More than 400 members and guests attended the annual Leadership 100 Conference, held this past February at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. It was during this gathering that Archbishop Demetrios of America asked the Executive Committee to proceed with the appointment of Paulette Poulos as the organization’s Executive Director “in view of her dedicated and productive work.”
The committee unanimously approved the appointment. Poulos, who had been Acting Executive Director since 2006 and previously Director of Development, joined the organization in 2005 after the passing of Archbishop Iakovos whom she had served as Administrator from 1984 to 1996, continuing to assist him in his retirement. Upon hearing the news, participants gave Poulos a heartfelt ovation. In response she said, that “during the past 46 years, I have learned the importance of Christian service, the dynamism of our Orthodox Church and the richness of our Hellenic heritage, as well as the importance of visionary leadership from great Churchmen such as Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory and our Spiritual Leader, Archbishop Demetrios, and from a long line of great lay leaders too numerous to name. I will continue to draw strength, as they do, from the Lord, and to continue to serve.”
The 20th Annual Conference began and ended on a high note with a report by Constantine G. Caras, Chairman, to the Board of Trustees and General Assembly that despite the economic crisis the organization had rebounded with growth in membership, contributions and the value of its portfolio, allowing an increase in grants. The conference closed with a stirring performance by Lina Orfanos, an internationally-acclaimed vocal artist who appeared at the concluding Grand Banquet. An impromptu Greek night, organized on the spot by the Pantenidis brothers with the musicians playing unplugged until the early hours of the next day, brought in additional Greek flavor and spontaneity that was greatly appreciated by the participants.
Chairman Caras cited the increase of membership to 863, with 34 new members, which included a total of 95 enrolled as Leadership 100 Partners Program and 5 enrolled in the Junior Partners Program, as well as 447 fulfilled ones. “Most significantly, the portfolio reached $67,826,000 at the end of last year and our Grants Program was reborn with vigor and purpose, totaling $1,031,600 for 2010, principally to the Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology scholarship program,” he said. “Additional commitments of $1,331,600 for the School are scheduled to be awarded in 2011, including another $1 million for the scholarship program, a $250,000 final payment on the four-year $1 million grant for Information Technology, and a $50,000 payment for the third installment of a five-year $250,000 grant for Vocation Ministry, bringing total grants to $30.4 million since the inception of Leadership 100,” he added.
Maria Allwin, the Conference Chair and a member of the Board of Trustees, received accolades for a job excellently done. Allwin told conferees that this year’s conference required careful and detailed planning to control costs while, at the same time, to create an inspiring program, which was evidenced by the traditional Bible Study and Lecture by Archbishop Demetrios and the featured speakers that included Ted Leonsis, the business entrepreneur, and Dr. Peter Diamandis, the space pioneer, both of whom were honored with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence and John McKesson Camp II, noted classical archaeologist and Michael Psilakis, the executive chef, both of whom were given the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Achievement. A special tribute was paid to Dr. Constantine “Takis” Papadakis, of blessed memory, a member of Leadership 100, in recognition of his many innovative contributions to education in the United States and to Hellenic ideals. The award was posthumously presented and accepted by his wife, Eliana Papadakis and their daughter, Maria Papadakis, who addressed the audience in a moving presentation on her father’s life and work.
Caras acknowledged new members of the Board of Trustees at the Conference, including: Lily Bentas of the Boston Metropolis; Tom Jordan of the Detroit Metropolis; John Moutsanas of the San Francisco Metropolis; Christopher Pappas of the Denver Metropolis; James A. Regas of the Chicago Metropolis; George E. Safiol of the Boston Metropolis; Kyriakos Tsakopoulos of the San Francisco Metropolis; and Theodore K. Zampetis of the Pittsburgh Metropolis.
He also expressed gratitude for the long and dedicated service of outgoing Board members, including George Marcus, John Marks, John Pappajohn, Mark Stavropoulos, Michael Stefanos, Angelo Tsakopoulos, and Nicholas J. Bouras, and Stephen G. Yeonas, noting that Bouras had been named Honorary Lifetime Board Member and Yeonas had become Chairman Emeritus upon the passing of Founder George K. Chimples.
Associated with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese throughout her working career, Paulette Poulos began her responsibilities in 1965, working in various capacities, including Director of LOGOS and Associate Director for Stewardship Ministry (1972-1984). She also served on various national commissions, including the National Youth Commission and the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches.
From 1984 to 1996, she served as Administrator for His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos. Her dedication and loyalty to His Eminence and the Church enabled him to remain actively involved in ecclesiastical life and service until his passing in April, 2005.
“No one is more suited for the role of Executive Director of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, which draws its founding, vision and inspiration from Archbishop Iakovos, than Paulette Poulos,” said Chairman Caras. ”She has served an apprenticeship to true greatness and demonstrated in her own right the leadership skills which will take us to ever higher levels of achievement.”
