NICK LARIGAKIS is president & chief executive officer of the American Hellenic Institute. He held numerous positions at AHI since joining the organization in 1987. In 2019, the Greek Minister of National Defense, awarded Larigakis the Medal of Honour and Valour for his “distinguished services to the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Nation… and for exceptional service and support in promoting the United States-Greece relationship. “ He received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Alpha Omega Council (2024), the St. Katherine Community Service Award in Falls Church, VA (2015), the Inaugural AHEPA Outstanding Public Advocacy Award (2012), the Medal of Hellenic Parliament (2011), the Hellenic News of America Award (2007), and the Society of the Argonauts Award (2008). In 2019, he was the Grand Marshal of the Baltimore Greek Independence Day Parade and served as a volunteer at the 2004 Olympic Games. He is a member of AHEPA Chapter 438 and has served on the Parish Council of St. Katherine Church in Falls Church, VA, in many capacities including Vice-President in 2015 and 2017. In 2003, Larigakis was invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation and is on the U.S. Board of Trustees of the American Community Schools of Athens. Larigakis received his B.A. in Political Science from the College of New Jersey and did post graduate work in International Affairs at the American University in Washington, DC.