Three ACG Alumnae in Fortune’s Top 5 Women in Charity & 2 ACG Alumnae in Fortune’s Top 20 Women in Business

FortuneGreece has named three outstanding ACG Alumnae in its Top Five Women in Charity – in recognition of women whose “work gives hope to a multitude of people,” and two distinguished alumnae in its Top 20 Women in Business.

The list is alphabetical and features:

ACG Alumnae in the Top 5 Women in Charity:

Ms Vana Lavidas (DEREE ’79), who earned her Bachelor’s in Economics from DEREE, is a Member of ACG’s Board of Trustees, and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors at MDA Hellas, an association for the care of people with neuromuscular disorders, which she founded in 2000. In recent years she has devoted herself to philanthropy and social work. Ms Lavidas also won the Women in Philanthropy Award at the inaugural ACG Alumnae Awards (2011) dedicated to honoring women of Vision, Leadership and Impact.

Ms Alexandra Martinou (PIERCE ’72) is vice-president of the charity “Together for the Child – Mazi Gia to Paidi” and is well known for her philanthropic work, especially for children. She is also vice president of the centre for people with disabilities H Hara (The Joy).

Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis(DEREE ’02), who holds a History of Art Bachelor’s degree from DEREE, is Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO and renowned for her extensive charitable work and contribution to society. The DEREE alumna who founded and presides over the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer ELPIDA – has received a number of awards for her work.

This past September, ACG President Dr. David G. Horner presented the prestigious Maria West Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the College’s founder, to Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – for her extensive charitable work and contribution to society. She also received a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from DEREE in 2010.

ACG Alumnae in the Top 20 Women in Business, in alphabetical order as well:

Hiro Athanassiou, PIERCE ’77 & DEREE ’81, President and Managing Director at Elais Unilever is the first woman to take such a leading position in the company in Greece. She graduated from PIERCE and gained her BA (Hons) from DEREE in Marketing & Management in 1981.

Nelly Katsou, PIERCE ’83 is Vice President of the Board of Directors and Managing Director at Pharmathen SA, a private family-run company founded in 1969, which has become a pharmaceutical giant with exports around the world. Ms Katsou graduated from PIERCE in 1983, and is responsible for steering the family company in a new direction, after taking the helm, alongside her brother, Vassilios Katsos, another PIERCE graduate (’91) in 1993.

FortuneGreece chose the 20 top women in business based on a slew of criteria, including the achievements of these women, the companies they run or represent, and their social and corporate influence.

Congratulations and keep up the great work!

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