Executive Board

President: Francesca Rimbos

Francesca Rimbos is a second-generation Greek American born and raised in Burr Ridge, Illinois, with family roots in Lefkada and Sparti. Deeply connected to her Hellenic heritage, Francesca has been actively involved in the Greek community from a young age. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong appreciation for Greek culture, faith, and service, which continues to guide her leadership and involvement today. She remains actively engaged in her Greek Orthodox church community, where she is committed
to giving back and supporting youth and cultural initiatives.
Francesca graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Business of Health. During her time at NSU, she founded and served as President of the university’s Hellenic Student Association, creating a space for Greek and Cypriot students to connect, celebrate their culture, and build a strong sense of community on campus. She will be starting dental school in September as a DMD candidate at Midwestern University–Illinois, where she will pursue her passion for healthcare and patient-centered care.
Francesca has been actively involved with the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) for several years and is currently serving her fourth year on the NHSA board as President. Her previous roles include serving as Regional Director of the Southeast in 2023 and 2024, where she worked closely with Hellenic student organizations to strengthen regional engagement and collaboration. In 2025, she served as Director of Special Projects and Initiatives, where she led NHSA’s Athens, Greece beach clean-up, uniting students and young professionals in a hands-on effort to give back to Greece and promote environmental stewardship.

Vice President: Vana Servos

Vana Servos was born and raised in Athens, Greece, before moving to Stamford, CT in 2015. With family roots in Ithaki, Sparti, and Pyrgos, she has always maintained a deep connection to her Greek heritage. Since relocating to the United States, Vana has been highly involved in her local Greek Orthodox church community, where she has served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of her GOYA chapter. She continues to give back whenever she is home by assisting with Greek school, Sunday school, and Greek dancing, further reinforcing her commitment to Hellenic culture and youth engagement.
Vana graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Communication Studies, concentrating in Management and Marketing, and a minor in Psychology. During her time at Northeastern, she was a vital member of the Northeastern Hellenic Society, serving as Secretary, Vice President, President, and most recently as Alumni and Collaborations Chair. Through these roles, she focused on strengthening the Greek and Cypriot student community, expanding alumni relations, and fostering meaningful connections both on campus and throughout the Greater Boston area.

Professionally, Vana joined Wayfair full-time in January 2026 as an Associate in Talent Development after completing a six-month co-op with the company during her fourth year at Northeastern. In her role, she focuses on onboarding and the new hire experience, where she continues to develop her skills in organizational development, employee engagement, and large-scale program coordination.
Vana has been actively involved with the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) for several years, having attended more than five conventions and previously serving as the Regional Director of New England. In this role, she worked closely with local Hellenic student associations and helped strengthen relationships with the Consulate General of Greece in Boston and other community partners. In 2026, Vana is honored to serve as Vice President of NHSA, where she is eager to further expand NHSA’s presence across the United States and Canada by strengthening collaboration among student organizations, supporting Hellenic initiatives, and increasing student and young professional involvement throughout North America.
At her core, being Greek is a fundamental part of who Vana is. She has a deep love for Greek culture, traditions, food, music, and dance, and believes strongly in leadership rooted in parea—building genuine relationships, fostering unity, and creating lifelong connections beyond the college years. She looks forward to a meaningful year ahead and is excited to continue serving the Hellenic student community through NHSA.

Director Of Operations: Robert Pavlopoulos

Robert Pavlopoulos was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He is a first generation Greek-Canadian with his Greek roots coming from Athens and Syros on his father’s side and Amaliada on his mother’s. In addition to completing his BComm degree in Business & Finance, he has completed the Acting for Film, TV & Theatre program at Toronto Film School and has been working as an actor since. He has starred in multiple movies, he has lent his voice to multiple video games, and he was a face of Canada for a FIFA commercial for the upcoming World Cup ‘26.
Robert has been involved with the Greek community and Hellenic landscape in Toronto since he was a child. Growing up, he regularly attended St. Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church and would often volunteer his time. Over the years, he helped the church during services, he taught Sunday School, he assisted with youth groups and is still a part of the dance group. As he got older and entered university, Robert immediately joined the Hellenic Students Association as a general member before quickly rising the ranks to the executive board. His time on the HSA lead him to become their President where with the help of the rest of the board, he began the process of re-opening the HSA to the students and re-connecting Greeks across the city after a long and difficult pandemic. Robert often volunteers at Greek initiatives where he loves to meet new people and help spread Hellenism.
Robert is excited to be back on the NHSA’s executive board for a third term, this time taking on the responsibilities of the organization’s Director of Operations. Using his, experience, leadership, professionalism and drive, Robert intends on being a crucial cog in the mission to expand the NHSA’s outreach not only within Toronto, but across Canada and North America as a whole. He plans on doing this while continuing to make long lasting connections and promote positive experiences. There are a lot of exciting things planned for the NHSA and its members during 2026 and Robert, along with the rest of the fantastic team, is eager and determined to help make it one of the most meaningful and successful years in the organization’s history.

