AHI Honors Olga Bornozi, John D. Saracakis at 21st Annual Athens Awards Dinner; U.S. Ambassador Guilfoyle Delivers Remarks
No. 39
ATHENS, GREECE — The American Hellenic Institute held its 21st Annual Athens Hellenic Heritage Achievement and Public Service Awards Dinner on May 7, 2026, at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, bringing together government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the Greek American and philhellene communities to celebrate leadership that strengthens ties between the United States and Greece.
This year’s honorees were:
Olga Bornozi, Managing Director of Capital Link Inc., who received the AHI Hellenic Heritage Public Service Award for her work elevating Greece’s investment profile and strengthening U.S.-Greece economic ties through engagement with institutional investors.
John D. Saracakis, Executive Chairman of Saracakis Group of Companies and President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, who received the AHI Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award for his distinguished business leadership and commitment to fostering deeper economic and institutional ties between the United States and Greece.
AHI Athens Dinner honoree Olga Bornozi
Bornozi earned recognition for promoting Greece as an international investment destination and helping strengthen transatlantic economic engagement through institutional investor outreach and strategic business forums.
“Tonight I'm here to thank AHI for this award presented to me for our activity with Capital Link, trying to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Greece…There were many times that Greece was in a very difficult position, but even at these difficult times for Greece, we remain focused on our work to give the proper message for Greece, why people have to trust our country, have to come to Greece…So, I accept this distinction with emotion, joy, but also with a great sense of responsibility to continue, together with my brother and our team, to build bridges and to contribute to a more interconnected world," said Bornozi.
AHI Athens Dinner honoree John D. Saracakis
Saracakis earned recognition for his distinguished record in business, industry, and commerce, as well as his longstanding commitment to advancing stronger economic and institutional relations between Greece and the United States.
In his remarks, Saracakis said: “We live in a time of profound change. The challenge before us is not simply to keep pace with developments, but to help shape them—to innovate, to collaborate, and to create value that extends beyond the boundaries of business and reaches society at large. In this context, my new role as President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce represents both a great honor and a meaningful responsibility. I firmly believe that building on the strong ties between Greece and the United States can unlock even more opportunities for entrepreneurship—the driver of growth and prosperity.”
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle delivered remarks that underscored the importance of the U.S.-Greece strategic partnership and the enduring relationship between the peoples of the two nations.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle speaking at the 21st Annual AHI Athens Awards Dinner
“John and Olga, congratulations on your great achievements and for all your contributions to the United States-Greece relationship. I am profoundly grateful to my dear friend of over 20 years, President Donald J. Trump, for entrusting me with the greatest honor of my lifetime, representing the United States, as ambassador to the Hellenic Republic. And as I work together to strengthen this relationship every day, I see firsthand how partners like the American Hellenic Institute play a truly critical role. For 52 years, the American Hellenic Institute has championed the United States-Greece relationship, advancing military cooperation, energy security, reciprocal trade, and a NATO alliance built on shared values and shared commitments. We do not have to look far to see the shared commitments in action. Greece has continued to lead in NATO contributions, and its commitment to spend 5% of GDP on defense is nothing short of historic,” Ambassador Guilfoyle said.
Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Loverdos, who officially represented the Greek government, stated:
“Greece is a modern, powerful, and proud country that is thriving here in South-Eastern Europe. And this moves me a lot. For this, I would like to thank AHI for your long-standing democratic values, the rule of law, and [advocating] for the regional stability that has made a meaningful contribution to the regional partnership between Greece and the United States. Your continued engagement and advocacy underscoring the vital role of diaspora leadership, the strength of Hellenic-American cooperation, and the enduring importance of transatlantic unity in addressing the challenges of our time.”
He also highlighted AHI’s longstanding efforts to bring the Greek American community and Greece closer together, including the Institute’s annual student foreign policy trip to Greece and Cyprus.
Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis (ret.) H.N., president of the AHI-Athens Chapter; AHI Chairman James Lagos; and AHI President Nick Larigakis also delivered remarks.
AHI President Nick Larigakis
In his remarks, Larigakis emphasized the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and Greece and highlighted the important role AHI plays in advancing the partnership.
