FAITH members met in New York City for the 5th annual Faith Founders’ Meeting. After the meeting, Mary and Michael Jaharis hosted two private events for the Founders of FAITH and guests. Early in the afternoon, Dr. Helen Evans, Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator of Byzantine Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, led a private tour of the Byzantium and Islam exhibition. The private tour was followed by a private dinner program for the Founders and guests of FAITH Endowment at Le Cirque Restaurant. The Dinner program included a series of thought provoking presentations examining converging topics of concern by some of the leading Greek Americans. The Speakers shared their thoughts covering converging aspects of concern for America’s future related to the economy, education, and ethics. This exceptional group of individuals privately addressed the group and also connects how certain current events may relate to the future of America and the Hellenic American community.
Professor Charles Calomiris, Professor at Columbia University School of Business and School of International and Public Affairs, presented his perspective and outlook on the Greek and European Crisis and the impact World Markets. Jim Chanos then offered his perspectives on economic growth in China – his presentation is “A Cynic Ponders China.” After Jim, Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical, spoke about how America can maintain “its edge” through Manufacturing (job creation, engineering etc…leadership, technology, and innovation) And Roy Vagelos, Retired Chairman of Merck and Founder of Regeneron, spoke last as his topic addressed the need to support initiatives promoting science, technology, engineering and math education in the US – and some ideas of how this can be done and is being done and also, how the FAITH Endowment can have a significant role through its scholarship programs.