Treasurer: Dionysi Feradouros

Director of Communications: Helena Syrianos

Helena Syrianos is a Toronto born and raised second-generation Greek Canadian, with Hellenic roots from Zakynthos, Evia, Thessalia, and Arkadia. As someone whose heritage has forever been central to her identity, values, and life trajectory, Helena views the NHSA as a community that extends far beyond her local reach — a transnational network of emerging leaders where she has had the privilege of connecting with like-minded individuals and collaboratively leaving a lasting footprint on the Hellenic diaspora. Entering her fourth year on the executive board, Helena is elated and honoured to serve in an elected role as the Director of Communications, following two consecutive terms as the Recruitment Director and one term as the Toronto Regional Director.

Helena is currently a master’s candidate in Applied Psychology and Human Development at the University of Toronto, where she also serves as the Graduate Student Representative for master’s and PhD students of Greek heritage. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Cognitive Science, a double minor in Science, Technology, and Society & Urban Studies, and a wellness certificate. This unique combination of academic disciplines is united by a central focus on understanding human behaviour — whether through psychological processes, technological interactions, or geographical and urban dynamics. This interdisciplinary education has equipped her with a holistic lens to examine how individuals and communities navigate and shape the world around them. She is deeply passionate about leveraging this perspective to create meaningful impact. This is no different from her pursuit of purpose-driven, connection-centred leadership in nonprofit organizations — where her personal values, academic interests, and professional goals intersect.

Helena’s passion for her Greek heritage and leadership, combined with her extensive experience in both areas, has fuelled her commitment to advancing NHSA’s prominence in Canada. A strong advocate for the power of community, and having experienced firsthand the collaboration and connection that NHSA fosters breaking international borders, Helena is dedicated to strengthening the organization’s public relations and network. She strives to do so by enhancing communications between regional chapters, amplifying inter-regional initiatives, and cultivating partnerships with external organizations within the Hellenic student and young professional communities across Canada and the United States.

Director of Special Projects & Initiatives:
Adoni Vassilyadi

Adoni Vassilyadi was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, as a proud second-generation Greek Canadian. His Hellenic heritage traces back to Messinia on his mother’s side and Constantinople on his father’s side. At the University of Ottawa, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics in 2024, a Master of Applied Science in Anatomical Sciences Education in 2025, and is currently completing a Master of Public Health. His goal is to become a sports medicine physician.
Deeply dedicated to the Hellenic Community of Ottawa, Adoni serves as a Youth Advisor for GOYA, a Lead Altar Assistant, and a member of the committee for the Ottawa Hellenic Young Adults (OHYA). One of his passions is Greek dancing, and he has been teaching children ages 7 to 10 since 2024. He is also an active member of the Odyssey Dance Troupe and serves on its executive team. His leadership extends beyond the local community, as he is actively involved with the Sons of Pericles and serves nationally as Vice President of Met Youth Canada.
As one of the co-founders of the University of Ottawa Hellenic Student Association (uOHSA), Adoni played a key role in revitalizing the organization after over a decade of inactivity. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Social Media Manager and Public Relations Officer, working alongside a dedicated executive team to grow the association to over 50 active members. His passion for Hellenic culture and community development has been instrumental in the association’s success. With the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA), Adoni served as the Regional Director for Ottawa/Montreal in 2024 and 2025. Now in 2026, he has been elected as Director of Special Projects and Initiatives, and is committed to evolving the NHSA Beach Clean Up while continuing to strengthen Hellenic student associations across Canada. He hopes to inspire more young Greeks to embrace their heritage, connect with their communities, and become active leaders. Excited for the year ahead, Adoni looks forward to continuing his mission of fostering unity, cultural pride, and engagement within NHSA.

Director of Marketing: Irene Chrysostomou

Irene-Maria Chrysostomou is a first-generation Greek American born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Her Hellenic roots stem from Paphos, Cyprus on her father’s side, and Katerini and Gytheio on her mother’s side. She has been very involved in her Greek community at home and has spent most summers visiting family in both Greece and Cyprus, further strengthening her love for her culture and background.

