To continue my series of organizations I support, I would like to take this month to highlight the Leadership 100 organization. Leadership 100 is known for “advancing Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America.”

It all started in 1984 when Archbishop Iakovos created an endowment fund to allow Greek Orthodox leaders to follow through with the ministries of the church. This endowment was named the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund. Almost 15 years later, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was formed, the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership Fund Incorporated. According to their website, this “supports the National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in advancement of Orthodoxy and Hellenism.”

Since the beginning of this organization, it has given out more than $48 million in grants. These grants have provided scholarships and supported different ministries including Religious and Greek Education as well as Family and Marriage Services. In addition, humanitarian assistance has been provided during crises both national and international. Grants are approved by the Leadership 100 Executive Committee but only after they’ve gone through a consultation with the Archbishop and submitted by the Grant Committee.

To become a member, one must pledge $100,000 to the foundation. This can be paid over 10 years or, for young professionals and junior members, it can be paid on a graduated scale. As of today, there are over 1,000 members. Leadership 100 has become a well-known driving force within the Greek Orthodox Church, the Greek-American Community, and the nation as a whole.

The current executive committee is made of up of the following eleven members: George S. Tsandikos (Chairman), Argyris Vassiliou (Vice Chairman), Kassandra L. Romas (Secretary), Thomas G. Jordan (Treasurer), John A. Catsimatidis, Mike A Manatos, Demetrios G. Logothetis, Peter J. Pappas, Theodore K. Zampetis, Emanuel J. Cotronakis (Legal Counsel), and Paulette Poulos(Executive Director).

Leadership 100 always has upcoming events. The major event is the 27th Annual Leadership 100 Annual Conference which will be held from February 1st to February 4th. This year, the conference will be held in Miami, Florida at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Reservations can be made here.