The Leadership Thread with Dr. Peggy Pelonis

In this inspiring episode of The Leadership Thread, maritime attorney Ioanna Vitta shares her journey from a determined young woman in Greece to a respected leader in international shipping law. She discusses perseverance, breaking barriers in a male- dominated industry, the value of trust and teamwork, and why patience, lifelong learning, and resilience remain essential ingredients for leadership...

From engineering student to award-winning filmmaker, ASC Athens Alumni, Sura Mallugh shares how resilience, identity, and fearless storytelling shaped her path in the film industry. In this inspiring conversation with Dr. Peggy Pelonis, she opens up about creating her own opportunities, finding her voice, and why filmmakers should never wait for permission. A powerful episode about creativity, lea...

In this episode, Janice Crampton, CEO of ASAP, delivers a powerful and deeply personal conversation on leadership, purpose, and the rapidly evolving landscape of education. Drawing on more than four decades of experience, she shares hard-earned insights on navigating change, leading with integrity, and balancing institutional tradition with the demands of a global, digital world. From redefining s...

In this episode of The Leadership Thread, entrepreneur Telly Hatzigiorgiou shares his journey from Wall Street to building successful hospitality and real estate ventures in New York City. He talks about the importance of hard work, family values, taking risks, and learning how to pivot when life doesn’t go as planned. From opening his first business at a young age to expanding into Manhattan and...

On this episode of Leadership Thread, hosted by Dr. Peggy Pelonis, Chef Maria Loi reflects on her remarkable journey — from growing up in the village of Thermo, Greece, to establishing a celebrated culinary presence in New York, while bringing the flavors and spirit of Greece to a national audience through her PBS television series, Life of Loi. Maria reflects on growing up in a tight-knit family...

In this powerful episode of The Leadership Thread, we sit down with Elena Panaritis, economist, former World Bank advisor, parliamentarian, and fearless change agent, for a deeply human conversation about what truly shapes leaders. From a childhood rooted in unconditional love and justice, inspired by her formidable grandmother, to confronting inequality on the ground in the developing world, Pana...

From global brands to personal reinvention, this episode of The Leadership Thread follows the extraordinary journey of Dimitri Hatzigiorgiou, whose leadership path spans Starbucks, Chipotle, Apple, and community-driven ventures in both the United States and Greece. Dimitri reflects on introducing an American coffee model into Greece’s deeply rooted café culture, the power of the “third place,” and...

On The Leadership Thread with Dr. Peggy Pelonis, this episode features Dr. Adela Gondek, a Columbia University lecturer in public and environmental sustainability ethics and a political theorist by training. Drawing on her experience as a former legislative analyst in the Massachusetts State Senate and her academic work at Columbia and Harvard’s Kennedy School, Dr. Gondek explores whether ethics c...

In this episode of The Leadership Thread, Dr. Peggy Pelonis speaks with global strategic advisor and mentor David Michaels about leadership beyond titles and visibility. With decades of experience advising world leaders and major organizations, Michaels shares his belief in guiding quietly, empowering others to solve their own challenges, and valuing listening over speaking. He reflects on how his...

Senior financial executive Dora Vardis joins Dr. Peggy Pelonis for an inspiring conversation about her journey to becoming one of the first women in Columbia University’s finance program, her path through a 35-year career in a male-dominated industry, her pivot into fintech entrepreneurship, and co-founding a crypto startup. Dora reflects on the values that shaped her, the discrimination she overc...

On this episode of the The Leadership Thread, Dr. Pelonis sits down with Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear, for a heartfelt conversation about the moments that shaped his life and career. From early influences to defining breakthroughs, Kinnear reflects on the experiences and lessons that guided his path to success. An inspiring look at resilience, purpose, and the leadership qualities formed lon...

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