The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and its President, Mr. Nick Larigakis, recently delivered the Hellenic Heritage Public Service Award to Irene Daifas, Deputy Mayor of Piraeus and CEO of Stavros Daifas Maritime Corporation SA, for her professional career as well as her contribution to Culture.
AHI also honored Mr. Simeon Tsomokos, Founder and President of the Delphi Economic Forum, for supporting, promoting and strengthening United States-Greece relations.
Daughter of the late Helen and Stavros Daifas, Irene was born in Athens and studied Psychology and Sociology in Greece and Business Administration in Great Britain. In 2014 she took over the family's shipping company, Stavros Daifas Maritime Corporation SA where as CEO and Managing Director. Her special relationship with Piraeus starts with her affection for the city itself. In 2014 she was elected Authorized Municipal Counsilor of Culture of the Municipality of Piraeus and she was reelected again in 2019. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of (OPAN) Organisation for the Culture and Sports for young people of the Municipality of Piraeus). In 2016 Irene was the first woman ever elected as president of the Piraeus Marine Club and is currently serving her second three-year term (the maximum allowable according to the Club's articles of association). Irene strongly believes in the potential that education affords to young people. To that end, she established two scholarships in memory of her late father, through the Union of Greek Shipowners for postgraduate studies in Shipping and through HELMEPA for postgraduate studies in Naval Architecture - Marine Engineering and Technology, and Environmental Science and Sustainability.
Deputy Minister Mr. Fragogiannis, who represented the government in his greeting said that the Greek government is committed to its relationship with USA an invaluable transatlantic partner.
Mr. Larigakis referred to the recent events of the Ukraine war and the earthquakes in Turkey where Greece showed its solidarity.
Immediately after, he described the exceptional personality of the honored persons of Irene Daifa and Simeon Tsomokos.
He expressed his pride in the Greece-US cooperation as a factor of stability and commercial partner in many activities including shipping.
We will continue to strive for the resolution of the national issues of our country and Cyprus based on international law.
Iriene Daifas expressed her appreciation for being among dear friends and stated that she is dedicated to strengthening Greek-American relations.
The members of AHI remarked that the two personalities are an example to follow for the future and serve the aspirations of the two countries of Greece and America.
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