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The Heritage America Program is a joint effort of the National Hellenic Society's Washington, DC Chapter and Manatos & Manatos, a leading public policy firm.

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This program distills the salient features of the study abroad experience and delivers it on the local/regional level. This unique and proprietary program will reconnect college-aged Greek-American students with their roots, heritage, culture and Hellenic identity through the prism of the American experience. Students will learn little-known information about the rise of Greeks in America over the last 100 years. It will better enable these students to glean the elements contributed to our amalgamated Greek-American culture that came from their Hellenic background and which came from the “American Way.”

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Students participating in this exciting education program will meet with Greek-Americans who have reached the pinnacle of success in America, including:

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  • The highest-ranking Greek-Americans in the US Government

  • Younger Greek-American government officials

  • Former high-ranking Greek-American government officials

  • Prominent national businessmen

  • Owners of area professional sports teams

  • Prominent lobbyists and lawyers

  • Prominent on-air news personalities and editors

  • Directors of some of the country’s top think tanks

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In these meetings they will learn:

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  • That many of the modern day American principles and practices were virtually identical to the principles and practices of the Greeks during the Golden Age.

  • The truly extraordinary impact Greece had on America.

  • The enormous number of pillars of American and western Democracy that were developed by the Greeks.

  • That the architecture of our nation’s buildings in the capitol city was overwhelmingly Greek.

  • The lost history about the extreme sacrifices some of the early Greek immigrants made trying to reach the American dream.

  • How Greek-Americans rose in just one generation form some of the least educated and successful to some of the most.

  • The connection between the courage and grit that contributed to the rise of Hellenes in America and the extraordinary courage shown by Hellenes in Greece during WWII.

  • About the concept of philotimo and how it contributed to the person-to-person popularity and acceptance of Greek-Americans in every city and town into which they immigrated in America.

  • About aspects of the Greek-American experience that many take for granted and assume are practiced by all Americans are in fact quite unique to our community.


Students will also tour:

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  • The White House

  • The US Capitol Building, Senate and House of Representatives

  • The US Department of State

  • The US Department of Defense

  • Washington, DC Monuments

  • Dumbarton Oaks

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The National Hellenic Society underwrites all program expenses and arranges for transportation to and from meetings and events.

HERITAGE AMERICA

In Partnership With

manatos&manatos
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PAST HERITAGE AMERICA SESSIONS

  •  

    For the 10th year, Greek-American students and young professionals from around the country met with and were mentored by some of our country’s most successful. Over 45 current and former US government officials, business leaders and influential thought leaders of Greek heritage – and even some Philhellenes – held intimate meetings with these young Greek-Americans from July 29 – July 31 in Washington, DC in person and from across the country via zoom. This annual program is hosted by the National Hellenic Society (NHS)  and implemented by Manatos & Manatos.


    Meetings again took place this year in the White House complex, the US Capitol Building (including on the balcony of the Speaker of the House), the Embassy of Greece, and the iconic Monocle Restaurant on Capitol Hill, with the program concluding with a bus tour of Washington, DC architecture and monuments inspired by ancient Greece.

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    Each speaker shared insights on their personal connection with their Greek heritage and how Hellenic principles and values, that burned bright in their family’s immigrants, have lived on in following generations and influenced their careers and professional development. Values such as hard work, honor and humility, education, excellence and empathy, family, faith and philotimo were key values defining the success of our speakers this year. Now in its tenth iteration, this program has imparted a deeper understanding to our participants on the unique position Greek-Americans hold in impacting and igniting change, both regionally and globally.

