International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, is a global celebration of the achievements and contributions of women. As part of its ongoing commitment to recognising outstanding Greek and Cypriot Australian women, The Greek Herald proudly launched ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards in 2024.
Now in its second year, the 2025 awards were expanded to include two categories:
- ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Award – honouring women aged 25 and over who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in their fields.
- ‘The Woman to Watch’ Award – celebrating young women under 25 who are emerging as leaders and making a difference in their communities.
This year, The Greek Herald received an overwhelming number of nominations, showcasing the breadth and depth of talent within the Greek and Cypriot Australian communities.
We would like to thank our readers for actively taking part in our IWD campaign and nominating diverse women from Australia’s Hellenic community – whether that was a mentor, a teacher, a volunteer or a woman in the field of business, education, science, arts and culture, sports, philanthropy, or any other area.
Selection panel praises outstanding nominees
This year’s nominations were carefully reviewed by an independent selection panel who selected 15 finalists across both award categories. This year’s panel consisted of:
- Maria Vamvakinou MP, Federal Member for Calwell
- Andrea Michaels MP, SA Minister for Small and Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and the Arts
- Violet Roumeliotis AM, CEO of Settlement Services International
Ms Michaels acknowledged the difficulty of the selection process, stating: “All of the nominees are extraordinary women who are improving the lives of others and they should be very proud of their achievements.”
She added that while the process was “very tough,” the panel ultimately had to narrow it down and select a winner.
Ms Roumeliotis emphasised the diversity of this year’s nominees, highlighting their wide geographical representation and varied passions across professions, the arts, and community service.
“The diversity of women of all ages from all fields and walks of life doing remarkable things in their communities, in their professions, in the arts and for the benefit of greater Australia was very impressive,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
She also noted that “surprisingly, the selection process with the judging panel was very efficient. We were aligned on most of the applications in both categories, so it was very easy to pick our finalists, and it didn’t take long to agree on the winners.”
Ms Vamvakinou praised the high calibre of the nominees and expressed her enthusiasm for the addition of the ‘Woman to Watch’ Award.
“The ‘Woman to Watch’ award is a smart and exciting addition. It broadens the scope of the awards and will give opportunity for recognition and encouragement to a wider range of women in the Greek community,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
She also reflected on the significance of the awards within the community, saying: “As always, it’s a tough job having to choose from such an impressive field.”
‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Award finalists
- Christina Iskandar, Founder of Diva Charity Incorporated, 60, New South Wales
Christina founded Diva Inc in 2019 with a vision of putting food on the table for the disadvantaged and people in need in the local community. Diva also provides blankets and warm clothing through the monthly Blessing Table community event. Christina has no government funding or support and is assisted by 8 volunteers. Christina’s vision is that no-one should suffer from food insecurity. Christina has strong collaborations with Aldi, Kelloggs and Woolworths who divert food saved from landfill to Diva where is it turned into delicious home-cooked meals and distributed directly to the community who need it. Over 200 meals are cooked by Christina and volunteers every month.
Christina’s charity has a huge impact on the local community. Over 200 people attend the monthly Blessing Table where they are able to join others in a community BBQ. This reduces social isolation and creates new friendships, leading to an increase in mental health and wellbeing.
Christina’s dedication, passion and enthusiasm has a positive effect on all community. She is one of those rare people who embraces both love of God and love of people. She endeavours to restore dignity and pride to the people in our community doing it tough.
- Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM, Founder, Author and Activist, 70, Victoria
Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM is a Greek-Australian educator, human resources professional, and community leader dedicated to empowering women. Born in Epirus, Greece, she migrated to Australia in 1972 and built a career in education and human resources.
In 2001, she founded the Food for Thought Network (FFTN), a non-profit organisation aimed at connecting, mentoring, and supporting women in areas such as work, family, health, and culture. Under her leadership, FFTN has hosted numerous forums promoting women’s empowerment.
Her contributions have earned her recognition, including a place on the Victorian Honour Roll for Women, an award from the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and being named ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in the 2022 Manningham Civic Awards.
Expanding her mission globally, Varvara launched the Global Women and Hellenism Conference in Ioannina, Greece, in September 2024. The event brought together leading women from various fields to discuss Greek heritage, identity, and sustainability.
Through her initiatives, Varvara continues to foster unity and support for women of Hellenic descent worldwide, ensuring that Greek heritage remains a source of empowerment and pride for future generations.
