Executive Board

President: Fotis Karantonis

Fotis was born and raised in the heart of Toronto’s Greektown. His Greek roots are from Karditsa on his father’s side and Sparti from his mother’s side. Fotis received his Bachelor of Commerce from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, majoring in hospitality and tourism management. His education at Ryerson consisted of a theoretical knowledge base and practical skill set, preparing him for the hospitality & tourism industry. In 2015, Fotis attended the Pan-Messinian Kalamata University Program where he participated in Greek language, history and music classes. He also toured all over the Peloponnese with students of Greek descent from all over the world. During this trip, Fotis developed a deep appreciation for the connection of Greek Diaspora. For two years he was President of the Hellenic Students Association at Ryerson University, which allowed him to get involved with the Ryerson Student Union, collaborate with a variety of student groups and engage with the Greek student body. Most importantly, he had the chance to practice various skills that can be applied in the professional world such as leadership, team building, networking and marketing. For two years, Fotis has been in the food and beverage division at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto where he is growing his skill sets of the hospitality industry. Fotis is a member of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation’s Next Gen Committee. Fotis was the Toronto - Regional Director for his first two years in the NHSA board. In his third year, Fotis became Director of Operations. Fotis is very excited to apply his NHSA experience towards his presidential position and make lasting positive impacts to the communities that NHSA is connected to. Fotis is very proud that NHSA has expanded well into Toronto and aims to make the postponed Toronto convention its absolute best.

Vice President: Georgios Araujo

Georgios Araujo was born and raised in Manhasset Hills, New York.  His cultural background shares the rich customs of both Greek and Portuguese traditions. Georgios is a recent graduate of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University and majored in Molecular Neuroscience. Georgios founded the Hellenic Society at Adelphi University and was elected as President for two consecutive terms. This position allowed him to collaborate with a variety of student organizations on campus as well as at other universities, all to help promote Hellenism. While looking to expand his club’s overall membership and gain recognition, he explored NHSA as an option and immediately fell in love with the values that the organization stands by.  Georgios is proud of the Greek customs that he celebrates within his family and community. Having been appointed to the NHSA Board as the Northeast Regional Director for the 2020 calendar year, he is looking forward to continue expanding his knowledge of Greek culture, leadership, and networking to help uphold a strong Greek community in North America, all while guiding students, as Vice President.

Director Of Operations: Alexandra Patzakis

Alexandra is originally from Pasadena, California, and is a junior at the University of Chicago. She is majoring in Sociology and Global Studies and hopes to pursue a career in public interest law. Alexandra currently serves as Co-President of the UChicago Hellenic Student Association, and last year, she was NHSA’s Regional Director of Chicago and the Great Lakes. On campus, she is involved with Model United Nations, Women+ in Law, and tutoring in Chicago Public Schools. Last year, Alexandra was the 2020 Speaker Series and Special Events Intern at the UChicago Institute of Politics and was the Vice President and Treasurer of her residential house. She is currently a Policy Intern at UnCommon Law in Oakland and has previously interned for Orleans Public Defenders, Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles, and the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles. In her free time, Alexandra loves to try new restaurants, bake, read, sing, keep up with politics and current events, and listen to Greek music. She is thrilled to continue to promote Hellenism while serving in this new role on NHSA’s Executive Board!

Treasurer: Nia Drimonis

Nia was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and is currently living in Toronto. Her Hellenic roots are from Monemvasia on her father’s side and her Spanish roots are from Cuba and Tenerife, Spain from her mother’s side. Growing up she would spend her summers living in Athens and all over in Lakonia.

Nia is a fourth-year student at Ryerson University and is studying International Relations, minoring in Psychology and is in the process of obtaining a Human Resource Management certificate. During her second year of University, she interned at Bisha Hotel and had the opportunity to work alongside the Human Resource Manager and Finance Director. Once graduated, she hopes to work in the field of Organizational Behaviour/HR.

On the side, Nia has had the opportunity to work on the Marketing team at one of Toronto’s popular summer lounges, Lavelle and has also worked on the events team at a Greek fine-dining restaurant. This will be Nia’s second year as Treasurer for NHSA and she is thrilled to continue working with amazing, hard working hellenic individuals. She cannot wait to see what this year holds for NHSA!