    Mentors in the 2025 Heritage America Program included:

    Business Leaders:

    • John Calamos, Vietnam War Hero / Founder & Chairman, Calamos Investments 

    • George Stamas, Gibson & Dunn Partner  / THI Co-founder and President

    • Manny Rouvelas, K&L Gates Partner / NHS Board Member

    • Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, ECOS President and CEO 

    • Paul Skoutelas, American Public Transportation Association President & CEO

    • Diana Doukas, Meta Platforms Head of Econ. Opp. & Advocacy / Fmr. White House Small Buss. Liaison

    • Tom Manatos, Block Inc. Head of Americas Policy / former Speaker Pelosi’s House Democrats Liaison

    • Dr. Dimitri Sigounas, Adventist Healthcare Neurosurgery Chair

    • John Sitilides, Trilogy Advisors Principal


    Government:
     

    • Four Star General Andrew Poppas, Commanding General of US Army Forces Command
      Four Star Admiral James Stavridis, Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Global Forces

    • George Tenet, Longest-serving CIA Director in US history

    • Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), California Lieutenant Governor

    • Eleni Roumel, First Greek-American woman to serve as a Federal Judge

    • Michael Kratsios, White House Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy

    • Brian Bulatao, Former Under Secretary of State

    • Athina Lawson, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) Press Secretary

    • Greg Steele, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) Communications Director

    • Rebecca Angelson, Chief of Staff, Office of Senator Jon Husted (R-OH)

    • Alex Angelson, Former Special Assistant to the President, White House Office of Legislative Affairs

    • Jack Kalavritinos, Former HHS Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
      Senior policy advisors to other Greek-America

     

    Members of Congress (who were not in DC):

    • Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Senior Policy Advisor Nathan Stamps

    • Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) Senior Policy Advisor Michelle Shevin-Coetzee

    • Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) Senior Legislative Assistant Alex Schroeder

    • Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) Senior Legislative Assistant Jake Friedman

    • Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) Chief of Staff Mitchell Moonier

    Hellenic & Orthodox Leadership:

    • Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros [by video]

    • Father Alex Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne 

    • Lea Soupata, NHS Chair

    • Art Dimopoulos, NHS Executive Director

    • Andy Manatos, Heritage America Founder / Former Asst. Sec. of Commerce / Manatos & Manatos CEO 

    • Mike Manatos, Heritage America Co-Founder / THI Executive Director


    Media:

    • George Stephanopoulos, ABC News Chief Anchor
      Peter Baker, New York Times Chief White House Correspondent
      Athan Stephanopoulos, CNN Worldwide Former EVP and Chief Digital Officer
      Laura Evans Manatos, Fox 5 News Former Anchor / President and CEO, Laura Evans Media
      John Sakellariadis, Politico Cybersecurity Reporter
      George Wallace, WTOP News Sports Director

     

    Greek & Cypriot Embassies

     

    Greece

    • Konstantinos Ntelikos, Counselor

    • George Fostiropoulos, Political Secretary

    • Connie Mourtoupalas, Cultural Attache

    • Christina Fiorentzi, First Secretary for Public Diplomacy

    • Col. Odysseas Papaevangelou, Defense Attaché

    • Capt. Nikolaos Lazakis, Naval Attaché

    • Col. Ioannis Markakis, Air Attaché

    • LTC Evangelos Zacharis, Military Attaché

     

    Cyprus

    • Myrianthi Spathi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Cyprus

    • Andronikos Stylianou, Congressional Liaison, Embassy of Cyprus

  • Some of the most prominent current and former U.S. government officials, business leaders and other influential opinion leaders of Greek origin met with Greek-American students from across the country as part of the 9th Annual NHS Heritage America program from July 31 - August 2.  This annual program is hosted by the National Hellenic Society and Manatos & Manatos. 

    ​Meetings took place again this year in the White House complex, the US Capitol Building (including on the Floor of the US House of Representatives and on the balcony of the Speaker of the House), the Embassy of Greece, the iconic Monocle Restaurant on Capitol Hill, and a bus tour of Washington, DC architecture and monuments inspired by ancient Greece. 
     

    Each speaker shared insights on their personal connection to their Greek heritage and how Hellenic principles and values, that burned bright in their family’s immigrants, have lived on in the generations that followed and influenced their careers and professional development. Values such as hard work, honor, and humility, education, excellence and empathy, family, faith and philotimo were key values defining the success of many of our speakers this year.

