About Us – The Hellenic Initiative Canada

Mission

THI Canada aims to mobilize the Greek diaspora and Philellenes for the benefit of Greece. Our mission is to help vulnerable groups in Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization in this time of crisis. We believe in the power of change through synergy and collaboration - Oloi Mazi!

About Us

The Hellenic Initiative Canada is the latest addition to The Hellenic Initiative Worldwide. The Hellenic Initiative was founded in 2012 by members of the global Greek and philhellene communities who were moved to respond to the worsening economic crisis, Greece’s short-term needs and long term recovery. Primary objectives include feeding and caring for the most vulnerable children and the elderly.

In 2015, Australia became the first diaspora community to form a local chapter of The Hellenic Initiative. Now, Canada has joined this inspiring initiative to help bring Greece back to its feet.

THI Canada was founded in the summer of 2016 in order to add Canada’s contribution to this urgent need for help. THI Canada was federally incorporated in July of 2016 and is a registered charity under the Canada Income Tax Act.

Virtually all funds raised in Canada will be directed to the relief agencies we have partnered with in Greece without any overhead expense as THI’s local representative will be monitoring our programs without additional cost. We vet every application for support, for compliance with our objectives, for immediate impact, reporting and financial transparency. Since our first program with the well recognized SOS Villages Greece we have worked with Prolepsis Diatrofi to provide meals to impoverished students faced with food insecurity, the Giannitsa and St. George temple Soup Kitchen and the Doctors of the World on several programs focused on providing access to healthcare services for vulnerable groups, including seniors with our 60+ during the Pandemic program.

THI Canada aims to marshall the well known generosity of Canadians to help families, including the elderly, in this time of crisis primarily through private and public solicitations.

Leadership

Executive Directors

Alexander Georgiadis

Co-President

President, Krinos Foods Canada Ltd.

John Sotos

Co-President

President, Sotos LLP

Anna Antonopoulos

Treasurer

CFO, The Corner Collection

Jenny Mboutsiadis

Secretary

Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Tula Alexopoulos

Former Director, Ontario Securities Commission

Chair, Grants Committee

Executive Board

Directors

Elias Retsinas

Senior Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Zisis Haritos

Former Regional Advisor, United Nations Secretariat

Katerina Sokou

Chair, PR and Marketing

Communications Director, Washington, D.C. correspondent

Nikos Koumettis

President, Europe Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company

Steven Makrinos

Chair, New Leaders Executive

Founder and President, BenefitsPensions.com

Peter Kollias

CFP, CIM®, DMS, MBA, Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

Nik Nanos

Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research

Alexandra Tzannidakis

Senior Associate, KPMG Law LLP

Jenny Boussoulas

CEO, JET Accounting & Consulting

Tony Lourakis

CEO, Fleet Complete

Steve Mirkopoulos

former CEO Cinespace Studios

Constantin Tzembelicos

CEO 228 Elysian Project Advisory Group Limited

Honourary Directors

Robert Peck

Former Ambassador of Canada to the Hellenic Republic (2011-2015)

Steve Vranakis

Chief Creative Officer of Greece

THI Canada Staff

Natasha Bourliaskou

Executive Director

Maria Fotopoulos

Director of Community Development

Giovanni Prete

Interim Operations Manager

Katerina Alexakis

Marketing specialist

Hercules Kiriakidis

Information Technology

New Leaders Executive

George Chatzivasileiou

Michael Coulouras

Yonida Koukio

Secretary

Michael Kounadis

Montréal

Patricia Kumbakisaka

Jasmine Louras

Anatoly Mavromati

Public Relations

Thomas Milousis

Mentorship Programs

Stephanie Petsis

Tania Tsamalidis

Montréal

Vasilia Vastis

New Leaders Volunteers

Peter Argyropoulos
Petros Babasikas
Polizois Coulouras
Terry Farsalas
Nicholas Georgantonis
Dimitri Giannoulias
Luke Gravett
Marika Ioannidis
Anastasia Kakagiannis
Dam Lazarou
Evan Mamas
Bradley Markis
Nik Metaxas
Athanasios Milousis
Gerasimos Pagoulatos
Athanasios Papadas
Frank Papanikolaou
George Petridis
Elena Poulos
William Stratas
Georgie Tsiolis
Billy Tsiolis
Tsianos Vasileios
Chrysoula Voulgari