Director of Communications: Irene Coritsidis

Irene is a second-year student at the Florida State University College of Law. She serves as class representative for the Student Bar Association and board member of the Trafficking in America Task Force. After interning with the Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney, Irene discovered her interest in government work and policy reform. She completed a fall internship with the Florida House of Representatives and hopes to continue similar work in her legal career.

Born and raised in New York, Irene was heavily involved in the Hellenic community. She was president of the Archangel Michael GOYA and co-captain of both its volleyball team and dance troupe. Her Hellenic roots are based in Kalymnos (maternal) and Nisyros (paternal). In her first semester of college, Irene studied in Thessaloniki. She attributes much of her professional and personal growth to this experience.

Irene received her undergraduate degree from American University in Washington D.C. As a former Public Relations & Strategic Communications major, she gained experience in event planning and media management. She has interned with the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and American University’s School of Professional and Extended Studies.

As NHSA’s Director of Communications, Irene hopes to increase overall awareness and exposure of NHSA and its initiatives. She looks forward to organizing philanthropic and cultural events, preparing network opportunities, and cultivating an environment where Greek-Americans can grow. 

Director of Special Projects & Initiatives: Antonia Demopoulos

Antonia was born and raised in New York City before moving to Darien, Connecticut. Antonia is a senior undergraduate at the University of Rochester, majoring in Neuroscience and Religion (pre-med track). Her Greek roots are from the Peloponnese; both of her parents were born in Patras, Greece. Antonia is fluent in Greek and spends her summers at her house in Greece, which is located just outside of Patras. Antonia is very excited and grateful to be apart of this team. She hopes to maintain NHSA’s existing initiatives with integrity and create new opportunities that inspire Greek-American members.

Director of Marketing: Anastasia Vonortas

Anastasia Vonortas is a first-generation Greek American, born and raised in Canton, Ohio. Her hellenic roots stem from Chios (maternal) and Nafpaktos (paternal). Anastasia is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Akron, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Outside of school, Anastasia holds the position of President of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship chapter on campus; she is the VP of Marketing of Pi Sigma Epsilon, the co-ed marketing and sales fraternity; and she is employed as a Fitness Manager at the University of Akron’s Recreation and Wellness Center.

When Anastasia has free time, you can find her surrounding herself with friends and family, traveling to the homeland, or sipping on a frappe. Anastasia is excited to continue her second year with NHSA by integrating her passion for marketing with her love for her Hellenic Heritage!

Finance Director: Elizabeth Besieris

Elizabeth (Elle) Besieris is a first-generation Greek American from Detroit, Michigan. Currently, Elle is attending the University of Michigan-Dearborn pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance. While consecutively being on the Dean’s List, Elle has also been nominated into the National Society of Leadership and Success which honors the top percentile students at UM-Dearborn.

Her Hellenic roots stem from Athens (paternal) and Thessaloniki (maternal). Outside of her studies, Elle is actively engaged within local Detroit Hellenic organizations.  She began traditional Greek dancing at the age of eight and has performed at the Detroit Institute of Arts during many Hellenic Independence Day celebrations.

As NHSA’s Finance Director, Elle is thrilled to be a part of the organization at large while further exploring her career aspirations of being in Finance. She is looking forward to contributing to the organization’s bi-annual conventions and fundraising events.

Recruitment Director: Maria Mamouzelos

Maria is a third-year student at University of Illinois at Chicago. She was born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana yet spent her summers in Greece with her family. Her Hellenic roots stem entirely from Kalymnos, Greece as a first-generation Greek American. She is studying nutrition while on the pre-med path to fulfill her love of cooking and dream of becoming a Pediatrician.

As a Thea to 2 toddler boys and a baby girl, she spends most of her free time with family. Outside of her textbooks and nephews and niece, you can find her creating new things in the kitchen, brushing up on her favorite Greek dances, volunteering, or watching true crime.

As the Secretary of the UIC Hellenic Student Association, member of the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society, and member of the Kalymnian Society of Northwest Indiana, she loves to balance her time with giving back to her community and a good party.

Maria can’t wait to meet new people through NHSA and work together on new ideas and projects while growing the organization. She takes her frappe glyko me gala and can’t wait to learn how you like yours.

Logistics Director: Margarita Kyza-Karavioti

Margarita was born in Evanston, Illinois but moved to Cyprus at the age of 3. She is currently in Cyprus due to the Covid-19 pandemic but will eventually move to D.C. later in January. Both her parents were born and raised in Famagusta, Cyprus. Growing up, she spent her summers near the beach with her friends and family.
 