Irene is currently pursuing her MBA from New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business. She graduated from Boston University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and dual concentration in Real Estate and Marketing from the Questrom School of Business, and a minor in Modern Greek Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. During her two years serving as Secretary of the BU Hellenic Association, Irene recruited many new members and hosted several successful events, as well as helped manage the social media accounts and foster communication between the HSA, its members, and the university. Overall, this position allowed her to connect with Greek and Cypriot students throughout Boston University, along with students in various surrounding universities.

This is Irene’s fourth year serving on the NHSA board, and she is excited to meet even more Greek and Cypriot students and young professionals from all over North America and help NHSA spread their values. She is passionate about her Greek culture and looks forward to helping unite Greeks and Cypriots throughout North America. Irene’s past positions include the Regional Director of New England and Digital Media Strategist. She is excited to hold the position of Director of Marketing for a 2nd year, and plans to continue to strengthen NHSA’s image and expand its reach and presence. Over the past 3 years, Irene has helped plan 6 convention weekends in cities throughout the United States and Canada, and looks forward to planning 2 more amazing conventions this year! She is thrilled to, once again, have the opportunity to build her network and meet new people, while strengthening her own culture and helping promote Hellenism and NHSA’s values to prospective members of NHSA.

Finance Director: Vasili Brisnovalis

Vasilios Brisnovalis is a licensed general contractor and licensed real estate agent with a well-rounded background spanning construction, real estate, and finance. He currently works as a licensed general contractor at Armos 8 Restoration, where he specializes in both residential and commercial projects throughout New York City. In parallel, he is an active licensed real estate agent, allowing him to provide clients with comprehensive guidance across development, transactions, and property ownership.
Prior to his current role, Vasilios worked as a Financial Analyst at Argo Real Estate, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 30 commercial properties. In this role, he ensured that clients met all critical operational and regulatory requirements, including compliance, audits, budgeting, tax coordination, and financial reporting. Before becoming a financial analyst, he also gained hands-on experience as a property manager, further strengthening his understanding of day-to-day building operations and tenant relations. This combination of construction, financial, and management experience has consistently resulted in high client satisfaction and strong, long-term professional relationships.
Vasilios earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Long Island University, where he also competed as a Division I soccer player. Through discipline and focus, he accelerated his academic path and graduated in just three years. Leveraging the time he saved, he began his graduate studies early and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Finance from Baruch College, completing the program the following year. While at Baruch, he was an active member of the Baruch Finance Club, where he built meaningful industry connections, helped recruit like-minded students, and assisted in organizing professional and networking events.
With a unique blend of real estate, construction, finance, and leadership experience, Vasilios Brisnovalis brings a results-driven, client-focused approach to every project he undertakes.

Recruitment Director: Stylianos Gelis

Stylianos Gelis was born and raised in Megara, Greece, and is a proud Greek-American whose heritage consistently shapes his leadership and service. In 2018, he moved with his family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in pursuit of greater opportunities. His family’s roots stem from Megara on his father’s side and Aspropyrgos and Thrace on his mother’s side, contributing to his deep appreciation for the cultural and historical legacy of Hellenism across generations and continents.
Stylianos is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Nova Southeastern University, where he also completed minors in Global Engagement and Health Science to strengthen his cultural and scientific awareness further. He aspires to attend medical school and continue his educational journey toward his goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. At Nova Southeastern University, he co-founded the Hellenic Student Union to establish a space where Greek students could share their heritage and strengthen their connection to their cultural roots. The organization served as a platform for students to learn more about Greek history, traditions, and values while promoting cultural awareness to the university’s broader student population. As Vice President during his undergraduate years, he helped lay the foundation for future generations to continue their academic journeys while remaining closely connected to their Hellenic identity and celebrating their heritage.
Greek Orthodox traditions continue to guide Stylianos’s daily life, offering a strong sense of pride and belonging. He remains closely connected to the local Greek community by attending church events, cultural festivals, and celebrations that keep him rooted in his faith and heritage. He currently serves as a Greek school teacher at his local parish and is actively involved in church activities, believing that honoring the past is essential to paving the path for future generations.
This is Stylianos’s second year serving on the National Hellenic Student Association Executive Board. In his first year, he served as the Regional Director for the Southeast, where he strengthened relationships with member chapters and recruited additional schools to further expand the reach of NHSA throughout the South. He is currently serving as the Recruitment Director for the National Hellenic Student Association, where he aims to expand membership on a national scale and maximize student engagement within the Greek diaspora across North America. He looks forward to the year ahead and remains committed to continuing his mission both individually and collectively in service to NHSA.