    ​

    Now in its ninth iteration, this program has imparted a deeper understanding to our participants on the unique position Greek-Americans hold in impacting and igniting change regionally and globally.

    Mentors in the 2024 Heritage America Program included:

    Business Leaders:

    • Dean Metropoulos, Principal, Metropoulos & Co.

    • Michael Psaros, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, KPS Capital Partners

    • John Calamos, Founder, Chairman, Calamos Investments and Chairman, National Hellenic Museum

    • John Koudounis, CEO, Calamos Investments

    • George Stamas, Co-founder and President, Gibson & Dunn, Partner / The Hellenic Initiative

    • Manny Rouvelas, Partner, K&L Gates

    • Michael Kratsios, Former White House Chief Technology Officer / Scale AI, Managing Director

    • Alissa Davies, Global Fintech Policy & Public Affairs Lead, Google

    • Diana Doukas, Economic Opportunity & Advocacy, Meta Platforms

    • Christos Polymeropoulos, Vice President Medical Director, Vanda Pharmaceuticals

    • Vasilios Polymeropoulos, Director of Medical Analytics, Vanda Pharmaceuticals

    • Dimitri Sigounas, Chair, Adventist Healthcare Neurosurgery

    • Joe Ragonese, Managing Partner, Balos Estiatorio

    • Vassilis Koutsoumpas, Co-founder / Greece Forbes 30 Under 30, WeFor

    • Sofia Skliros, Associate Brand Manager, Nestlé


    Government:
     

     

    • General Andrew Poppas, Commanding General of the US Army Forces Command, 4 Star General

    • Admiral James Stavridis, Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Global Forces

    • George Tenet, Second-longest Serving CIA Director

    • John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and former White House Chief of Staff

    • George Tsunis, Ambassador to Greece

    • Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California

    • Greg Steele, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Communications Director

    • Athina Lawson, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Press Secretary

    • Lisa Kountoupes, Former Special Assistant to President Clinton for Legislative Affairs / Kountoupes, Denham, Carr & Reid, Founder and President

    Government​

    • Alex Angelson, Former Special Assistant to President Trump for Legislative Affairs / Michael Best Strategies Principal

    • Bethany Poulos, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Marco Rubio

    • Jake Friedman, Legislative Assistant for Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    • Nathan Stamps, Legislative Assistant for Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)

    • Colby Harriman, Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)

    • Alex Schroder, Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)

     

    Diplomatic Core of Greece, Cyprus & NHS Leadership:

    • Ekaterini Nassika, Ambassador of Greece to the US

    • Myranthis Spathi, Embassy of Cyprus Chargés d’affaires

    • Georgios Louizou

    • Colonel Odysseas Papaevangelou, Defense Attaché, Embassy of Greece

    • Colonel Ioannis Markakis, Air Attaché, Embassy of Greece

    • Captain Nikolaos Lazakis, Naval Attaché Embassy of Greece

    • LTC Evangelos Zacharis, Military Attaché, Embassy of Greece

    • Art Dimopoulos, National Hellenic Society Executive Director

    • Mike Manatos, Heritage America Co-Founder / President of Manatos & Manatos


    Media:

    • George Stephanopoulos, ABC News Chief Anchor

    • Athan Stephanopoulos, Former EVP and Chief Digital Officer, CNN Worldwide

    • Mike Emanuel, Fox News Channel, Chief Washington Correspondent

    • Laura Evans Manatos, Former Fox 5 News Anchor / Laura Evans Media, President and CEO

    • Petros Kasifikis, Athens News Agency

    • John Sakellariadis, Cybersecurity Reporter, Politico

  • Some of the most prominent current and former U.S. government officials, business leaders and other influential opinion leaders of Greek origin met with Greek-American students from across the country as part of the 8th Annual NHS Heritage America program from July 26-29.  This annual program is hosted by the National Hellenic Society and Manatos & Manatos. This year's program featured a hybrid format of meetings in person and via Zoom.