- Fay Savvides Calderone, Employment Law Partner at Hall&Wilcox and Author, 46, New South Wales
After nearly 25 years of practice as an employment lawyer, Fay (aka Fotini) is a force to be reckoned with. As a strategic advisor to employers, she has shaped policies that foster safe, healthy, respectful and inclusive workplaces.
Recognised for her transformative approach that champions inclusivity and dignity are at the core of workplace cultures.
As partner and Chair of the National Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing Council at a major law firm, Fay’s influence extends as a mentor to young lawyers in her firm.
She served as a Director of Full Stop – a national service supporting women impacted by domestic and sexual violence and continues to provide pro bono advice to its Board and leaders. She’s a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and a trusted voice in the media.
Fay’s advocacy for diversity, equity & inclusion is driven by a personal commitment to equity in the workplace, grounded in both professional insight and profound personal experience as a daughter of Greek Cypriot refugees who grew up in Western Sydney. She shares this in her book Broken to Safe with practical solutions to create communities where humans thrive.
- Chloe Katopodis, Designer and Business Owner, 26, South Australia
Chloe has dedicated many years of her life in the exploration of Greek culture. She is using her talent and skill of creativity in graphic design to express Greek culture within her work such as her designs for the Odyssey Festival. Furthermore, her business the Salty Greek is centred around the Greek culture and food, as well as the celebration of local Greek businesses. Chloe is the creative director and has a hands on analogue approach inspired by her heritage in her expression. Last year, she was one of the founding members of Neolea, a Greek youth organisation centred around uplifting and connecting the Greek youth to each other and our culture. She has gone above and beyond with the visual communication and is spreading stories and knowledge through the @neolea.sa instagram account and through the events which she provides the attendees with keepsakes full of knowledge. The past year she has engaged hundreds of Greek youth in our culture and has uplifted many local Greek businesses. She uses her power and skill for good.
- Dr Elena Limnios, Engineer / Business Owner / Board Director, 43, Western Australia
Dr. Elena Limnios is a distinguished academic, business leader, and community advocate whose contributions span multiple sectors. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, she migrated to Australia at 23, where she built an outstanding career marked by resilience and dedication.
Her academic achievements are exceptional, holding a PhD in Organisational Resilience from The University of Western Australia, an MBA, and a Master’s in Engineering, graduating with the highest recorded grade of 9.60/10 from Aristotle University. Her research on socio-economic sustainability in cooperatives and mutuals has positioned her as a global authority, contributing to books, industry papers, and executive training programs.
Beyond academia, Elena leads HACCI Western Australia, where she has strengthened ties between Australian and Greek business communities. She also champions environmental sustainability as Chair of Perth NRM, advocating for coastal conservation and regenerative agriculture.
In business, her leadership at Limnios Property Group has doubled its impact while fostering gender diversity. She is a mentor and speaker, sharing her experiences of balancing career and family.
With a passion for Hellenism, leadership, and community service, Elena is an inspiring role model, demonstrating the powerful contributions of women in Australia’s Greek diaspora.
- Kristina Liotis, Content creator, 40, Victoria
I nominate Kristina for The Greek Herald Woman of the Year Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to celebrating Greek culture in Australia. Kristina is the creative force behind Are You Even Greek, a dynamic digital platform that has captivated a growing community of over 128,000 followers. Through humour, Greek memes, food, and history, she has created a space where Greeks of all generations can connect, laugh, and learn. Kristina’s work is a modern-day celebration of Greek identity, blending tradition with contemporary culture in a way that resonates with audiences on a global scale. As an entrepreneur, Kristina is building a thriving online business, driven by her passion for cultural storytelling. She continues to innovate within the digital space while staying true to her roots, inspiring others to embrace their heritage and build meaningful connections. Balancing business with motherhood, she embodies resilience and determination. Despite the challenges she faces, she consistently delivers engaging and authentic content, spreading joy and pride to thousands. Kristina is not just a content creator, she is a cultural ambassador, community leader, and inspiration to Greek Australians. Her dedication to preserving and promoting Greek identity through digital platforms makes her an ideal recipient of this.
- Helen Emmanuel Pras JP, 70, Retired, Victoria
Helen started the first Greek Women’s Group back in 1986 while she spotted as an Allied Health Assistant in Lalor. She then also started another Greek Women’s group when she was transferred to Preston in which the group still continues to meet. Helen also was involved with the Cyprus Community of Melbourne as a secretary for the cultural group. In 1992 she was asked by the Cypriot community of the Northern suburbs of Melbourne to start a women’s group which is still continuing today. Eventually Helen started a group and is the President the Greek and Cypriot Social Welfare Centre back in 1998 and holds a variety of activities and a welfare service in which she assists people with a various welfare issues. The group now meets once a month in two locations in Reservoir and Craigieburn and holds two cultural events. These events are held to allow all who attend to keep up with traditions and to break down the isolation barrier faced by many elderly. Helen is also the secretary of the Greek Cypriot Cultural & Theatrical Centre in which here she arranged cultural and theatrical events. In 1977 Helen became a JP and still serves the community.