In the News

February 27, 2024

The Hellenic Initiative’s Global End Of Year Appeal Raises $80,000 For Children’s Educational Support

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January 4, 2024

Greek American Millionaire Leaves Fortune for His Village in Greece

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August 1, 2023

The Hellenic Initiative Canada Announces Collaboration with ELPIDA, in Honor of Marianna V. Vardinogianni

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May 10, 2023

THI Canada Launches Scholarship Program for Greek Students to Study in Canada

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April 1, 2023

Dendias Addresses “The Hellenic Initiative Canada” Online Event

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March 22, 2023

THI Canada Co-Hosts Minister Dendias and Minister Joly in Canada

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March 17, 2023

THI Canada teams up with nine foundations to help Greek startups, nonprofit groups

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March 16, 2023

THI Canada Partners with 9 Other Foundations on the Points of Support Program

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March 16, 2023

10 Foundations Join Forces to Help Start-Ups, Non-Profits in Greece

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March 15, 2023

Σημεία Στήριξης 10 Κοινωφελή Ιδρύματα συμπράττουν εκ νέου για την ενίσχυση της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών

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March 13, 2023

THI Canada & THI Australia Announce New Grant for Desmos Food-Aid Program

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February 28, 2023

Points of Support Program: Small Grants, Big Ideas

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February 28, 2023

10 Κοινωφελή Ιδρύματα συμπράττουν εκ νέου για την ενίσχυση μικρών οργανώσεων της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών

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February 28, 2023

Κοινωφελή ιδρύματα συμπράττουν για την ενίσχυση της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών

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February 20, 2023

THI Canada Renews Agreement with Cerebral Palsy Greece Open Door

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December 22, 2022

THI Canada & THI Australia Joint End of Year Appeal for Greece

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October 20, 2022

Toronto Economic Forum Highlights Synergies between Greece and Canada

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October 18, 2022

Μεγάλη η δυναμική Ελλάδας - Καναδά για την ανάπτυξη διμερών συνεργασιών

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October 18, 2022

Η Ελλάδα Θα Προχωρήσει Στην Κύρωση Της CETA, Μόλις Επιλυθούν Ορισμένα Εκκρεμή Ζητήματα

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October 17, 2022

A more ambitious vision for Greece-Canada ties

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October 13, 2022

Toronto Economic Forum to Connect Greece and Canada

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October 10, 2022

Μεγάλη η δυναμική Ελλάδας-Καναδά για την ανάπτυξη διμερών συνεργασιών

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October 4, 2022

Smyrna my beloved: Immersing into the events of Smyrna 1922

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June 7, 2022

Doctors of the World Care for the 60+ Program Presentation

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May 20, 2022

Doctors of the World Ukrainian Relief

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March 15, 2022

Scholarship in Music announcement - Greek Language in Canada

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March 14, 2022

THI Canada New Leaders Speaker Series on “Who Owns History?”

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January 20, 2022

The Passion of the Greek Diaspora for their homeland

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January 11, 2022

Announcement for the Allocation of the Wildfire Relief Campaign Funds 2021

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November 5, 2021

HOPEgenesis welcome newest family member on the island of Kasos

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November 5, 2021

New Leader Ambassador Marissa Papaconstantinou

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August 19, 2021

Fund στον Καναδά για τους πυρόπληκτους στην Ελλάδα με «άρωμα» Energean

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August 4, 2021

THI Canada Works with HOPEgenesis to Reverse Negative Birth Rate of Greece

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April 2, 2021

Hellenic Initiative Canada - Webinar with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias

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February 10, 2021

Greek Tax Residency Webinar

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July 22, 2020

Athens and Epidaurus Festival Online

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October 3, 2019

Freedom Besieged Calgary

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August 30, 2019

THI Canada to support the Giannitsa Soup Kitchen in Greece

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Contact Us

Help us in our efforts to provide direct crisis relief to the people of Greece.

Support Our Work

The Hellenic Initiative Canada is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charity (Reg# 760475491 RR 0001). When you make a donation you will receive an official donation receipt for income tax purposes issued from The Hellenic Initiative Canada.

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