HACCI Young Professionals Network launches 2025 Mentoring Program

·

The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) officially launched its 2025 HACCI Young Professionals Network (HYPN) Mentoring Program on Wednesday, May 7, at Vanilla Lounge in Oakleigh, drawing a full house of young professionals, experienced businesspeople, and community leaders.

Titled ‘Packing for Success’, the event featured a compelling fireside chat and entrepreneurship masterclass with Athan Didaskalou, co-founder of luggage and lifestyle brand JULY, in conversation with HACCI Board Member Vicky Alexiou.

Known for his unorthodox professional path and his deep business insight, Athan shared his journey from suburban Melbourne chicken shop owner to co-founder of a brand that now boasts 27 retail stores across six countries, and a partnership with the Australian Olympic Team. 

“I haven’t known what I wanted to do for a long time – I probably still don’t,” Athan quipped, musing about his journey in business, bringing mirth to the audience. 

Speaking of JULY’s success, he attributed it to the company’s relationship to its customer base. 

“We’re customer obsessed,” he said. “We love the customers, because they are the revenue. We’re checking our emails every five minutes.”

Having said that, he stressed the importance of maintaining a personal life outside of work, describing his work-life balance approach as “giving 80% of yourself to work and 110% at home.” 

This deeply resonated with the audience, as did Athan’s insights on every aspect of a career in product development and retail, from desing and manufacturing tips, to productivity hacks, to exploring new markets, hiring, and knowing who to turn to for advice.

A warm and compelling speaker who doesn’t mince his words, Athan charmed the audience with his honest and open discussion with Vicky, but also to the audience questions that went deep into issues of manufacturing, customer service, and international trade.

The event also shone a spotlight on HACCI’s flagship HYPN Mentoring Program, which has helped more than 500 young professionals navigate their career, in over a decade. Far from applying a traditional model, the program is designed to foster transformational, tailor-made mentorship experience that benefit both mentees and mentors.

At the heart of the program is an inversion of the usual dynamic: mentees take the lead by submitting their personal wish list of industries – and even specific mentors – they’d like to connect with. From there HACCI draws from its extensive national and international network to find the best match, creating a six-month-long journey of mutual growth. 

To date, the HYPN mentoring program has paired hundreds of mentors and mentees, drawing participants from fields as varied as law, medicine, finance, science and technology, education, charities and not-for-profits, the creative industries, and beyond. Many mentees choose to connect with professionals outside their own field, seekine fresh perspectives and broader inspiration.

“We are incredibly proud of this work here at HACCI,” Vicky said, “fostering the new generation of Hellenic Australian business and professional leaders, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey – mentors, mentees, and supporters.”

The evening closed with a warm vote of thanks, and a raffle that saw one lucky audience member win a JULY carry-on suitcase (the original design); HACCI presented Athan with a spectacular floral gift, courtesy of Mr Roses, winner of the Bank of Sydney Business Excellence Award at last year’s HACCI Excellence Awards.

The HACCI Young Professionals Network Mentoring Program is open to all HACCI Professional Members. Anyone interested is welcome to contact HACCI via email (info@hacci.com.au).

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Young filmmakers shine at inaugural Greek Film Festival of Sydney competition

The next generation of Greek Australian storytellers took centre stage as the 1st Greek Australian Youth Filmmaking Competition debuted.

Eugenia Mitrakas wins Australasian Lawyer Elite Women 2025 award

Eugenia Mitrakas, principal of EMR Mitrakas, has been recognised as a winner of the prestigious Australasian Lawyer Elite Women 2025 award.

Ten years of kefi: Oakleigh Glendi 2025 promises biggest celebration yet

The much-loved Oakleigh Glendi Festival returns to Warrawee Park on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November 2025.

Leadership change at The Hellenic Initiative Australia as Nicholas Pappas AM steps down

Nicholas Pappas AM steps down after 12 years as President of The Hellenic Initiative Australia. Read more here.

Pharos, Loverdos and Greek delegation unite to secure the future of Greek in Australia

A meeting with Pharos Alliance representatives was top of mind for Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Loverdos on Friday.

You May Also Like

Erdogan: Turkey will give Greece the ‘answer it deserves’

Turkish President Erdogan has warned that Turkey will give Greece the “answer it deserves” over the eastern Mediterranean dispute.

Greece confirms exploratory talks with Turkey will be held on March 16 in Athens

The next round of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey will be held on March 16 in Athens, the Greek Foreign Ministry said.

Kytherian World Heritage Fund works to preserve almost 100 year Kytherian legacy in Australia

The Kytherian World Heritage Fund, operating since 2003, has been preserving the Kytherian heritage for 17 years, publishing books on the Kytherian legacy.