Philo4Thought Hellenic Professional Mentoring Initiative is pleased to present our July 2019 Young Professional of the Month! The goal of our publications is to provide positive, successful role models who will inspire the next generation of young professionals. Preliminary criteria for YPM candidates is that they are actively engaged in an entrepreneurial initiative or have made a successful career for themselves, thereby serving as strong role models to the next generation of young professionals. Candidates are typically of Hellenic origin and part of a humanitarian (educational, sociological, scientific, etc.) or environmentally-conscious field. Given the gradual expansion of our readership, we currently interview candidates who embrace a specific Hellenic philosophy best described in a word: Philotimo (φιλότιμο). The most important qualifications all our candidates share are the spirit and compassion to persevere, and the heart to share their knowledge and experience with others.

This month’s featured young professional, Eleni Farmakis (A.B.J., B.A., Public Relations, Magna Cum Laude; Certificate in New Media, Speech Communication, The University of Georgia (2012)) is a Public Relations and Strategic Communications Specialist for Pharmaceuticals and Crisis Communications at Fleishman Hillard where she also manages patient advocate relations. Eleni is well-versed in traditional and digital media with successful national and local consumer campaigns (celebrity endorsements, spokesperson engagement, major pharmaceutical and Fortune 500 companies). Eleni is also involved in various philanthropic activities including the American Red Cross, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia Alumni Board, Greek America Foundation, Greek-American Fashion Week, Greek Orthodox Youth of America, Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, National Eating Disorders Association, New Media Institute & Society, Public Relations Student Society of America, Relay for Life, United Greek Americans, and Ronald McDonald House Charities Young Adults (as Past President). .

ARTICLE LINK: Aim for Progress

CREDIT & RECOGNITION: Many thanks to Eleni Farmakis for sharing this story with us and to all those who contributed to her success, including mentors Maria Kalligeros and Sean Jones.