President and Chief Executive Officer of Calamos Investments John Koudounis was honored with the Philotimo Award at the Hellenic Hearts gala last weekend.
Hellenic Hearts is a non-profit organization created to establish a need-based safety net for Hellenes in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The Gala held at Ellis Preserve in Newtown Square, PA, featured the presentation of the prestigious Philotimo Award to John S. Koudounis an esteemed Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in The Order of St. Andrew.
Koudounis honored by Hellenic Hearts for dedication to philanthropy
Koudounis is celebrated for his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to philanthropy, extending beyond his professional roles to active involvement in community and religious organizations.
Throughout his illustrious career, Koudounis has exemplified the values of Philotimo through his contributions to Leadership 100, The Metropolis of Chicago Foundation, and numerous other charitable endeavors.
In 2020 he led a coalition of Chicago’s business leaders to raise more than $1 million in a humanitarian campaign for COVID-19 relief and recovery.
“Everyone has rallied in support of our beloved city to assist our residents who are struggling in the COVID-19 crisis. It is truly a campaign for Chicago, by Chicago,” Koudounis said at the time.
The gala was not merely an event but an embodiment of philanthropy. It encouraged attendees to continue their contributions towards positively impacting the world.
The event supported incredible causes like The Filodoxia Scholar Program, Emergency Aid, Hellenic College Holy Cross, the National Hellenic Society, and the Oxi Day Foundation.
Hellenic Hearts helps Hellenic-American Youth
Hellenic Hearts is focusing on youth through its Educational Guidance Program. With mentoring, networking, admissions counseling, and professional programs, Hellenic Hearts’ Educational Guidance Program (EGP) provides education-to-career guidance to Hellenic-American Youth.
This program aims to promote higher education and increase participants’ professional success.
In 2023 philanthropist Drake Behrakis, Chairman of the National Hellenic Society (NHS), was honored with the Philotimo Award.
Beneficiaries ranged from educational initiatives like the Filodoxia Scholar Program and the esteemed Hellenic College Holy Cross to cultural preservation organizations like the National Hellenic Society and the Oxi Day Foundation.
In 2022, the first Philotomo Award was presented to Mike Manatos, President of Manatos & Manatos in Washington, D.C. John Aivazoglou, President, and also a member of Leadership 100, said at the time: “Mike is a most worthy recipient. He cares about people, and those who know him know how special he is. He has done so much nationally in the Greek and Greek American community.”
In the following video, Aivazoglou looks back at the organization’s history and its contribution for Hellenes in the Greater Philadelphia area.