    ​These esteemed speakers shared their family immigration experiences from Greece and how Hellenic and Orthodox principles and ideals, such as hard work, faith, family, moderation, empathy and love, helped them achieve success. 
     
    As a result of this program, now in its eighth year, these students better understand and appreciate the amalgam of Greek and American culture and heritage produces far more success than either culture or heritage alone.

    Early on, Greek immigrants ranked last among American nationalities in education and income. Yet their children, in just one generation, climbed to the top of both rankings in the country that led the world in these two categories.

    Mentors in the 2023 Heritage America Program included:

    Business Leaders:


    Government:
     

    • Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and former White House Chief of Staff, John Podesta

    • White House Associate Communications Director, Maria Michalos

    • Second-longest Serving CIA Director, George Tenet

    • Former White House Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus

    • Former Deputy Counsel to the Vice President, Eleni Roumel

     

     

    Government

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    Greek Orthodox Church, Greece, Cyprus & NHS Leadership:

    • Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

    • Embassy of Greece Deputy Chargé d'affaires, Amb. Theodoros Bizakis

    • Embassy of Cyprus Deputy Chief of Mission, Maria Savvidou-Panayiotou

    • Embassy of Greece Air Attaché Col. Ioannis Markakis

    • Executive Director, National Hellenic Society (NHS),  Art Dimopoulos

    • Founder, Heritage America, Andy Manatos

    • NHS Board Member and Co-Founder, Heritage America, Mike Manatos


    Media:

  • Some of the most prominent current and former US policymakers and opinion leaders met with some of the best and brightest Greek-American students across the country during the 7th Annual Heritage America Program August 9-11, 2022. In all 39 speakers shared with these students, in intimate online discussions, how Hellenic and Orthodox principles and ideals helped them achieve success. This program is hosted every year by the National Hellenic Society (NHS) and Manatos & Manatos.

    Speakers in the 2022 Heritage America Program included:
     
    Heritage America Founder Andy Manatos
    Heritage America Co-Founder Mike Manatos

    Senior US Officials:

     
    Greek-American Members of Congress:

    ​
    Media:


    Representatives of Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the US:

    National Hellenic Society Leadership:

     

    Business Leaders:


    Senior White House Officials:


    Former White House Officials

    • Former Under Secretary of State and current Chief Admin.l Officer, Activision Blizzard Brian Bulatao

    • Former White House Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director, Scale AI, Michael Kratsios

    • Former White House Chief of Staff Rience Priebus​


    US Congress Staff ​


    Lobbyists

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  • Some of the most prominent current and former US policymakers and opinion leaders met with some of the best and brightest Greek-American students across the country during the 6th Annual Heritage America Program June 22-24, 2021. In all 52 speakers shared with these students, in intimate online discussions, how Hellenic and Orthodox principles and ideals helped them achieve success. This program is hosted every year by the National Hellenic Society (NHS) and Manatos & Manatos.

    Speakers in the 2021 Heritage America Program included:
     
    Heritage America Founder Andy Manatos
    Heritage America Co-Founder Mike Manatos

    Senior US Officials:

     
    Greek-American Members of Congress:


    Media:


    Representatives of Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the US:

    ​

    Business Leaders:

    ​

    Senior White House Officials:

    • White House Press Secretary Jennifer Psaki

    • Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, LT General Andrew Poppas

    • Former Deputy Counsel to the President & US Court of Appeals Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas 

    • Former Deputy Counsel to the Vice President & US Court of Federal Claims Judge Eleni Roumel Olmem

    ​Former Trump Administration Officials:

    • Former White House Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios

    • Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Advance George Gigicos 

    • Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations Nick Kass


    Obama White House Officials:

    • Former White House Tech Transformation Commissioner & Libra Chief Strategy Officer Phaedra Chrousos

    • Former White House Business Director & current Facebook US Policy Programs Manager Diana Doukas


    Clinton White House Officials:


    US Congress Staff:

