AHI and AHIF Host Annual Board Retreat in Washington, D.C.
AHI President Nick Larigakis presented a plaque to Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika at her residence in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) convened their 2025 Annual Board Retreat in Washington, D.C., November 18 to 20, 2025, bringing together board leadership, policy experts, and senior diplomatic officials for three days of high-level briefings, planning sessions, and strategic engagement.
“Our annual board retreat reaffirms AHI’s dedication to advancing the rule of law in our policy priorities and to strengthening the Institute’s capacity to serve the community,” AHI President and CEO Nick Larigakis said. “We are grateful to the officials and experts who met with us, and we will continue working to strengthen these vital relationships as we strive to fulfill our mission.”
The retreat provided board members an opportunity to engage directly with U.S. policymakers, the heads of Greek and Cypriot diplomatic corps in the U.S., and national security experts, reinforcing AHI’s mission to strengthen U.S. relations with Greece, Cyprus, and ties within the diaspora.
Cypriot Ambassador Evangelos Savva (center) with the AHI leadership: from the right, Peter Karounos, James H. Lagos, Esq., Eleni A. Rossides, Nicholas E. Chimicles, Esq., and Leon Andris; and from the left, Maria Wills, Will Martin, Aleco Haralambides, Esq., Costa Sideridis, and Nick Larigakis, following their meeting at the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Washington, D.C.
Events opened Tuesday afternoon at Hellenic House with an AHIF Board of Directors meeting, led by AHIF Chairman Leon Andris.
In the evening, board members gathered for a welcome dinner at Balos Estiatorio, featuring remarks by Katerina Sokou, executive director, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce USA. Sokou briefed attendees on U.S.–Greece commercial ties and initiatives and shared about the Chamber’s newly established office in Washington.
Nick Larigakis and AHI–AHIF leadership and staff attending a reception at the residence of the Greek Ambassador in Washington, D.C.
Strategic Briefings and Diplomatic Engagement
Day 2 featured a full day of high-level briefings across Washington with:
Dr. Andrew Novo, associate professor of Strategic Studies, National Defense University
Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S. Evangelos Savva at the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus
Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the U.S. Ekaterini Nassika at the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic
Briefing with Spiro M. Ballas, Senior Advisor for National Security Affairs to the Vice President
The delegation also visited the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for a White House Complex briefing with Spiro M. Ballas, senior advisor for National Security Affairs in the Office of the Vice President.
Following lunch at the Hellenic House, additional briefings held there included:
Daniel J. Lawton, deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Lena Argiri, Washington correspondent, ERT TV
In the evening, Ambassador Nassika hosted the delegation at the Ambassador’s Residence, where AHI board members recognized for her steadfast service and support of the Greek diaspora in the United States. As noted in a statement shared by the Embassy on its Facebook account, “For more than 150 years, the Greek American community has served as a vital link between the peoples of Greece and the United States, and it will continue to play an important role in further strengthening bilateral relations in the years to come.”
The retreat concluded Thursday with the annual AHI Board of Directors meeting at the Capital Hilton Hotel, chaired by AHI Chairman James H. Lagos, Esq. The session focused on organizational priorities, legislative strategy, and planning for 2026 initiatives.
American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a respected and independent nonprofit, public policy and advocacy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community
