AHI Foundation Names New President

The AHI Foundation, or the American Hellenic Initiative Foundation, has announced that Leon Andris will now head up the foundation as its new president.

Andris, a member of AHIF since 1974, began his tenure on New Year’s Day. He succeeds Constantine (Kostas) Apostolos Galanis, who served as president since 2017.

The first of its kind, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit think tank dedicated to Greek and Cypriot issues, as well as deepening bonds between Greece and the US.

The American Hellenic Institute Foundation is a non-profit educational and research organization focused on the Greek-American community. The AHIF hosts conferences and arranges academic trips to Greece and Cyprus.

AHI Foundation spreads “Hellenic ideals”

In a statement, Andris expressed his commitment to AHIF’s mission. As a member of the foundation from the outset, he has tracked the organization’s successes over the years.

Through his connection with AHIF, Andris has “supported this uniquely qualified resource of advocacy for the Rule of Law and the promotion of Hellenic ideals as they mirror our own as American citizens,” he stated.

Andris is dedicated to spreading Greek history and the “spirit of Hellenism” by supporting “the role the Foundation plays in advancing education through its many programs, highlighted by the annual student trip to Greece and Cyprus,” he wrote.

Born and raised in Washington D.C., Andris’ Greek roots stem from his ancestral village of Tsintzina in the Parnon Mountains near Sparta, where he and his wife Robyn still visit regularly.

Andris specialized in creative affordable housing for families as an electrical engineer, and has served in important roles in his local Greek community.

Andris has served Greek American community for decades

Currently, he serves as Vice-Chair of the New Jersey Metropolis Council, and Andris was also the former Vice-Chair of the Technology Committee of the Archdiocesan Council.

Named the President of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda five times in the past, Andris is also an Archon.

After decades of involvement with AHI, Andris first sat on the Foundation’s board in 2014, where he has served until he was named President of the foundation.

AHI President Nick Larigakis praised the incoming president of the AHI Foundation, stating:

“We are elated Leon Andris has agreed to serve as president of the AHI Foundation. He brings decades of experience and passion to the Foundation. Leon will be a significant asset to the Foundation and will help it to advance its mission to the benefit of the Greek American community.”