Mike Manatos has been named the new Executive Director of The Hellenic Initiative (THI).
Manatos previously served on the executive boards of Leadership 100 and the National Hellenic Society, the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Committee Chair.
He co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Washington Oxi Day Foundation, creating the world-renowned OXI Courage Awards and Service Awards.
He also served as Chairman for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, where he has been involved for over 26 years and has personally raised over $2 million for the Foundation and granted the wishes of over 250 children.
Manatos recently served as President of Manatos & Manatos where he has worked for 35 years.
“I have been blessed to have spent my entire professional and personal life promoting Hellenism and Orthodoxy while working closely with the most successful and philanthropic diaspora Greeks, many of whom serve on the THI Board,” Manatos said in a media release.
“Having the opportunity to continue and even amplify this service as THI Executive Director is a dream come true. I am grateful to THI’s Board for this remarkable opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”
THI Co-Founder and President George P. Stamas said he’s excited to welcome him to the organisation.
“Having spent his entire career working with the leadership of the global Greek diaspora and promoting Greece around the world, Mike brings to this role unique and valuable experience, relationships and passion,” he said.
THI is a global non-profit that unites the diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes to invest in the future of Greece and Cyprus through economic development, entrepreneurship and humanitarian aid.
Since inception in 2012, THI has raised over millions to support economic development and crisis relief grants in Greece, to help reverse the brain drain.
In addition, crisis relief has included: food insecurity, children’s poverty, abuse and disabilities, response to natural disasters, refugee services, low birth rate reversal and palliative care.
Overall, it is estimated that THI’s impact on the economy of Greece has well exceeded $500 million.
“After 13 years of inspired work by so many, THI has a track record of unifying the global Greek Diaspora to make a positive impact in Greece,” Stamas said.
“The sky’s the limit for where THI will go, as we Dare to Dream together.”
THI’s Co-Founder and Chairman Andrew N. Liveris said that the organisation is gearing up for an even more impactful future following their first 13 years.
“Mike will be an essential part of shaping and implementing our bold vision of the future of our organisation and the global Greek diaspora,” he said.
Executive Board member Father Alex Karloutsos said Manatos’s addition to the team is exciting.
“I have worked closely with Mike over his decades of service to our community, Greece, Cyprus and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I have seen the trusted relationships and respect he has built, as did his father and grandfather before him,” he said.
