Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou Brings Entrepreneurial Expertise to THI Board
In a significant move for The Hellenic Initiative (THI), Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the renowned entrepreneur behind the “easy” brand, has joined the organization’s board of directors. The announcement, made last Friday, underscores THI’s commitment to fostering economic recovery in Greece through philanthropy and strategic programs.
THI, a global non-profit established in 2012, has been instrumental in mobilizing the Greek diaspora and Philhellenes worldwide. With over $21 million invested in Greece to date, THI stands as the largest organization of its kind. Its focus remains on addressing the fallout of economic crises, bolstering entrepreneurship, and creating job opportunities within the country.
Sir Stelios, knighted in 2006 for his services to entrepreneurship, is no stranger to philanthropic endeavors. As the Founder and President of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, he has been actively supporting various causes in Greece and Cyprus. In 2017, he joined The Giving Pledge initiative, promising to donate half of his wealth to continue his philanthropic work indefinitely.
Most of the profits from Sir Stelios’s “easy” family of companies are funneled into his foundation, which is registered in the UK. Among his notable contributions is the Food from the Heart program, which provides free snacks to approximately 100,000 beneficiaries each month in Greece.
The Foundation recently acquired and restored a historic building in Athens’s Plaka district. This venue now serves as a conference hall and is offered at no cost to Greek philanthropic organizations for their events.
Furthermore, Sir Stelios has committed to leading THI’s Monaco chapter and will host a charity event on June 25, 2024, to support the THI Summer Youth Academy in Athens.
George P. Stamas, Chairman of THI’s Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm about Sir Stelios’s board membership, citing the importance of dynamic entrepreneurs to THI’s mission. Andrew N. Liveris, Head of the Board of Directors of THI, also remarked on the significant benefits that Sir Stelios’s experience will bring to THI’s dual focus on economic development and philanthropic support.