Logistics Director: Labrini Bratsos

Labrini Bratsos is a first-generation Greek American from Chicago, Illinois, with roots in Arcadia, Tripoli, Pylos, Messinia, and Rize, Turkey. She has spent most summers overseas visiting family and friends, deepening her connection to her Hellenic heritage. Labrini believes heritage is an important part of identity and has been able to connect many Chicagoland students with Greek heritage through her efforts in various organizations. She is also passionate about fundraising, particularly for Greek schools, recently raising over $11,000 to support educational initiatives.
Labrini is currently finishing her Health Sciences degree at DePaul University with minors in Biology and Chemistry, pursuing a career in podiatry. She is actively involved in pre-health organizations at DePaul and has dedicated much of her time to the Greek community, participating in numerous cultural and organizational events.
This is Labrini’s first year on the NHSA board as Logistics Director. She has also been a leader in the DePaul Hellenic Student Association for the past four years, serving as President and Event Coordinator, and she is excited to continue fostering connections within the Greek community across North America while promoting Hellenism and NHSA’s values.

IT Director: Evangelia Kahremanis

Evangelia is a second-generation Greek American born and raised in Northville, Michigan. Her Greek roots reside in Peloponnese, with her mother’s side from Avlona and Megalopolis, and her father’s side from Argos and Nafplio. Evangelia graduated from the University of Michigan in 2024, with a double Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Modern Greek. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University, ultimately aiming to work in neurotechnology, brain-computer interfaces, and international business. Growing up both a ballerina and scientist, Evangelia intends to integrate neural prosthetics with visual and performing arts, offering a unique approach to rehabilitation and mobility enhancement.

At the University of Michigan, Evangelia served as the Hellenic Student Association’s Social Chair and President. In these roles, she synthesized leadership and strategy, executing unique events to strengthen Michigan’s Hellenic student involvement. Moreover, during her membership in the Michigan International Students Society, she collaborated with Greek students to organize events highlighting Greek culture and traditions– an initiative which fostered cross-cultural awareness and understanding among students from across the globe. In addition to extracurriculars, Evangelia spent two summers studying Greek Art, Architecture, and Language in Athens and Thessaloniki. In May 2022, she participated in a translation competition, where she earned the Vasilis Lambropoulos Modern Greek Translation Prize.

Evangelia is eager to join NHSA as IT Director, to engage with the Greek American and Canadian community on a larger scale– in particular, she aims to optimize NHSA platforms to further Hellenic engagement both nationally and internationally. She is passionate about promoting NHSA’s dynamic network, enabling Hellenic individuals to thrive professionally and personally.

Regional Directors

Northeast (New York Tri-State): Mbrisli Fusha

Mbrisli Fusha is a Mathematical Business Economics student and currently pursues an undergraduate degree at Hofstra University expecting to graduate in May 2027. Throughout his educational career at Hofstra University, Mbrisli has shown exemplary academic achievements and has been developing valuable skills in economics and finance. Additionally, Mbrisli currently serves as the Treasurer of the Economics Club at Hofstra University. As such, he has been responsible for financial management and budgeting of the organization and ensuring responsible spending of funds for various events. Mbrisli is highly interested in finance and investments and is pursuing a career in the field, driven by a strong interest in global markets and research.

Mbrisli was born and raised in Chania, Greece, where he spent his formative and teenage years. His family’s story is shaped by immigration, as his parents moved from Albania to Greece over 30 years ago in pursuit of opportunity and stability. Growing up at the intersection of Albanian heritage and Greek society gave Mbrisli a strong appreciation for identity, diaspora, resilience, and multicultural perspective. In 2023, he moved to the United States and specifically in New York to pursue his studies in Economics, motivated by his strong interest in economics, global markets, finance, and academic opportunity. This transition from a small town in Greece to perhaps one of the biggest metropolitan centers in the world, marked an important step in his personal and professional development, allowing him to combine his Greek-Albanian upbringing with an international academic and professional outlook.

Great Lakes: Christos Retsinas

Christos Retsinas was born and raised in Palos Heights, Illinois, and is a second-generation Greek American with family roots in Sparti, Greece. He is currently a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, pursuing a dual degree in Finance and Accountancy, with an expected graduation in 2027. Following his undergraduate studies, Christos plans to attend law school.
Professionally, Christos has gained experience in internal audit, developing a strong foundation in risk assessment, controls, and financial analysis. He will further build on this background as a Risk Analyst at BP in the summer of 2026, where he looks forward to deepening his exposure to enterprise risk, compliance, and large-scale business operations.
At UIUC, Christos is an active member of both the Orthodox Christian Fellowship and the Hellenic Student Association, where he remains deeply engaged with faith-based and cultural initiatives on campus. He is eager to contribute as Regional Director of the Great Lakes, with a focus on helping younger generations connect with their Greek heritage. Christos is passionate about strengthening Hellenic identity, fostering community, and creating opportunities for Greek American youth to remain engaged with their roots while navigating academic and professional growth.