    • Legislative Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) Greg Adams  

    • Former National Security Advisor to the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) Jeff Dressler

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Elizabeth Hittos 

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) Peter Karafotas

    • Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) George Kundanis 

    • Legislative Assistant to Senator Rob Portman (R-OR) Sam Mulopulos

    • Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) Bethany Poulos

    • President of the Greek-American Congressional Staffers Association Helena Mastrogianis Schwarz 

    • Chief of Staff for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Jason Tuber


    Lobbyists:

  • Some of the most prominent current and former US policymakers and opinion leaders met with some of the best and brightest Greek-American students across the country during the 5th Annual Heritage America Program July 8-10, 2020. In all 44 speakers shared with these students, in intimate online discussions, how Hellenic and Orthodox principles and ideals helped them achieve success. This program is hosted every year by the National Hellenic Society (NHS) and Manatos & Manatos.

    Speakers in the 2020 Heritage America Program included:
     
    Senior US Officials:

    • First US Director of National Intelligence & former Deputy Secretary of State Ambassador John Negroponte

    • Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Global Forces Admiral James Stavridis  

    • Former CIA Director George Tenet

    • Former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta

     
    Greek-American Members of Congress:

    • Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) 

    • Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) 

    • Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) 

    • Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)


    Media:

    • ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos

    • President of NowThis (world’s #1 video news publisher) Athan Stephanopoulos

    • New York Times White House Correspondent Peter Baker

    • Fox News Channel Chief Congressional Correspondent Mike Emanuel

    • Former Fox 5 News Anchor and Reporter Laura Evans Manatos

     
    Representatives of Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the US:

    • Ambassador of Greece to the US Alexandra Papadopoulou

    • Ambassador of Cyprus to the US Marios Lysiotis

    • Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros


    National Hellenic Society Leadership:

    • Founder George Marcus

    • Chairman Drake Behrakis

    • Executive Director Art Dimopoulos

     
    Business Leaders:

    • Baltimore Orioles EVP & Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) Pres. & COO John Angelos 

    • Georgetown Cupcakes founders Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne & Katherine Kallinis Berman

    Senior White House Officials:

    • Highest-ranking Greek-American in the Administration, White House Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios 

    • Former Deputy Counsel to President & US Court of Appeals Circuit Judge Greg Katsas

    • Former Deputy Counsel to the Vice President & Judge, US Court of Federal Claims Eleni Roumel Olmem 

    • Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs Tommy Andrews

    • Special Asst. to the President & Dir. of Ops, White House Office of Public Liaison Alexandra Veletsis


    Former Trump Administration Officials:

    • Former Acting US Chief of Protocol Michael Karloutsos

    • Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Advance George Gigicos

    • Former Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Liaison George Sifakis

    • Former FDA Associate Commissioner for External Affairs Jack Kalavritinos

    • Former Special Assistant to President for Legislative Affairs Alex Angelson

    • Former White House Council of Economic Advisors Associate Chief of Staff Nicole Korkos

     
    US Congress Senior Staff – current and former:

    • Former National Security Advisor to the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) Jeff Dressler 

    • Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Kenneth DeGraff

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Elizabeth Hittos

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Peter Karafotas

    • Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) Bethany Poulos

    • Legislative Assistant to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) Sam Muloplos

    • President of the Greek-American Congressional Staffers Association, Helena Mastrogiannis Schwarz


    Lobbyists

    • K&L Gates Partner Manny Rouvelas 

    • Manatos & Manatos CEO Andy Manatos

    • Manatos & Manatos President Mike Manatos

    • UCLA Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations Jennifer Poulakidas 

  • The NHS and Manatos & Manatos, a leading government relations and advocacy firm, collaborated to develop the NHS Heritage America Program -- an experiential odyssey connecting Greek American college students to their Hellenic roots, heritage and culture within the context and resources Washington, DC has to offer.  Candidates selected for this program have the opportunity to meet a who's-who of Greek American decision makers, business leaders and other important contacts who will serve as future mentors and career guides for Heritage America alumni.