“Tonight, we continue that tradition by honoring two eminent business leaders who, by thought, deed and action, have repeatedly distinguished themselves professionally and by illustrious civic service and accomplishments, exemplifying the highest ideals of Hellenism. Olga Bornozi is the visionary Managing Director of Capital Link, a globally respected leader in investor relations and strategic communications. For decades, she has been a driving force advancing Greece’s international standing, forging powerful Greece–U.S. economic ties, and championing maritime and investment excellence through lasting global partnerships. A third-generation Greek entrepreneur, John Saracakis’ values-driven leadership has transformed a legacy company into a diversified regional group across multiple business centers. He is a steadfast champion of transatlantic engagement, having strengthened U.S.–Greece economic ties through sustained civic and business leadership,” Larigakis said as part of his remarks.
He also emphasized that almost 52 years ago, Gene Rossides founded AHI to advocate for U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus on the basis of the Rule of Law, thereby providing the vehicle for the Greek American community to challenge government policy on issues regarding the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
“The Rule of Law has to be the modern-day Arsenal for Democracy in advancing U.S. policy throughout the world. Otherwise, small countries like Greece and Cyprus do not stand a chance in an ever dangerously changing world that seems to favor only might.”
Kyriazi highlighted that the AHI Athens Chapter, as part of the American Hellenic Institute, serves as a consequence of this mission, saying, “We work to strengthen Greek-American relations on a political, economic, and cultural level, promoting dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.”
Notable attendees included the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) Chairman Leon Andris, AHIF Board Secretary Maria Wills, AHI Board Secretary Kostas Alexakis, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Archon National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis and a delegation of Archons, Lou Katsos, Chairman of the Parade Committee for the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York and Christos Marafatsos.
Fanis Papathanasiou, anchor and senior diplomatic correspondent at ERT-TV, served as master of ceremonies.
AHI also thanks the sponsors of the 21st Annual Athens Awards Dinner.
Grand Benefactors
Nike & James H. Lagos, Springfield, Ohio
Capital Maritime & Trading Corp.
PPC (Public Power Corporation)
Benefactors
Maria & Isidoros Garifalakis and Family, Vancouver, Washington
Capital Link
CrediaBank
Navios Maritime Partners, L.P.
Omega Industries
President’s Circle
G.C. Economou & Associates, Athens
James Pedas, Washington, D.C.
Aeroservices
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Athens
Chairman’s Circle
EFA Group
Kapotas, SA
Nickelium
Sponsors
Hotel Grande Bretagne
Enterprise Greece Invest & Trade
MacArthur
TEN - Tsakos Energy Navigation, LTD.
Supporters
Robyn & Leon Andris, Washington, D.C.
Georgia & Demitrios Halakos, Greenville, Delaware
K. Arvanitis, S.A.
Kentriki | Savillis International Associate
AHI extends its sincere appreciation to the distinguished government, military, religious, academic, and community leaders who attended the 21st Annual AHI Athens Awards Dinner.
Officials and dignitaries in attendance included:
Government & Political Officials
Mr. Ioannis Loverdos – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle – U.S. Ambassador to Greece
Mr. Athanasios Bouras – Deputy Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament
Mr. Nikos Panagiotopoulos – Member of the Hellenic Parliament
Mr. Evangelos Apostolakis – Member of the Hellenic Parliament
Regional & Local Authorities
Mr. Fanis Spanos – Governor of the Region of Central Greece
Mr. Stamatis Perissis – Mayor of Skopelos
Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis – Civil Governor of Mount Athos
Military & Armed Forces Leadership
General Dimitrios Choupis – Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff
Vice Admiral Christos Sasiakos H.N. – Commander-in-Chief of the Hellenic Fleet
Lt. General Stavros Papastathopoulos – Hellenic Army Inspector General
Major General Vasileios Lampropoulos – Chief of the Hellenic Army Academy
Major General K. Savvas Tzovaras – Commander of the Hellenic Air Force Support Command
Clergy & Religious Leaders
Rev. Father Alex Karloutos
Father Thomas Synodinos – Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
Academia, Institutions & Community Leaders
Mr. Alexis Phylactopoulos – Executive Chairman of the Board of Trustees at College Year in Athens (CYA/DIKEMES)
Professor Dr. Panagiotis Behrakis
Dr. Anthony Limberakis Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Leonidas Tzonis – President of the Hellenic American Union, Athens, Greece
I would also like to extend a special thank you to AHI-Athens Chapter President Retired Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazi for his tremendous help in organizing the dinner and contributing to its success, and also to our Athens Chapter Secretary, Sylvia Gavalla, for her assistance,” Larigakis said.
Below you can see the ERT coverage of the 21st Annual AHI Athens Awards Dinner👇
