives in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago with his beautiful wife, Maria-Elena and works at Blue Vista Capital Management, a real estate private equity company where he serves as Vice President of Acquisitions. George's family has roots in Methoni, the Tripoli area, and Kalymnos. George finds his happiness in family, friends and food; he also enjoys traveling, cooking, the outdoors, sports (paddle tennis and golf are current favorites), and wellness.

Dr. Denny Vildiridis, a Greek national fluent in English, Greek, and German, has a distinguished career in education, museology, and cultural development/strategy. She holds a PhD in Education and Museology from the University of Oxford, an M.Res in European Culture from UCL, and a BA in Modern History from Royal Holloway University London. She is also an accredited G.I.A gemmologist and jewellery designer. Her work experience spans across various cultural institutions in Greece, including the National Theater of Northern Greece where she served as the Head of Strategy and International Development, and the Museum of Children and Toys where she holds multiple roles including Board VP and Development VP. She spearheaded the construction and operational phases of the museum, which houses Europe's largest and most significant collection of toys (the Marianna Vildiridis Collection), and was instrumental in securing substantial funding for the project.

Additionally, Dr. Vildiridis has a background in the luxury industry, having worked at Sotheby’s and Bvlgari, and runs her own jewellery business in Greece. She has also been involved in various boards and committees, such as the National Orchestra of Athens, When We Band Together, and the Thessaloniki Organising Committee for Women Act, further demonstrating her commitment to cultural and societal development. Her broad experience in strategic planning, international development, and fundraising, combined with her academic expertise and passion for cultural heritage, make The Hellenic Initiative a natural fit and passion for her.

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Ioannis Wallingford is a former military officer turned management consultant specializing in technical due diligence. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, focusing on nuclear power. After graduation, he became a platoon leader (engineering manager) in the 82nd Airborne Division. As part of the Hurricane Maria/Irma relief effort, Ioannis served as a deputy commander for a portion of the recovery effort. He then became a product manager for a geospatial program supporting theater and special operations units. After his military service, Ioannis completed a Tech MBA from NYU-Stern before joining the corporate world. He enjoys obstacle races, lifting, disc golf, and brewing beer in his spare time.

Lia Wrenn is based out of Chicago, IL and thrilled to be part of the THI executive committee! Most recently, she helped organize the launch of THI Chicago. She currently works as an assistant professor at Rush Medical College and practices as an Obstetrician Gynecologist at Rush University Medical Center. She is passionate about women’s health and providing access to healthcare for underserved populations. Greece has played a pivotal role in shaping her as a person, as she looks forward to being able to give back to the country through THI. Outside of work, she is a mom and loves to travel with her family, especially to Greece.

Harris Xanthos is an Executive Director and Project Leader overseeing the development of new medicines at PMV Pharma, a precision oncology focused biotechnology company. Prior to PMV, Harris held roles at Celgene and Bristol Myers Squibb leading global drug development teams which resulted in the approval of novel therapies for patients with different cancers across the world.

A registered pharmacist, Harris obtained his PharmD degree from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University and his MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Harris was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, and currently lives in New Jersey with his wife Connie and two children, Marino and Penelope. He looks forward to actively contributing to the THI mission as a member of the New Leaders Executive Committee.