Canada - Ontario (Toronto): Stavroula Aggelonitis

Stavroula Theodosia Aggelonitis is a Greek Canadian, born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in London, Ontario. Both sides of Stavroula’s family are from the Peloponnese region in Greece. Her father’s side is from Monemvasia and her mother’s side is from Nestani, a village near Tripoli.

Stavroula is currently in her third year of undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario (UWO), where she is pursuing an Honours Specialization in Family Studies and Human Development within the Department of Health Sciences, along with a Certificate in Purpose-Driven Leadership through Ivey. Her long-term goal is to pursue graduate studies in a field such as public health, occupational therapy, or human development, where she hopes to integrate her passion for helping others with her academic and professional interests.
In addition to her studies, Stavroula serves as President for the UWO Hellenic Society, where she plays a vital role in organizing and coordinating cultural events and activities for students. Her leadership in this capacity allows her to engage with both the Hellenic and broader campus communities, fostering connections and promoting Hellenism.
She is thrilled to be a part of the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) for her second year! Stavroula currently serves as the Regional Director for Ontario. She looks forward to working alongside fellow students to support and strengthen the Hellenic community across regions. She is excited about the opportunities ahead and eager to contribute to the association’s efforts to promote Hellenic culture and heritage.

Canada - Ottawa & Montreal: Ioanna Karlis

Ioanna Karlis was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada and is a second-generation Greek-Canadian. Her family roots are spread out all across Greece, with her mother’s side being from Samos and Partheni, and her father’s side being from Athens and Paradisia. She is also heavily involved with the Hellenic Community of Ottawa. She is an active member of the community’s performing dance group (Odyssey Dance Troupe) and a teacher for the community’s dance school. During her childhood, she was a member of Ottawa’s Met Youth group, taught Sunday School for countless years, and was enrolled in the local Greek school.
In 2022, she co-founded and brought back the new University of Ottawa Hellenic Student Association after having been dormant for many years. She served as both Vice-President and President and has helped to grow the club to what it is today. She graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Second-Language Teaching (Magna Cum Laude) while pursuing the French immersion stream. Now enrolled in the Teacher Education (French as a Second Language) program at the University of Ottawa, she is working to become an elementary school French teacher, a dream of hers since she was a child.
As of 2026, Ioanna has started her first term on the NHSA board as the Regional Director for the Ottawa/Montreal region. Her main goal is to help create more Hellenic Student Associations throughout these regions as a way to promote Hellenism and build strong relationships amongst young professionals and students.

New England: Katerina Gardner

Katerina Gardner is a proud second generation Greek-American from Redwood City, California. She traces her Greek roots through her mother, whose parents (her yiayia and pappou) are immigrants from Kalamata, Messinia. Despite being only half Greek, Katerina has always felt deeply connected to her Hellenic identity, due in large part to her family’s emphasis on the importance of tradition, and their determination to instill in her a deep sense of respect for her heritage. Katerina constantly strives to remain connected to her Greek identity, through language, faith, and culture. She travels to Greece almost every summer, and can almost always be found listening to Greek radio and music or watching Greek television to maintain her understanding of the language. She is an active member of her Church community as a frequent volunteer at Church events, and as a vital member of the Church’s adult Greek dance group, competing at the annual Folk Dance Festival (FDF) every year.

Katerina is a junior at Boston College, studying Biology on a Pre-Medical track, while also pursuing a minor in Theology. She is also the current Vice President of both the Boston College Hellenic Society and Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and previously served as the Hellenic Society’s treasurer. As an executive board member of these two organizations, Katerina helps to preserve the most important aspects of Hellenic identity and share them with the greater Boston College community through exciting and engaging events. Since moving to Boston, Katerina has also joined the Metropolis of Boston Greek Dance Group, performing at local Greek festivals, professional sporting events, and the Boston Greek Independence Day Parade. She also traveled to Greece to perform with the group at the Dora Stratou Theatre in Athens and in Santorini.

This is Katerina’s first year on the NHSA board, as the appointed Regional Director of New England. Through her position, she hopes to further broaden the network of Greek-American young adults on the East Coast, and strengthen the already immense Hellenic pride of the young Greeks of the region. There is nothing more important to Katerina than her faith and her heritage, and she cannot wait to spread her love of Hellenism through her work with the NHSA.

