DEMITRI DOUZENIS
PRESIDENT
Demitri has volunteered for many organizations and contributed to many causes throughout his life. Upon his return to Vancouver in 2004, he noticed the critical need for affordable housing in his neighborhood. Wanting to contribute towards the creation of a more sustainable community, he immediately joined the Hellenic Housing Society (then known as St. Barbara’s Care Facility Association) and took on the roles of Secretary and Vice-President before becoming President of the Society in 2006. Utilizing his international and national experiences, Demitri always looks at the ‘bigger picture’ and applies this to his community involvement. A major goal of his for the HHS is to expand the Society services through acquiring another building.
George Nicolaou
VICE PRESIDENT
George graduated from BCIT with diplomas in Radio Broadcasting and Journalism. This led him to various radio/broadcasting positions in British Columbia. George has been in the industry for 3 years at which time he had held positions including Program Director and morning show host in Tofino. He has also held a position at Star 98.3 and Country 107.1 as the afternoon news anchor. George felt the need to give back to his community by getting involved with Hellenic Housing Society in 2006. He joined the board as Secretary and in 2007 he became Vice-President. George’s involvement in the Hellenic Housing Society has led him to pursue a career in Property Management with Baywest Management Corporation.
CHRISTOS GEORGAS
TREASURER
Yiota Dais
SECRETARY
Yiota graduated in 2008 from Simon Fraser University completing a Degree in Geography with a Certificate in Urban Studies. She is actively pursuing a career in city planning and development. She has large interest in cities and how they work. For example, she has massive interest in population patterns, gentrification issues, polarization, and affordable/social housing. Being concerned with social issues, Yiota felt the need to get involved in her community. She became involved with the Hellenic Housing Society in 2006 as a member-at-large, and was elected as a board member in 2007.
JESSICA DOUZENIS
Jessica is a Cuban-American, who immigrated to Vancouver in 2004. She possesses two Masters degrees in the areas of diplomacy and law, with a special concentration on dispute resolution. Jessica has a long history of community service, dating back to her days in Miami, Florida. She joined the Hellenic Housing Society upon her arrival to Vancouver, because of a genuine interest in providing low income housing to those in need, particularly seniors. “My great aunt, who served as a great role model to me, lived in seniors low income housing and I appreciate the positive result that living on one’s own community in their later years can have on one’s psyche,” says Jessica. Furthermore, Jessica contributes much of her time to municipal and Federal politics, although she is not a citizen and cannot vote, she believes that participation in the democratic process is fundamental to having one’s voice heard – and she wants municipal government to hear that Vancouver needs more affordable housing and the Federal government to hear that a federal housing policy is desperately needed in Canada. When she’s not rallying or organising, Jessica is caring for her newborn daughter, Anastasia, and running a Cross-Cultural consultancy with her husband, Demitri Douzenis.
Bill Rapanos
Bill is a consultant who has a 32 year background in Community Planning. His responsibilities have included working for the City of Burnaby where he advised on development approvals, zoning matters, park development, heritage management, downtown revitalization and environmental issues related to development and overall land use policies. Bill has also worked as a private planning consultant and for the Department of Indian Affairs Canada. He has been a volunteer director since 1987 and past president of St. Barbara's Care Facility Association/Hellenic Housing Society that manages 30 units of non-profit seniors housing at 3625 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver.
Anastasia Mirras
Anastasia is a registered psychologist since 1972. She is recently retired after 36 years with the Vancouver School Board. She has been largely involved in the community and has served on numerous boards such as the Kitsilano House Board, College of Psychology Board and was the first female to be elected on the Hellenic Community Board in 1989. Anastasia joined St Barbara’s as a member at large in 1985. Shortly thereafter she became a board member for the Hellenic Housing Society formally known as St. Barbara’s Care Facility.
Harry Killas
MARY Sakelaridis
