Great Neck, NY — The Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) of the Pancyprian Association of America honored Eftihia Pylarinou Piper as its 2026 Woman of the Year during its Annual Gala held March 8 at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck, New York. The event brought together leaders from the Greek and Cypriot American communities, business executives, and representatives from numerous organizations to celebrate her decades of professional achievement and community leadership. The Master of Ceremonies was Nicole Petallides, Lead Anchor of Schwab Network.

Effie Pylarinou Piper currently serves as President of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and Senior Vice President of the Red Apple Group. The recognition highlighted her longstanding contributions to international business, philanthropy, and efforts to support and mentor women across professional fields.

Among those attending the gala were Consul General of Cyprus Kyriakos Pogiatzis and Consul General of Greece Ifigenia Kanara, along with Paulette Poulos, Executive Director of Leadership 100; Phil Christopher, President of the Pancyprian Association of America; and Kyriakos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot Societies. Representatives from organizations including the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic Medical Society of New York, the Hellenic American Bankers Association, the Hellenic Lawyers Association, AHEPA, the Cyprus American Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic Congress, Flagstar Bank, and Alma Bank were also present.

The gala was organized by the leadership of the Pancyprian WIN Division under President Savvy Asprou and its board members.

In her acceptance remarks, Effie Pylarinou Piper reflected on her journey from Athens to New York. After arriving in the United States on a scholarship from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, she worked full time while attending Queens College and Adelphi University at night, eventually building a successful career in banking and finance.

She later became the first woman appointed by the Greek government to lead a bank in Greece, heading ETBA Bank during a critical period of economic restructuring. In the United States, she continued her work in finance, founding her own investment and asset management firm and remaining active in international business and philanthropy.

Addressing the audience, she noted that the honor reflected the broader progress women have made over the past several decades while emphasizing that more work remains to close leadership and wage gaps.

“The road to your dreams is never straight,” she said. “Each turn teaches you something and makes you stronger. Continue moving forward, and the road will lead you to your destination.”

The evening concluded with dinner and dancing as guests celebrated her accomplishments and ongoing commitment to community leadership.

Source: Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce

A cooperation protocol for linking the Greek Academic Community with the Greek diaspora and supporting the internationalization of Greek higher education was signed by Deputy Foreign Minister George Kotsiras and the president of "Study in Greece" Christos Michalakelis at the Ministry on Holy Tuesday.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis began Thursday's cabinet meeting with a reference to the importance of the reforms already set in motion."These actively reply to those who doubt either our dedication to these or the speed at which the government generates its work," he said.

Among others, he announced the introduction of a postal vote for anyone who wishes to use it, within and outside Greece, saying this was another important step forward following the changes that allowed Greeks abroad to participate in elections from their place of residence. Mitsotakis described this as a "historic breakthrough" and a bold reform, which will serve as a strong response to voter abstention and inertia.

He also spoke of the very important changes in justice, currently undergoing a period of public consultation, "the spearhead of which are the acceleration of decisions by establishing one and only postponement of trials and changing the regime as regards suspensions, so that sentences are finally served."

He also referred to the new status for borrowers which is being discussed and will put to a vote by Monday, as well as talking of the government's efforts to raise tax consciousness, while making a commitment to direct any additional revenues from reducing tax evasion to education and health and for the support of the most vulnerable.