    Greek-American Members of the US Congress

    • Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL)

    • Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD)

    • Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)

     

    Greek Americans in the Administration and the Media

    • Our country’s first Director of National Intelligence and former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte

    • Former White House Business Director Diana Doukas

    • Former FDA Associate Commissioner for External Affairs, Jack Kalavritinos

    • State Department Libya Desk Officer, Alice Shukla

    • Fox News Channel Chief Congressional Correspondent, Mike Emanuel

    • President of NowThis, Athan Stephanopoulos

    • Former Fox 5 News Anchor and Reporter, Laura Evans Manatos

     

    Greek-American Prominent Lobbyists

    • NHS Board Member and Partner, K&L Gates, Manny Rouvelas

    • CEO of Manatos & Manatos, Andy Manatos

    • NHS Board Member and President of Manatos & Manatos, Mike Manatos

     

    Current & Former Congressional Staffers

    • Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House George Kundanis

    • Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Kenneth DeGraff

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Elizabeth Hittos

    • Former Speaker Pelosi advisor and current Spotify Vice President of Government Relations, Tom Manatos

    • Legislative Assistant to Senator Rob Portman (R-OR), Sam Muloplos

    • Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) Bethany Poulos

    • Former President of Greek-American Congressional Staffers Association, Helena Mastrogiannis Schwarz

    Greek-Americans in the Administration

    • Former Deputy Council to the President and current US Circuit Judge for the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, Gregory Katsas

    • US Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios

    • Deputy Director Office of Personnel Management, Mike Rigas

    • Associate Chief of Staff, White House Council of Economic Advisors Nicole Korkos

    • White House Office of Public Liaison Director of Operations, Alexandra Veletsis

    • White House Council of Economic Advisers Economist, Julia Tavlas

     

    Ambassadors

    • Embassy of Greece Chargé d'affaires Theodoros Bizakis

    • Ambassador of Cyprus to the US Marios Lysiotis

     

    Academics

    • George Washington University Associate Professor of History and Classics, Diane Cline

    • Center for Hellenic Studies Fellow and Howard University Associate Professor of Classics, Norman Sandridge

     

    Heads of National Greek-American Organizations

    • AHEPA Executive Director, Basil Mossaidis

    • American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President, Nick Larigakis

    • National Hellenic Society Executive Director, Art Dimopoulos

    • Washington Oxi Day Foundation Executive Director, Mike Manatos

    • Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) President Dora Hancock

    • Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) VP Maria Stamoulas

    • Daughters of Penelope Executive Director, Elena Skardis Saviolakis

    • National Hellenic Society Washington, DC Chapter, Co-Chair, Lou Courembis

  • The NHS and Manatos & Manatos, a leading government relations and advocacy firm, collaborated to develop the NHS Heritage America Program -- an experiential odyssey connecting Greek American college students to their Hellenic roots, heritage and culture within the context and resources Washington, DC has to offer.  Candidates selected for this program have the opportunity to meet a who's-who of Greek American decision makers, business leaders and other important contacts who will serve as future mentors and career guides for Heritage America alumni.

    Cabinet Secretaries:

    • The first US Director of National Intelligence and former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte

    • Former US Secretary of Health & Human Services and President of American University (the first woman in the 125 year history of the university), Sylvia Mathews Burwell


    The Five Greek-American Members of the US Congress:

    • Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL)

    • Congressman Charlie Crist (FL)

    • Congressman John Sarbanes (MD)

    • Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV)

    • Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA)


    Senior White House and Administration Officials:

    • White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios

    • Deputy Counsel to the Vice President of the United States, Eleni Roumel Olmem

    • Special Assistant to the President of the United States for Legislative Affairs, Alex Angelson

    • Food and Drug Administration’s Associate Commissioner for External Affairs Jack Kalavritrinos

    • U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director of Public Engagement, Dianne Quebral

    • Health and Human Services (HHS) Senior Policy Coordinator, Ekaterini Malliou

    • Former Professional Football Player / Office of the Vice President’s Counsel, Tony Pashos

