THE ΤΕΛΟΣ SOCIETY speaks to Sozita Goudouna, Founding Director of Greece In USA
Greece in USA is a non-profit organization with a global reach that promotes knowledge of contemporary and ancient Greek Culture while fostering international cultural cooperation, experimentation and social engagement. The organization's extensive programming includes commissioned artists' and curators' projects, residencies, educational and ecological initiatives and the commitment to cultivating a sensible culture of innovation and thought leadership.
We are dedicated to offering innovative and unique programs in education and the arts, all exploring the evolving diversity and richness of Greek and Cypriot cultures. The non- profit organization seeks to generate new thinking about the arts and promote cross- cultural dialogue through partnerships and new platforms of creation.
The organization promotes international exchange of practice and knowledge in the arts - visual and sound art, dance, architecture, theatre - research on the methods used in curatorial and performing practices and investigation of points of intersection between the arts, science and the public sphere by means of interventions, collective actions, educational programs and publications.
Greece in USA aims to collaborate and build long-lasting partnerships with leading institutions and individuals who actively engage with Greece and its culture and to convey a comprehensive and distinctive representation of Greece and Cyprus by producing cultural and educational programs that encourage intercultural dialogue and enable cultural involvement.
Our principal goals are:
To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
To recalibrate the assumed center of Greek national narratives to include those who have often been denied historical recognition.
To transform the way Greek histories are told and produce projects that reflect the vast, rich complexity of Greek culture.
To support Greek inspired cultural practices by welcoming and nurturing new ideas and influential perspectives
To commission, produce and present contemporary Greek and Cypriot culture that grapple with many of the pressing social and political issues of our time
To foster Greek scholarship and cultural research within the American educational system
To develop a transatlantic network for the exchange of culture and ideas
To strengthen the development of structures in cultural policy & leadership, and foster worldwide mobility.
Greece in USA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization registered in the State of New York, tax-exempt ID no. 85-0828531. Contributions to Greece in USA are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Greece in USA's launch is under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture.
THE TEΛΟΣ SOCIETY
MENTOR ROOM
Empowering aspiring creative professionals contribute in Culture, Innovation, Sustainability, and Civic Services
Our Focus:
While we welcome all innovative thinkers, our primary emphasis is on supporting startups based in the Greek periphery, borderland regions, and remote Greek islands or areas. We are especially committed to companies dedicated to serving and uplifting these communities, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
"Immerse yourself in a world of building blocks, where you are invited to become the architect of ideas and ethical practices"
Our TTS MENTOR ROOM!
Georgia Kotretsos, Pieter van Ysseldijk, Fotis Kasdaglis, and Alexandros Touramanis
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
THE ΤΕΛΟΣ SOCIETY | Professional Development Series
All seminars are conceived and developed by Georgia Kotretsos, Founder of THE ΤΕΛΟΣ SOCIETY, in collaboration with a network of specialised experts and practitioners. The conceptual frameworks, methodologies, curricula and educational materials of these programmes represent the intellectual property of Georgia Kotretsos and are protected under applicable intellectual property legislation.
As part of its commitment to advancing culture, regional development and professional practice, THE ΤΕΛΟΣ SOCIETY is launching its new Vocational Seminar Series enrollment begins January 2027. Developed from years of research, and field practice across Greece, these intensive seven-day seminars are designed for individuals seeking practical knowledge, meaningful networks and long-term professional growth.
Offered in Greek and English, each seminar may be attended online or in person (different groups), with two distinct learning experiences. The online seminars are intentionally designed as cross-regional, cross-generational and cross-sectoral learning environments, bringing together participants from across Greece and abroad to exchange perspectives, build lasting collaborations and develop professional networks that extend beyond geographical boundaries. The in-person seminars offer smaller, highly specialised cohorts based in Athens, providing intensive workshops, site visits, case studies and direct engagement with practitioners, institutions and professional networks.
Seminar packages and enrollment will begin in January 2027.
All seminars are delivered by a network of esteemed experts and practitioners, combining interdisciplinary knowledge, field experience and specialised expertise to support meaningful cultural, creative and regional transformation.