- Sophia Siachos, Lawyer/restauranteur, 40, Victoria
Sophia’s recent triumph in spearheading the return of Victoria’s Greek National Day parade to the vicinity of the Shrine from where it was banished 5 years ago is a testament to her vision and leadership. As Chair of Victoria’s Greek National Day Council, she singlehandedly revitalised this celebration, injecting new energy and enthusiasm into this beloved tradition. Her achievement, where others failed, demonstrates a remarkable ability to mobilise and inspire the community.
Beyond this accomplishment, her dedication extends to the global stage. As a member of the International Committee for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles, she champions the return of the artifacts to their rightful home.
Her presence is a constant source of positive influence within the community. She is a highly sought MC for countless events, lending her charisma and eloquence to important gatherings. Despite being a successful lawyer, she opened a restaurant at the start of COVID-19. Alati in Bentleigh, demonstrates her entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.
Prior to this, she encompassed senior legal roles for government, the attorney general, County Court and more. Despite all her successes, she says her most important role is that of mother, and spending time with her family.
- Michaela Kaoullas, Scientist, 27, Victoria
Anxiety, depression and schizophrenia – What if there was a young pharmacology PHD student working on a drug? Monash Pharmaceutical department in Parkville Melbourne is where the future discoveries for this drug is being created and researched or other way around. Michaela has already won several national and international awards one of been invited to a large American research faculty.
- Eleni Paneras, 36, Head of National Vision, News Corp, New South Wales
Eleni is a highly accomplished video, digital, and social media professional with over 15 years of experience in journalism, spanning across broadcast television, radio, and digital news. She is currently the Head of National Vision at News Corp Australia. From humble beginnings as a producer on Nine & Today Show, Eleni has quietly progressed through the ranks. In her former role as Head of Social, Video and Off-Platform Strategy at news.com.au Eleni was instrumental in dramatically increasing its social audience and led the strategic expansion into existing and emerging social platforms. In her current, more expanded role at News Corp Australia, Eleni’s video and digital media strategies have helped transform newsrooms through creative visual storytelling and greater audience engagement. But she has not forgotten her own travails and has acted as mentor to countless young professionals finding their way in this highly competitive industry, always keen to offer advice and encouragement as well as moral support. But Eleni is also an unsung heroine as a mother to two young children, juggling the pressures of work with a burning determination to raise her children to embrace their rich Hellenic heritage. She is also a proficient triathlete and vocal health and wellness advocate.
The ‘Woman to Watch’ Award finalists
- Lavinia Mangos, Teacher, 22, New South Wales
My unsung heroine is my younger sister, Lavinia Mangos, whose unwavering dedication has been pivotal to the resurgence of Cazzie Youth (CY), the youth arm of the Castellorizian Association of NSW. First established in 2015, CY pays homage to the original ‘Younger Set’ first founded by the Association in 1960. Following a period of inactivity exacerbated by Covid and a lapse in committee engagement, it was Lavinia who pioneered CY’s revival in 2022.
Lavinia works tirelessly behind the scenes – crafting CY’s growth strategy, increasing social media engagement and planning events. CY’s events consistently sell out within days, demonstrating the clear interest amongst the younger generation of Greek-Australians, and in particular Castellorizians, to embrace and celebrate their shared ancestry through consistent social events which have made a huge impact on the Sydney Greek social scene, which Lavinia identified had a major gap for young people aged 18 to 30.
Moreover, Lavinia played a critical role in preparing for the association’s centenary gala in 2024, conducting extensive research and uncovering vital primary sources for the event’s presentations.
Through her commitment, Lavinia has made a substantial impact within our community, forging lasting bonds and ensuring the continuation of our shared cultural heritage.
- Michaela Loukas, Year 12 Student, 17, New South Wales
Born in Greece and raised in Sydney’s Canterbury LGA – home to NSW’s largest Greek community – Michaela Loukas embodies the brilliance of young Greek Australians. Arriving in Australia at age five with limited English, she defied expectations, mastering the language and winning public speaking competitions every year since. Now 16, (DOB-25.2.08) Michaela is a trailblazing STEM innovator. She co-developed a robotic melanoma screening prototype designed to increase early detection in rural areas and is currently building an AI-driven deep learning model to enhance breast cancer diagnosis -an idea so novel it has drawn interest from global oncology experts including former WHO cancer chief Prof. Sikora who called it ‘the best student project I’ve ever seen.’