    • White House Office of Public Liaison Project Coordinator, Alexandra Veletsis


    Former Senior White House and Administration Officials:

    • Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Assistant Secretary of State, Barbara Spyridon Pope

    • Former Chief Speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, Washington Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris

    • Former Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Liaison, George Sifakis

    • Former Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, Lisa Kountoupes 

    • Former White House Business Director Diana Doukas

    Senior US Congress Staff:

    • National Security Advisor to the Speaker of the House, Jeff Dressler

    • Senior Advisor and General Counsel for Senator Chris Coons (DE), Adam Bramwell

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman David Cicilline (RI), Peter Karafotas

    • President of Greek-American Congressional Staffers Association, Helena Mastrogiannis


    Prominent Lobbyists & Attorneys:

    • Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Andy Manatos

    • Manatos & Manatos President, Mike Manatos

    • Spotify’s Vice President of Government Relations, Tom Manatos

    • VP for Congressional & Government Affairs, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Jennifer Poulakidas


    Ambassadors:

    • Ambassador of Greece to the United States Haris Lalacos

    • Embassy of Cyprus Consul Konstantinos Polykarpou


    Media:

    • President of the largest social video news publisher in the world, reaching 65% of all US millennials monthly (2.5 billion monthly video views) NowThis, Athan Stephanopoulos 

    • Former Anchor of CBS Evening News Saturday Thalia Assuras

    • Former Fox 5 News Anchor and Reporter Laura Evans Manatos

    • Founder and Executive Editor of AMERICAblog, John Aravosis

    • WTOP Radio Sports Director George Wallace


    Heads of National Greek-American Organizations:

    • National Hellenic Society Chairman, Drake Behrakis (via Skype)

    • National Hellenic Society (NHS) Executive Director, Art Dimopoulos

    • AHEPA Executive Director, Basil Mossaidis

    • American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President, Nick Larigakis

    • Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) Vice President, Ekaterini Malliou


    Academicians:

    • University of Maryland Department of Classics Visiting Assistant Professor, Polyvia Parara, PhD

  • The NHS and Manatos & Manatos, a leading government relations and advocacy firm, collaborated to develop the NHS Heritage America Program -- an experiential odyssey connecting Greek American college students to their Hellenic roots, heritage and culture within the context and resources Washington, DC has to offer.  Candidates selected for this program have the opportunity to meet a who's-who of Greek American decision makers, business leaders and other important contacts who will serve as future mentors and career guides for Heritage America alumni.

    Cabinet Secretaries and Party Heads: 

    • The first US Director of National Intelligence and former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte

    • Former Nominee for President of the United States and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis (via Telephone)

     
    Members of the US Congress:

    • Former Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Senator Paul Sarbanes (MD)

    • Congressman Charlie Crist (FL)

    • Congressman John Sarbanes (MD)

    • Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV)

    • Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA)

     
    Senior White House and Administration Officials:

    • Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Global Forces Admiral James Stavridis (Skype)

    • White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios

    • Deputy Counsel to the President Greg Katsas

    • State Department Director for European and Eurasian Public Affairs Athena Katsoulos

    • Former Military Psychiatrist and Consultant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General Stephen Xenakis

    • FDA’s Associate Commissioner for External Affairs Jack Kalavritrinos

    • Commerce Department Press Secretary & Deputy Director of Public Affairs James Rockas

    • Former Special Assistant to the Chairman, Republican National Committee Alex Angelson

    • White House Office of Public Liaison Staff Assistant Alexandra Veletsis

     
    Senior US Congress Staff:

    • Superintendent of the United States Senate Office Buildings, Takis Tzamaras

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman David Cicilline, Peter Karafotas

    • President of the Greek-American Congressional Staffers Association, Helena Mastrogiannis

    Prominent Lobbyists and Attorneys:

    • Lobbyist and attorney Manny Rouvelas

    • Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and lobbyist Andy Manatos

    • Manatos & Manatos President, Mike Manatos

    • Spotify’s Vice President of Government Relations, Tom Manatos

     
    Ambassadors:

    • Ambassador of Greece to the United States Haris Lalacos

     
     Media:

    • Fox News Channel Chief Congressional Correspondent Mike Emanuel

    • WTOP Radio Sports Director George Wallace

    • Former Fox 5 News Anchor and Reporter Laura Evans Manatos


    Prominent Businessmen:

    • WWII Veteran and businessman Steve Yeonas and his son Steve Yeonas, Jr.

