NEW YORK, NY –
The 35th Annual Leadership 100 Conference, which took place on February 5-8, 2026, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, ended three days of momentous actions. Foremost was the transition of the Chairmanship from Demetrios G. Logothetis to Michael N. Bapis and the approval by the Executive Committee of $6.5 million for 42 new and prior year grants.
In addition, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros presented his vision for the future of the Church in America, and four outstanding speakers were presented with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence.
Logothetis said, “I am enormously pleased to complete my two terms as Chairman with the unanimous approval by the Executive Committee of $6,510,700 for 42 new and prior year grants for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and related and affiliated organizations, from the outstanding recommendations by the Grant Committee, chaired by Justin Bozonelis. Upon distribution, total grants by Leadership 100 since its founding will reach a historic $89,355,203. Growth in our grants is a sure sign of the vitality of Leadership 100 and the commitment of its members to our mission and purpose.”
“Furthermore, I am pleased to turn over the leadership to Michael N. Bapis as Chairman, accompanied by Emanuel Cotronakis, our legal counsel, as Vice Chairman, Justin Bozonelis, after seven years as Chairman of the Grant Committee and fifteen years of service, as Treasurer, and Maria Alwin as Secretary.”
The conference commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the passing of Leadership 100 Founder Archbishop Iakovos with an opening documentary, “In His Own Words: Archbishop Iakovos,” introduced by His Grace Bishop Anthony of Synada, which theme was taken up by Archbishop Elpidophoros. Following the Annual Lecture, His Eminence laid out his vision for the future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, inspired by the great step of Archbishop Iakovos in bringing the Greek Orthodox Church into the modern world.
The Grand Banquet on Saturday, February 7 witnessed the transition to the new Chairman and Officers with the presentation of the Archbishops Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence to the four outstanding conference speakers: George Postolos, President & CEO, The Postolos Group LP; Katina Pappas Dermatas, CEO, Ladurée US and American Macaroon; Dr. Stamatios Kartalopoulos, nationally and internationally renowned scientist, academic, and inventor, and author of Hellenic Cities in Asia Minor: “Where the Stones Still Speak”; and George Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group.
Archbishop Elpidophoros, along with Executive Director Paulette Poulos, then acknowledged Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis for his valuable service to Leadership 100 and presented him with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence and called to the stage Marianthe Logothetis, presenting her with the Shining Star Award for her support and contributions offered to her beloved husband.
Earlier, the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Outstanding Service was presented to Theo Nicolakis, Director of National Ministries and Chief Information Officer and the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Achievement was presented to Aristomenis “Menios” Papadimitriou, Director of Archives, both representing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in addressing the conference.
Other programs and events included the Saturday Forum highlighting the Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance and Choral Festival featuring the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Phoenix Dance Group with Michael Syrengelas, Co-Chairman, Executive Board; the New Member/First Timers Orientation; the Annual General Assembly at which Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Orfanakos, President of the Archdiocese Presbyters Council, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Leadership 100 for its untiring support, and at which Kassandra Romas, longtime Treasurer, Executive Committee and Board Member was acknowledged for her service with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Outstanding Service, Anastasia Lambiris, outgoing Chairman for the Young Professionals, was presented with the Archbishop Iakkovos Leadership 100 Award for Achievement, and Kyra Limberakis, CEO of Orthodox Volunteer Corps, was presented with the Archbishop Leadership 100 Award for Achievement; the Hellenic Glendi; the Annual Leadership 100 Walk/Run and Pickleball Tournament and Awards, Chaired by Mike Manatos, the Golf and Tennis Tournaments and Awards, organized by John Aivazoglou;
and the Children’s Program and newly innovated Teenager Program, organized by Maria Pardalis and Marika Christopher.
The Conference formally concluded with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and at Memorial Service for Leadership 100 members at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, February 8, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros with respected Hierarchs and Clergy.
