GREEK AMERICA FOUNDATION IS LIKE A REAL-LIFE LINKEDIN FOR GREEKS!
“Being in the company of other successful recipients of the “Forty Under 40” makes me proud and motivated to continue on with my brand-building initiatives and business-development projects influencing the Greek brand and the motherland at large.”
What do you get when you bring hundreds of motivated and progressive Greeks together and put them in a room for a weekend in Toronto, eh? Aside from a lot of drinking, eating (hockey playing) and extremely loud talking, you get a meaningful and productive Greek America Foundation event!
A weekend in my hometown
I made the trip back to my original hometown to participate in the Greek America Foundation festivities over the May 2nd, 2014 weekend in Toronto, Canada. Not only did I attend and listen to some of the brightest leaders in our community at the National Innovation Conference (#NIC2014) held at Ryerson University, I got to attend the “Forty Under 40” awards gala where my local entourage (my family and friends) was there representing as I joined 39 other rock-star Greeks in receiving this prestigious recognition.
Forty Under 40
I was uber honored and thrilled to have been selected by Greek America as a recipient of their prestigious “Forty Under 40” award. And despite what many of my non-Greek friends think (typical Greek stereotypes coming up…), this is not an award recognizing the top 40 Greeks with the best zebekia dance moves (although I would be a top contender after a dozen Kettle-on-the-rocks) or not an award recognizing the top 40 Greeks with the best souvlaki-cooking skills. This award recognizes Greeks in North America doing what they do best – whatever it may be. It is recognition of those showing passion for their respected field of expertise, excelling at it and doing it while giving back to the motherland – in one form or another through philanthropy, charity, investment or business development (would “Twenty Under 40” make more sense to me and be a little more exclusive? In my opinion, yes! Just throwing it out there… but here is not the place to start this debate). Being in the company of other successful recipients of the “Forty Under 40” makes me proud and motivated to continue on with my brand-building initiatives and business-development projects influencing the Greek brand and the motherland at large.
Greek America Foundation is like a real-life LinkedIn… for Greeks!
(I should trademark that!)
With regards to the Greek America Foundation, I have always found myself from the outside looking in. I have always known of, and stayed informed of, the various events, initiatives and projects through social media updates, but never allowed myself to fully immerse into the movement… until they hosted their events in Toronto. What Greek America, its events and the honor of being a “Forty Under 40” recipient means to me is quite simple – it is like an ecosystem of progressive professionals all united by some degree of Hellenic pride, some element of passion for the motherland and some level of desire to help progress Hellenism.
The connections made at these events are epic. You are rubbing elbows and swapping stories with some of the greatest leaders from all industries and all walks of life – each looking to learn more about what it is that you do and how you do it so well. Greg Pappas created a different kind of foundation. Something totally different than the traditional Greek associations we have grown up with, which often promotes segmented elements of Hellenism.
Who the $%^# is Greg Pappas, anyways?
Once again, social media introduced me to this guy, but Greek America connected me with him. To say that Greg Pappas is the man behind this foundation is likely an understatement. He is the man who founded Greek America and has since driven numerous worthy projects and initiatives affecting Greece and education about the motherland, but more importantly, reconnecting the diaspora with their roots. To say more about him would imply I am ass-kissing… and that is not my style! Therefore, please conduct your own research online or just click here to learn more about him!
Thank you, Greek America! Thank you for recognizing me… but more importantly, thank you for creating an environment that encourages greatness, applauds successes and strengthens what it is to be a proud Greek living outside of Greece.
Efxaristo!