West: Athanasios Angouras

Athanasios “Nasos” Angouras was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Athens and Aigio, Greece as a child before moving back to LA with his family. He is currently a third-year student at the University of California, San Diego, where he is double majoring in Classical Studies and Philosophy. His passion for these two disciplines stems from a love for ancient Greek philosophy and history, having been inspired by his heritage. After graduating, Nasos plans to pursue a JD-PhD program and further pursue his love of research and classical philology.

Nasos is the former president of Luna Peak Links, a subsidiary of the non-profit Luna Peak Foundation and a student-led community support organization based in LA. During his tenure, he was responsible for the organization’s Support for Ukraine effort, raising over $15,000 in medical supplies through outreach and the countless memorable connections he made within the South Bay’s Orthodox Christian community. Nasos also enjoys volunteering in the Greek-American community and works at the annual South Bay Greek Festival in Redondo Beach, CA.
Nasos is also an avid musician, having played the clarinet since the age of 9. From 2020–2023, he played professionally as the principal clarinetist for the Asia America Youth Symphony under conductor and jazz composer David Benoit, instructed by clarinetist Darryl Tanikawa. He was awarded the Kay Sakaguchi Scholarship Award for musical ability and leadership among his peers, a cohort of 3-4 other clarinetists. Now, he pursues Byzantine Chant at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach, CA, where he is also the lead isokratis, and holds a certificate of completion of Automela III from Trisagion School.
Joining NHSA in 2026 as Western Regional Director, Nasos is excited to be a part of an association that promotes Hellenism and outreach to Greek-American youths around the nation. His goal in NHSA is to build a healthy network of reciprocal support among his peers while also promoting notions of Hellenism and educating others on Greek culture.

Southeast: Paris Tsambourlianos

Paris Tsambourlianos is a proud second-generation Greek-Canadian who was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her Hellenic roots trace to Nafplio and Kavala on her father’s side, and Tripoli and Kozani on her mother’s side, grounding her upbringing in strong cultural values and traditions.

From a young age, Paris was deeply engaged in Toronto’s vibrant Greek community. In 2023, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she is currently completing her Bachelor of Business Administration at Florida Atlantic University while pursuing a future career in law, with the goal of integrating business strategy into legal practice. While at FAU, Paris recognized the need for a stronger Greek presence on campus and took the initiative to establish the university’s first-ever Hellenic Students Association, serving as its Founder and President. Through this role, she has focused on creating a welcoming, student-led organization that connects Greek students and encourages active involvement on campus and throughout South Florida through volunteer initiatives and networking events. Her academic and leadership experiences reflect a strong commitment to strengthening Greek communities across the diaspora, shaped by her involvement with both American and Canadian Greek organizations.
Paris first became involved with NHSA while supporting the Fall 2024 Fort Lauderdale Convention as part of the local planning committee, where she assisted with outreach and event coordination. Attending her first NHSA convention left a lasting impression and inspired her through the organization’s strong sense of community and collaborative spirit.

Having attended two NHSA conventions, Paris is honored to join the NHSA Executive Board for the first time this year as the Regional Director of the Southeast. She is truly grateful for the trust placed in her and looks forward to working alongside an incredible team united by a shared commitment to advancing the Hellenic community. In her role, Paris is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students across the region, while upholding the organization’s mission and values and helping students grow in confidence and form lasting relationships throughout their university experience.

Digital Media Strategist: Adam Samvakolis

Adam Ioannis Samakovlis is a first-generation Greek American that was born and raised in
Brooklyn, New York. Adam’s Hellenic roots vary to all corners of Greece. On Adam’s
mothers’ side, they root from Ikaria, Santorini, and Evia. On Adam’s Father’s side, they root
from Katerini and Gytheio. Adam is very involved in his Greek community at home, being a
member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and being a member of
the Pandiki Youth in the Ikarian NYC Silogo.
Adam graduated from St. John’s University with a B.S. in business management and will
graduate from St. John’s with an MBA in marketing management in May 2026. He is
pursuing a career in marketing and media. Adam served as philanthropy, social,
brotherhood, and fundraising chairman as a brother of Phi Delta Theta. Adam is also a
certified personal trainer and certified nutrition coach. He has worked numerous jobs for
the New York Mets, Dream Hospitality, UFC Gym, and St. John’s University. Adam was also
a member of the Hellenic society at St. John’s University.
This is Adam’s first year on the board of NHSA, serving as the digital media strategist. He is
very excited to use his skills in marketing and communications to help NHSA reach their
full potential. He is also excited to make new connections, by taking advantage of the
networking opportunities that NHSA has to offer, and making new friends in the Greek
community from all over the country.