Margarita is a first-year student at George Washington University, studying Biological Sciences and hopefully minoring in psychology or double majoring in Environmental Studies. Maggie is interested in music, traveling, playing sudoku, and working out. She is a very social person and cannot wait to meet the other Board members and make 2021 a great and productive year.

IT Director: Agis Diamantis

He is currently a senior finishing up his last semester at the University of Michigan-Dearborn studying Computer and Information Science. Agis Diamantis a second-generation Greek-American from Detroit, MI and his Hellenic roots stem from Filiatra and Kyparissia on his mother’s side, and Nafpaktos on his father’s side.

While at school, he joined the Association for Computing Machinery and Upsilon Pi Epsilon: International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines. He is also a member of the local District 10 AHEPA and while being a member of these three organizations, he has helped teach local boy scouts programming and the history of computers.  Agis wishes to help continue the sense of community that the Greeks have established by going to local events and inviting as many people as he can in the process.

Regional Directors

Canada 2 Toronto : Kristina Valkanas

Kristina Valkanas is a second-generation Greek-Canadian with roots from the Peloponnese Region of Greece. As a child she would frequently visit her grandparents in Greece. A lifelong animal lover she once got herself in quite a bit of trouble after she decided to free the local shepherds goats from his avli. She’s not often seen in the absence of her siblings, and with the 4 of them present “kefi” is bound to follow.

This June Kristina completed her Bachelor’s of Science at the University of Toronto (UofT) after spending 4 years specializing in Neuroscience. She now works on sharing her knowledge with others through hosting an educational YouTube Channel called “NeuroscIQ” and “The BrainCore Podcast”.

During her time at UofT she was an executive on the Greek’s Students Association and she also served as a volunteer for the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, and Toronto’s Hellenic Home. After attending her first NHSA convention in 2018 she decided she wanted to become more involved with the association and is excited to be able to do so in her role as Toronto Regional Director.  She hopes to be able to disseminate the NHSA’s services throughout Ontario.

With philotimo at the core of her being she has a passion for helping others and is hoping to devote her life to doing so. Currently helping to support her community through the pandemic she volunteers for Canadian Blood Services, her city’s Big Brother/Big Sister Mentorship program, Distress Centers of Greater Toronto, and Inn from the Cold. Finally, she is presently working on becoming a certified Personal Support Care Worker to help progress her skills and learning on her journey to becoming a Medical Doctor.

Great Lakes: Tia Kotsiopoulos

Tia is a junior at Loyola University Chicago studying Marketing and Finance on a pre-law track. She is actively involved in Loyola’s Hellenic Student Association while currently holding the Campus Liaison (operations) position on the executive board for the university. She is also involved in her home parish’s YAL, and involved in Kappa Delta sorority on campus.

Originally from Barrington, Illinois she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and greek dancing. Her Hellenic Roots stem from Kalamata on her paternal side, and Athens on the maternal side. Being a second generation greek women has influenced her to embrace her greek heritage and enjoy the culture. She has also had the opportunity to intern for TheGreekend this past summer, and gain experience in social media engagement.

Tia is so excited to be the new Regional Director for the Chicagoland area, and meet new people through NHSA. She is looking forward to contributing new ideas, and being apart of an amazing organization that embraces her Hellenic heritage!

Mideast: Zachary Cotronakis

Zac Cotronakis is a third-year student at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Zac was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Juno Beach, Florida. All four of his grandparents are Greek immigrants. His paternal roots hail from Chania, Crete and his maternal roots hail from Karlovasi, Samos.

At GW, Zac is currently pursuing a degree in Economics and History. He is very active within GWU’s Hellenic Student Association and Orthodox Christian Fellowship. In addition, he is a light heavyweight competitor for GWU’s Club Boxing Team.

Zac is passionate about protecting, celebrating, and promoting Hellenism in the United States. In addition to the NHSA, he currently works for the National Hellenic Society, the Washington Oxi Day Foundation, and a Greek-owned lobbying firm, Manatos & Manatos, that advocates for Greek-American interests on Capitol Hill.

Zac is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan (go Browns!) and is an avid reader, runner, and swimmer. He is very proud of his Greek heritage and is honored to be working with the National Hellenic Student Association.