Michaela’s contributions extend beyond science. She volunteers with KidsXpress to support trauma-affected children, assists researchers at USYD’s Matilda Centre for Substance Abuse, and serves as a GoodSAM first-aid responder. She won the 2025 Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year award (and personally congratulated by Hon.Sophie Cotsis) a poignant moment, as her Greek father received his citizenship at the same ceremony nine years prior. With accolades including the Victor Chang Science Award and NSW Legislative Assembly recognition, Michaela’s not just a rising star she’s the next generation of Greek-Australian changemakers.
- Daphne Gerolymou-Papadopoulou, Actor and Theatre Maker, 23, Victoria
Daphne Gerolymou-Papadopoulou is an emerging theatre maker weaving her Greek-Australian heritage into bold, immersive storytelling. She blends movement, language and ritual into performances that resonate deeply, drawing audiences into the heart of her work.
Her recent work, Breadwinning, was more than an interactive performance – it was a deeply personal exploration of labour, care and tradition. The audience shared the stage with her, kneading dough, shaping with their hands, transforming a simple act into something sacred. She drew from the rituals passed down by her yiayia, turning them into a theatrical language that spoke to heritage and community. As the performance unfolded, the act of breaking and sharing the bread became a powerful moment of connection – an unspoken acknowledgment of the traditions that nourish us.
She brings a uniquely Hellenic lens to her storytelling, blending contemporary themes with the echoes of her ancestry. Her ability to turn shared cultural memory into living, breathing theatre sets her apart.
Daphne is a rising star, shaping the future of theatre with a distinctly Greek-Australian voice. She is truly a Woman to Watch.
- Melina and Zoe Haritopoulou-Sinanidou, 23 and 20, Students, Queensland and Victoria
Sisters are doing it for themselves says the song, but these two sisters are doing it together. Melina and Zoe are a testament to the power of sisterhood and the incredible contributions young women make to science in their community. Arriving from rural Athens to Australia in 2017, they faced the challenge of navigating a new education system and culture. Despite this, they thrived. Melina is a rising star in neuroscience with another year to go on her PhD scholarship though she already has important collabs to her name with the the MUrdoch Children’s Research Centre, Mater Institute, Diamantina and Doherty where she developed a code for analysing viral datasets which helped during COVID and got her published in Virus Evolution – a remarkable achievement for an undergraduate. She also enjoys they beauty of science and creates artworks with cells.
Zoe, just 20, is already a Biomed Graduate and working at the Doherty for her honours. When she is not studying nanoparticles and immunology she enjoys connecting with her Greek culture and even taught Greek for two years. Both have a deep commitment to academic excellence and making a positive impact. They would love to see more women in STEM.
- Angelique Aifantis, Student, 21, New South Wales
Angelique is a young woman who has played a pivotal role in promoting the Greek culture and its history whilst bringing people together. She is currently the President of Sydney University Greek Society whilst completing her degree in Bachelor of Education (Secondary). She began as a first year representative, followed by Vice President and then took on her current role. This year she has successfully drawn huge crowds to events such as ‘Taste of Greece’, ‘Paradise’ and ‘CUGA Cruise’ and on campus BBQ’s. It was an honour for her to emcee and co-host together with Combined University Greek Association commemorating the Anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising 1973.
Angelique successfully increased the society’s members through effective marketing campaigns and fundraising events all whilst studying her degree, completing a course in Modern Greek Studies and working at a Department of Education High school in a Support Unit as a School Learning Support Officer. She enjoys bringing people together, sharing the culture, its traditions and rich history. She gained the respect of her peers and is working alongside them on new ideas for the future. As this ‘ heroine’ moves towards the future with her huge smile she is the one watch!
The winners for the 2025 ‘Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards will be publicly announced on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at an International Women’s Day event at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney from 3.30pm. The event is presented by The Greek Festival of Sydney, supported by The Greek Herald. The winner will also be featured in an exclusive cover story in The Greek Herald with a professional portrait taken by renowned photographer Effy Alexakis.
Event Details:
- Event: Hellenic Horizons: Greek Women Leading the Path to Progress
- Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Venue: The Grand Roxy | Reef Room (Bayside Plaza, 128 The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands NSW 2216)
- Register to attend the event here.