    • Baltimore Orioles COO, EVP and Partner John Angelos

    • New Atlantic Ventures Managing Partner Thanassis Delisthathis

     
    Academicians:

    • One of the country’s best experts on the history of Greek-America, Haverford Professor Alexander Kitroeff

     
    Heads of National Greek-American Organizations:

    • National Hellenic Society (NHS) Executive Director, Art Dimopoulos

    • AHEPA Executive Director, Basil Mossaidis

    • American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President, Nick Larigakis

  • The NHS and Manatos & Manatos, a leading government relations and advocacy firm, collaborated to develop the NHS Heritage America Program -- an experiential odyssey connecting Greek American college students to their Hellenic roots, heritage and culture within the context and resources Washington, DC has to offer.  Candidates selected for this program have the opportunity to meet a who's-who of Greek American decision makers, business leaders and other important contacts who will serve as future mentors and career guides for Heritage America alumni.

    Cabinet Secretaries and Party Heads: 

    • Former Nominee for President of the United States and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis (via Skype)

    • First US Director of National Intelligence and former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte

    • Office of US Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell

    • Office of Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus

     
    Individual meetings with Members of Congress:

    • Highest Ranking Woman in US History, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

    • Former Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)

    • Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)

    • Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD)

    • Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)

    • Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA)

     
    Senior White House and Administration Officials:

    • White House Communications Director and former State Department Spokesperson Jennifer Psaki

    • White House Business Council Director Diana Doukas

    • Former chief speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, Paul Glastris

    • Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Spyridon Pope

    • Health and Human Services Policy Coordinator for the Secretary, Dr. Ekaterini Malliou

     
    Senior US Congress Staff:

    • Superintendent of the United States Senate Office Buildings, Takis Tzamaras

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Elizabeth Hittos

    • Chief of Staff for Congressman David Cicilline, Peter Karafotas

    • Former Chief of Staff for Senator Paul Sarbanes, Peter Marudas

    Prominent Lobbyists and Attorneys:

    • Prominent lobbyist and attorney Manny Rouvelas

    • Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and prominent lobbyist Andy Manatos

    • K&L Gates Partner Stavroula Lambrakopoulos

    • Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ VP for Governmental Affairs, Jennifer Poulakidas

    • Spotify’s Vice President of Government Relations, Tom Manatos

    • Manatos & Manatos Senior Vice President, Mike Manatos

     
    Ambassadors:

    • Ambassador of Greece to the United States Haris Lalacos

    • Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States Leonidas Pantelides

     
    Media:

    • Former Chief Speechwriter for President Bill Clinton Paul Glastris

    • Fox 5 News Anchor and Reporter Laura Evans Manatos

     
    Academicians:

    • One of the country’s best experts on the history of Greek-America, Haverford Professor Alexander Kitroeff

     
    Prominent Businessmen:

    • WWII Veteran and Real Estate Developer Jimmy Moshovitis

    •  Baltimore Orioles Ownership Representative Louis Angelos

     
    Heads of National Greek-American Organizations:

    • National Hellenic Society (NHS) Executive Director, Art Dimopoulos

    • AHEPA Executive Director, Basil Mossaidis

    • American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President, Nick Larigakis

    • National Hellenic Museum President Laura Calamos Nassir (via Skype)

    • Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) Vice President and Gen Counsel Maria Stamoulas

    • Washington Oxi Day Foundation President, Andy Manatos

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