Delphi Bank’s Women’s Business Luncheon celebrated International Women’s Day, and brought together a powerhouse of women to share their stories with an audience of 60 guests on Thursday.

Vanessa Ganis of Delphi Bank said the function room in which the luncheon was held at the State Library of Victoria was specifically chosen for the event as it was named after Isabella Fraser, the first-listed female librarian to work at the State Library.

The Official Welcome was presented by Olyvia Nikou QC the first Greek-Australian to be awarded silk status (SC) in Australia.

Delphi Bank’s Project Coordinator, Maree Hadji proved a more than able Panel Facilitator for the guest speaker panel which followed. The guest speakers were Ange Kounelis, multi-site studio owner of KX Pilates, including KX Pilates Oakleigh; Dr Maria Gindidis, the principal and founder of non-for-profit Greek language school, Protypo in Oakleigh and a Senior Lecturer, Chief Examiner and Coordinator at Monash University; and Tammy Iliou, the first female vice president of the Greek Community of Melbourne.

READ MORE: The Hellenic Women’s Federation honours Claire Gazis at International Women’s Day event

Each woman related the challenges and experiences that were part of the journey to achieving their ambitions and hopes.

The speakers answered questions provided by Ms Hadji and then fielded questions from the audience.

Award-winning photographer and author, Marina Brbot spoke about the publication of her book Because She Can which tells the stories of 30 women, and was presented to a lucky winner in the audience.

General Manager of Delphi Bank Jim Sarris, left, with Stellas Patras, Kat Memis, Maria Nikolarakos and Dora Gainnes.
Delphi Bank National Community Engagement Manager, Paul Orfanos with Argiro Panayiotis, Marina Brbot and Barbara Yeronidias..
Eleni Caragounis of Neos Kosmos chatting with Jenny Iliou.
Vanessa Ganis of Delphi Bank, introduces the guest speakers.

 

An inspiring Dr Maria Gindidis of the Immigrant Language Learning Department at Monash University.
Paying close attention Pamela Saracino, Maria Danos, Aliki Stathopoulos, Dr Marcelle De Sanctis and Anthoula Moutis.
Alexia Petsinis, centre, pays attention to the Guest Speakers on the stage
The Guest Speakers at Delphi Bank’s Women’s Business Luncheon accept the audience’s applause from left Olivia Nikou QC, Ange Kounelis and Dr Maria Gindidis, Tammy Iliou and Panel Facilitator Maree Hadji.
The author of the newly published book Because She Can which features the stories of 30 women, Marina Brbot, addresses the luncheon.
Taking pictures of the Guest Speaker Panel at the end of the luncheon are from left Sophia Temos of Delphi Bank, Anthoula Moutis and Eleni Kalimnios.