New York: Stephanie Papoustakis

Stephanie Papoustakis was born in New York, NY and currently resides in Westbury, NY. Her Hellenic Roots stem from Crete, on her Father’s side, and from Nisyros and Evia, on her Mother’s side. She spends her summers visiting family and enjoying the sun on the beach in Crete.  

In the spring of 2021, she will graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Business at St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY. While diligently working on her bachelors, she is simultaneously working towards a Master of Business Administration Degree with a Concentration in Risk and Financial Advisory. While pursuing her degree at St. John’s University, Stephanie participated in on campus events and was actively engaged with the Hellenic Society holding two board positions. She formerly held the Secretary position and was later elected as President, which she continues to hold until her graduation in the spring. In both of these positions, she recruited members and grew the clubs overall roster to over 100 active members. Stephanie’s laissez-faire leadership style inspired members to become more active during meetings, fundraisers, and events. While President, Stephanie strived to raise money for local Greek charities through fundraisers and volunteer work, which was something that she is very passionate about. Her candid and outgoing personality is one of the many reasons that she was able to coordinate events on campus with other organizations as well as with universities in the Tri-state area.

For these reasons, she decided to join NHSA as the Northeast Regional Director in hopes of communicating and networking with various schools on a larger scale. Stephanie is excited to promote and advocate for the values that NHSA stands by, all while celebrating the rich culture that we share across North America.

Southwest: Antonia Klima

Antonia was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently a senior at UCLA studying Psychology and Theater. She hopes to move to Washington D.C. in the fall to receive her Masters in Forensic Psychology. Her goal is to become a Criminal Profiler and Behavioral Analyst for the FBI.

During her freshman year at UCLA, she founded the university’s first Hellenic Student Association and has been serving as President for the past 3 years. In 2019, Antonia served as the Outreach Chair for the revamping of the 2019 Southern California YAL Conference.

Antonia attends Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA and is an active parishioner and has played on the GOYA basketball team since 7th grade. She has attended Saint Sophia Camp since she was 6 years old and has served as lead counselor since 2017.

She is so excited to serve on the NHSA Executive Board this year and cannot wait to meet you all!

Digital Media Strategist: ​Stamatina Mylonas

Stamatina is a first-generation Greek American born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Her roots are from the areas of Pontos, Kalavrita, and Kefalonia.  She studied Communications and International Relations at Penn State University and the University of Sydney.  She also focused on Geoscience and Geology and wrote specialized articles for the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.  She hopes to use her experience in these fields to further sustainable and ethical practices towards the environment - because the Earth does not need us, but we need the Earth!

Stamatina is a Cambridge certified and experienced English as a second language teacher, working with kids and adults from all different backgrounds in the United States and Greece.  She works with Greek heritage groups in her community who aim to preserve our history and traditions and pass it on to the next generation, as well as various philanthropic and human rights advocacy groups.   She seizes every opportunity to travel to Greece and to be involved in organizations and events that celebrate our Greek heritage.

Traveling, writing, and photography are her passions and she hopes to use these to tell a story that will make a positive and lasting difference in the world.  She writes a regular column for the National Herald / Ethnikos Kirikas that highlights the history and hidden treasures of various places throughout Greece.  She is currently working on an Environmental Education initiative to ensure the health and safety of the unique natural world in Greece.  Stamatina is optimistic and excited for the future of NHSA, and all the good things this organization is doing for our community.

Consultant: Rene Vorilas

Rene Vorilas is a senior entering her last semester at Binghamton University’s School of Management. Her major is Business Administration with a concentration in leadership and consulting. Rene is the President of Binghamton’s Hellenic Cultural Society, and the Founder and President of Binghamton’s Business Fashion Society. Rene took the consultant position following her term as Vice President for NHSA last year! Over the course of Rene as President for the Binghamton Hellenic Cultural Society, Rene grew the club from 42 members to 208. She is skilled in the newest technologies, getting members to be involved in a virtual world, and much more.

Her home parish is St. Nicholas in West Babylon, and her hometown is West Islip… Rene’s father is the President of her church, her mother in the philoptochos and head of the food pantry. It is truly in Rene’s blood to devote her time and energy to the culture and community that has been all she has ever known! Her hellenic roots stem from Sparta.

Rene will be joining Protiviti, inc. in New York following graduation as a foundations consultant. As a professional consultant, Rene could not think of a better position to take at NHSA, where she can provide the most value to the clubs and organizations that celebrate her culture tremendously