Consultant: Georgios Araujo

Georgios Araujo was raised in Manhasset Hills, NY, and comes from a Greek and Portuguese background. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Molecular Neuroscience from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. His passion for science and medicine led him to further his education, and he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Pharmacy at MCPHS University in Boston, MA.
During his time at Adelphi, Georgios founded the Hellenic Society and served as President for two terms. An experience that strengthened his leadership skills and introduced him to NHSA, where he later joined the executive board. His NHSA journey includes serving as Northeast Regional Director, Vice President, two-term President, and two-term Director of Operations. As President, he organized five major post-pandemic conventions, drawing more than 1,000 students and young professionals from across North America.
For 2026, Georgios was appointed as a Consultant, where he will provide strategic guidance and continuity to support the organization’s long-term growth. He continues to mentor emerging leaders and believes that “the best way to inspire young people is to be an example for them,” a principle that shapes his ongoing work within the community.

Consultant: Sophia Angeletakis

Sophia Angeletakis is a second-generation Greek American that moved from Delaware to Brooklyn, NY after graduation. She currently works at CitiBank in corporate global health and wellbeing as a wellness coordinator. Sophia’s maternal side is from Pylos, Messinia and her paternal side is from Athens. She graduated from the University of Delaware in May 2022 with her Bachelors in Health Behavior Science and minors in Social Entrepreneurship and Biology. She also got her Masters in Health Promotion with a concentration in Health Coaching at the University of Delaware. During her undergrad, she was the President of UD’s Orthodox Christian Fellowship for 2 years as well as the outreach chair for the Hellenic Student Association. Sophia used to be a dance member of Akritai, the Pontian Society of Philadelphia but now dances with Kyklos at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in the Upper East Side, NYC. She serves as the Social Media Coordinator and Alumni Coordinator for the National Hellenic Society and is also involved with the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and Delaware Valley where she helps coordinate the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade.
Anyone that knows Sophia will say that her culture is the biggest part of her identity as she is extremely passionate about enriching herself and her community with the morals and values of Hellenism. Sophia joined NHSA in 2022 to further this goal and advocate for her community’s growth through all of the positions she’s held. This is Sophia’s 4th year being on the board of NHSA and is looking forward to advancing the mission of the organization as a Consultant.

Canadian Non-profit Director: Apostolos Zezos

Apostolos Zezos was born in Alexandroupoli, Greece, and raised there until 2013, when he immigrated to Toronto, Canada. His family roots trace back to Alexandroupoli and Kastoria.

Apostolos is currently completing an interdisciplinary Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, pursuing a double major in Global Health and Public Policy through the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. His academic interests lie at the intersection of health policy, law, and international governance, with long-term aspirations to pursue a legal career.
Deeply engaged in Hellenic student leadership, in 2019 Apostolos founded the Hellenic Culture Club at Upper Canada College, where he successfully led efforts to establish March as Greek Heritage Month in 2022. Since his first year at the University of Toronto, he has been actively involved with the Greek Students’ Association (GSA), serving initially as a First-Year Representative and currently as Vice President of Student Life, where he focuses on community-building, cultural programming, and student engagement.
Apostolos has also contributed to Hellenic public diplomacy through his work as a former intern at the Greek Consulate in Toronto (January to April 2023). Since November 2024, he has served for two consecutive years as a Youth Ambassador representing Toronto, Canada, as part of the official Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium. In this role, he works to strengthen transnational ties between the Hellenic Republic and the Greek youth community in Toronto and Canada.

Philanthropy Chair: Jenna Temple

Scholarship Chair: Sofia Papakos

Sofia Papakos has roots in Trikala and Ioannina, Greece. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from DePaul University, where she also completed a Minor in Anthropology. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Economics and Quantitative Analysis at DePaul. Throughout her academic career, Sofia has been actively involved in several Hellenic organizations, including the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI) and the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation (PHSF). She also served as Director of Social Affairs for DePaul’s chapter of the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA), where she helped organize cultural and networking events for students of Greek heritage.
Professionally, Sofia works as a pricing analyst at a logistics brokerage and plans to continue her career in the data analytics field. She is deeply passionate about expanding access to scholarships and academic opportunities for students from diverse financial backgrounds. Drawing from her own experiences, she is especially committed to supporting students of Hellenic descent, advocating for increased representation and support within both academic and professional spaces. Sofia hopes to continue uplifting the Greek community by promoting mentorship, educational access, and professional development for young Hellenes pursuing higher education

