2024 Judges

Michael Printzos

Greece, Country Head

Michael Printzos brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in the commercialization of R&D results, having worked with numerous companies and organizations in the USA, UK, Germany, Singapore, and Greece. Currently, he serves as the Greece, Country Director of The Hellenic Initiative, where he focuses on investing in the nation's future through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization.

In the past, Michael has been a trainer and invited speaker at conferences on innovation management and incubation. He is also the co-founder of two start-ups—one based in Athens, focusing on the renewable energy sector, and the other, a medical imaging software company, based in Oxford.

Additionally, Michael is a committee member of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce’s Innovation-Education-Entrepreneurship Committee, where he contributes to establishing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and adapting best practices and policies. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Science from Oxford University (UK). In 2015, he was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 European Young Leaders representing Greece.

Michael Printzos

Greece, Country Head

Vlassis Adraktas

Program Officer

Vlassis Adraktas has more than 10 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, having worked at some of the most prominent foundations in Greece. He has developed and implemented funding strategies in a broad range of programmatic areas, such as economic development, innovation, poverty relief and education. He is currently the Program Officer at The Hellenic Initiative, where he oversees the organization’s programs, investing in the country’s future through philanthropy and economic development.

Vlassis has also participated in various committees and panels of start-up incubation programs and has provided pro-bono consulting and mentoring to non-profits. He holds an Master’s degree in Economics and Management in the Creative Industries from Bocconi University and a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from the American College of Greece.

Vlassis Adraktas

Program Officer

Jeremy Downward

Executive Director

In 2016 Jeremy set up Aristeus, a fully regulated asset management firm in Cyprus and is the company’s CIO.

In 2001 Jeremy set up a family office managing the investments of a prominent European family. The office made investments across the asset class spectrum in developed and emerging markets. He acted as CIO until late 2015 and remains a board member.

Previously Jeremy was a founding partner and board member of Greece’s first investment bank, Alpha Finance from 1989 to 2001. Alpha Finance listed on the Athens Stock Exchange is April 1995 and was sold to Alpha Bank in 2001.

Prior to Alpha Finance he worked at Continental Illinois Bank in New York, Athens and Piraeus.

Jeremy graduated from Leeds University in 1976.

He sits on the boards or advisory committees of various companies, investment vehicles, educational bodies and NGOs.

Jeremy Downward

Executive Director

Aristeus Financial Services

Harriette Condes Zervakis

Harriette Condes Zervakis

Administrator

As the administrator for The Charles C. Condes Trust, Harriette Condes Zervakis seeks to fulfill the wishes of her beloved late uncle. Charles C. Condes was an accomplished investor, mechanical engineer, and philanthropist who valued an influential Greek diaspora, the Greek Orthodox faith, and a prosperous economic future for those in Greece.   Condes Zervakis is a retired secondary school educator, professional developer, and administrator. She has presented and co-presented at local and national conferences on the topics of school improvement and small learning communities. She was recognized by the School Board of Thornton Township High Schools, the Faculty Association (IEA), and the South Suburban Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (Chicago Metropolitan area) for exemplary leadership. In addition, she was nominated by students and listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.   Condes Zervakis served as president of The Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois, co-president of The Greek Women’s University Club, and president of the parish council of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Homer Glen, Illinois. For more than ten years, she was a regular contributor to the The Greek Star and other newspapers, and wrote an article for the book Modern Greece (2022) edited by Dr. Elaine Thomopoulos.

Harriette Condes Zervakis

Administrator

The Charles C. Condes Trust

Peter J. Poulos

President

Peter Poulos has worked as a fundraiser for decades. Early in his career, he joined Manatos & Manatos a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. After that he served as a fundraiser for the Bob Kerrey for United States Senator from Nebraska campaign and the Paul Simon for United States Senator from Illinois campaign.

A native New Yorker, he moved to San Francisco in 1989 to work as a political fundraiser for Kevin F. Shelley, former supervisor and secretary of state, and the late lieutenant governor, Leo T. McCarthy.

In 1993, Mr. Poulos opened Poulos Brothers, a fundraising and event-planning firm. In the span of 14 years, Poulos Brothers worked with over 100 nonprofit organizations and political candidates. In 1997, he began working with amfAR and continued to do so until he left San Francisco in 2006. He has raised millions of dollars for the fight against HIV/AIDS as well as breast cancer research, civil rights, homelessness, and the environment.

He is the former Executive Director of The Hellenic Initiative.

Mr. Poulos is a third generation American and an active member of the Greek American community.

Peter J. Poulos

President

Poulos Brothers, Inc.

Chris Tsiolis

Chris Tsiolis

CEO

Chris Tsiolis is a seasoned entrepreneur and digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation across various industries. His expertise spans helping financial professionals scale businesses through unique sales experiences and integrating advanced digital systems. Having worked with influential figures like CNBC's Jon & Pete Najarian and Grant Cardone, Chris has been instrumental in generating over $100 million in revenue for companies in financial media and influencer marketing. Based in Chicago, he continues to push the boundaries of digital innovation, working with both startups and established companies generating over $1 million in revenue to grow to the next level.

Chris Tsiolis

CEO

Proago Marketing Systems

Philip Voutsas

Philip Voutsas

Co-Founder

Philip Voutsas, born and bred in Pretoria, South Africa, is an Ecopreneur. Qualified as an Agricultural Economist, he is passionate about the development of and investment in the sustainable industries sector. Philip has co-founded a specialised international technology development company. This company holds patent rights to a chemical compound which modifies sustainably grown softwoods into woods that match or surpass the properties of tropical hardwoods. As a dendrophile, Philip’s business merges his love for trees with his vision for creating a sustainable future. As part of the Greek diaspora, Philip is intent on returning Greece to its former glory.

Philip Voutsas

Co-Founder

Heartwood Sustainable Industries International