Outreach Director: Perry Pappas

Perry Pappas was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Iowa, now most recently living in Northwest Indiana. He has deep roots in Laconia, with his father’s family from Sparta and his mother’s from the Mani peninsula. Raised in a family grounded in faith, heritage, and tradition, he has remained actively involved in the Greek American community and his church community throughout the Chicago Metropolis. His few visits to Greece during college strengthened his passion for Hellenism and his commitment to preserving Greek culture and professionalism among younger generations.
Perry graduated from Purdue University in May of 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Retail Management and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. During his time at Purdue, he served in his Hellenic Student Association as Secretary and Social Media Manager, which has helped to grow student engagement, organize cultural events, and promote Greek heritage on campus. He also served as Co-President of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, to foster Pan-Orthodox collaboration across campus communities.
Professionally, Perry has recently started working in Chicago as a Medical Device Sales Representative specializing in orthopedics and spine, collaborating closely with surgeons and operating room teams. His career reflects his strengths in relationship building, communication, and leadership.
Active in the Chicagoland Greek community, Perry has served on the YAL Chicago Board and has returned as a Programming Committee member. Outside of his leadership and professional roles, he stays connected to his heritage through traditional laika music, Greek dance, and continued language study.
Perry joined NHSA to support Greek unity and, as Outreach Director, is focused on strengthening ties and fostering positive relations among Greek American students and young professionals. He is committed to building meaningful connections rooted in philotimo and shared tradition, empowering the Hellenic community for generations to come.

Greece Representative: Ourania Efraimoglou

Ourania Efraimoglou was born and raised in Athens, Greece, with family roots in Crete, Arcadia, and Asia Minor. In 2021, she moved to the United States to pursue her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Mathematics.
During her time at UCLA, Ourania recognized the absence of a unified Greek student presence in Los Angeles and took the initiative to address it. She founded the Hellenic Students’ Community at UCLA and served as its president for three years, building the organization from the ground up. Under her leadership, the community successfully united Greek and Cypriot students through cultural, academic, and social initiatives that fostered lasting engagement and collaboration. Her efforts quickly expanded beyond UCLA, bringing together students from USC, LMU, Caltech, and SCI-Arc to form a broader inter-university Hellenic network across Los Angeles. For her commitment to Hellenic causes and community empowerment, she was awarded the Vlahakis-Hanks Undergraduate Scholarship.
Ourania has been actively involved with NHSA for several years, after attending her first conference in Boston in 2023. She previously served as Regional Director for the West Coast, where she worked to strengthen student organizations, develop regional programming, and connect Hellenic students in the West with the national diaspora. Drawing on her background in Greece and her sustained leadership within the Hellenic diaspora, she has now assumed the role of Greece Representative, focused on cultivating and maintaining partnerships with institutions and organizations in Greece. In this capacity, her vision is to position NHSA as a central bridge between Greece and its North American diaspora, building frameworks that connect students and young professionals with new opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and mentorship.
Professionally, Ourania is engaged in the nonprofit and cultural sector. She has consulted with mission-driven organizations, such as Waymakers, to support long-term sustainability and the development of new social impact initiatives. Additionally, Ourania has played a key role in the establishment of the U.S. subsidiary of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, dedicated to preserving and promoting Hellenic culture, history, and innovation. Her work sits at the intersection of cultural diplomacy, community development, and strategic program building.

International Relations: Maria Theohari

Maria Theoharis is the International Relations Director for the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA), where she works to expand NHSA’s global community and create meaningful academic, cultural, and professional opportunities for Hellenic students and young professionals across borders. Born and raised in Mykonos and educated in Athens before pursuing university studies in the United States, her leadership is grounded in lived experience across Greece and the diaspora.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in History of Law and Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, with a minor in French. Her international education and multilingual background allow her to navigate legal, political, and cultural systems across borders, skills central to advancing NHSA’s international engagement and partnerships
During her undergraduate studies, Maria gained over two years of practical experience in transnational legal environments in both Europe and the United States, including work in institutional compliance and legal research at the University of Paris-Saclay and service at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Maria is also an award-winning researcher whose work includes Wrecked by Corruption: The 2023 Tempi Train Crash and Greece’s Institutional Failures, a project examining systemic failures and accountability gaps that contributed to one of Greece’s deadliest modern tragedies. Her research reflects a strong personal connection to the Hellenic community and a commitment to using research and advocacy to advance transparency, justice, and institutional reform in Greece.
At the core of her work is the belief that the Greek diaspora, especially young professionals, has both the responsibility and the capacity to engage critically with Greece’s future. In her role at the NHSA, Maria is dedicated to building international partnerships, creating opportunities for Greek students and young professionals, and shaping a globally connected Hellenic community equipped to lead across borders.