For more information please contact: thetelossociety@gmail.com. Subject: Inquiry Professional Development Series
THE CREATIVE PRACTICE
A Vocational Roadmap to Building a Sustainable Career in the Creative Industries
Designed for visual artists, artisans, designers, architects, authors, publishers, photographers, curators and creative professionals at every stage of their careers, this seminar provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the contemporary Greek creative landscape. Whether participants are relocating to Greece, beginning their professional journey, or pursuing a creative calling later in life, the programme offers the practical knowledge often absent from formal arts education. From legal frameworks and financial literacy to intellectual property, grants, publishing, logistics, professional presentation and relationship building, participants develop the tools needed to establish resilient and credible creative careers. The seminar is designed to help creative professionals build lasting relationships with organisations, patrons, collectors, institutions and funders while presenting themselves with confidence, professionalism and integrity.
GROWING GREEN
Living Culture, Vocational Heritage, Regenerative Practice and the Future of the Greek Periphery
This intensive seminar equips participants with the knowledge and practical methodologies needed to live, work and invest responsibly in the Greek periphery. Intended for both residents and those considering relocating to rural, island or border communities, the programme explores how local knowledge, traditional professions, craftsmanship and ecological intelligence can become engines of contemporary livelihoods. Rather than preserving heritage as something static or confined within institutional walls, the seminar promotes living culture as a dynamic resource that creates employment, resilience and sustainable futures. Participants learn how to engage ethically with communities, recognise regional opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the long-term vitality of the Greek countryside.
CULTURAL STEWARDSHIP
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Visionaries of Business
Culture flourishes when visionary businesses, institutions and individuals recognise it as a shared responsibility. This seminar is designed for business and marketing students, corporate leaders, foundations, philanthropists, aspiring patrons and investors who wish to understand how strategic cultural support can generate lasting social and economic value. Participants examine contemporary approaches to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), ESG, philanthropy and cultural investment while exploring how even modest interventions, when informed by local realities and genuine partnerships, can have transformative impact. Moving beyond cosmetic sponsorship and short-term visibility, the seminar provides participants with the knowledge to develop meaningful cultural strategies, identify emerging needs, support underrepresented communities and contribute to a resilient cultural ecosystem across Greece.
Together, these three seminars form a unique educational programme that bridges culture, creativity, sustainability and professional practice. They reflect THE ΤΕΛΟΣ SOCIETY's commitment to cultivating informed practitioners, responsible collaborators and visionary leaders capable of shaping the future of Greece's creative and cultural landscape.
THE CREATIVE PRACTICE
A Vocational Roadmap to Building a Sustainable Career in the Creative Industries
Creative practice extends far beyond the production of work. While artists, designers, authors and cultural practitioners dedicate years to developing their craft, many receive little or no training in the professional ecosystem required to sustain a long-term career. As a result, talented practitioners often struggle not because of a lack of artistic ability, but because they are unfamiliar with the legal, financial, administrative and entrepreneurial frameworks that support professional practice.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:
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Understand the professional ecosystem that supports creative practice.
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Build sustainable financial models for independent creative careers.
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Understand contracts, taxation, invoicing and intellectual property rights.
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Price creative work and negotiate professional commissions ethically.
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Work effectively with galleries, publishers, collectors, institutions and cultural organisations.
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Develop funding strategies through grants, residencies, commissions and partnerships.
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Build professional credibility through transparent business practices and financial planning.
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Develop a long-term strategy for sustaining a creative practice while adapting to the changing landscape of the cultural and creative industries.
GROWING GREEN
Living Culture, Vocational Heritage, Regenerative Practice and the Future of the Greek Periphery
The Greek periphery is too often approached as something to be protected, documented or consumed. Villages become museums, traditions become performances, and local knowledge is archived only after it has ceased to be lived. This seminar proposes a different future.
Growing Green is a practical framework for understanding the Greek periphery as a living ecosystem where culture, work, ecology and everyday life are inseparable. Rather than preserving heritage through static conservation, the programme explores how traditional knowledge, regional professions and local production can continue to evolve as contemporary livelihoods.
Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
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Understand the Greek periphery as a living cultural and ecological system.
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Distinguish between preservation, exploitation and regeneration.
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Develop ethical methodologies for working alongside communities rather than studying them from the outside.
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Apply principles of Green Technologies in Culture to regional development.
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Recognise traditional professions as future-oriented careers rather than relics of the past.
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Create regenerative cultural strategies that strengthen local economies while respecting community agency.
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Develop interdisciplinary projects that encourage younger generations to remain in—or return to—the Greek periphery.
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Advocate for culture as a living infrastructure for resilience, sustainability and regional prosperity.
CULTURAL STEWARDSHIP: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Visionaries of Business
Culture is one of society’s most valuable assets, yet it is often perceived as the responsibility of governments or nonprofit organizations. Increasingly, however, the private sector has emerged as one of the most influential actors in preserving cultural heritage, supporting artistic innovation, fostering creative industries, and strengthening communities.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the seminar, students will be able to:
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Define Cultural Stewardship within contemporary CSR frameworks.
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Understand the relationship between business, culture, and sustainable development.
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Analyze successful corporate cultural initiatives in Greece, Cyprus and abroad.
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Evaluate CSR strategies through the four CSR pillars.
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Design corporate cultural responsibility programs.
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Develop partnerships between businesses and cultural institutions.
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Measure social and economic impact of cultural investments.
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Advocate for culture as a strategic corporate asset beyond the known and already established.
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Mock-up Visionary proposals and strategies will be drafted for specific corporations.
Our Team.
Georgia Kotretsos
Mentor
CERTIFICATEs OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE - MENTOR
Kotretsos is a certified professional in Green Technologies in Culture: Environment, Innovation and
Sustainability, following the ISO/IEC 17024 international standard, and is also a Certified Early Warning Mentor
(2025) and a Certified Early Warning of SMEs & Natural Persons Mentor (2026) through the ICCB of ACCI.
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SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE in Green Technologies in Culture: Environment, Innovation and Sustainability from the Energy and Environment Sector!
This certification follows the ISO/IEC 17024 international standard and the special Regulation for Certification of Persons ΕΚΠΦΠ-EnE, version 3.0/27-01-2025, recognizing expertise in implementing sustainable practices at the intersection of culture, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
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Mentoring is a dynamic advisory relationship between two parties—the “Mentor” and the “Mentee” or “Protégé.” This relationship is governed by the fundamental principles of mutual trust, understanding, and confidentiality.
The Mentor’s primary goal is to guide the Mentee to a professional level where they can develop the ability and confidence to make their own decisions, enrich their knowledge, and enhance their skills.
Pieter van Ysseldijk
Legal Advisor
Fotis Kasdaglis
Business Advisor
Fotis Kasdaglis is a dynamic professional specializing in start-up development and B2B sales strategy. As the co-founder of EnRise, a pioneering startup recognized for its innovative environmental solutions, Fotinos brings hands-on expertise in business planning, PR, and scaling sustainable ventures. His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Economics and ongoing studies for an MBA at Athens University of Economics and Business, where he is honing his analytical and strategic thinking skills. With professional experience spanning sales and customer service, Fotinos has cultivated a robust understanding of diverse business environments. A finalist in the prestigious ReGeneration program and a participant in L’Oréal’s BOOST upskilling initiative, he excels in leadership and innovation. Passionate about empowering startups, he leverages his education and practical experience to craft tailored strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and impact.
Alexandros Touramanis
Immersive Technologies Expert
AR/VR, WebXR, HMI, & UX.
Alexandros Touramanis is a Software engineer, Artist, and Researcher specializing in creating interactive experiences that bridge the digital and physical worlds. With an MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Democritus University of Thrace, he combines expertise in hardware and software to deliver innovative solutions. He has developed a groundbreaking virtual smartwatch that seamlessly integrates smartphones into VR environments, created tailored AR experiences for renowned museums in Germany, delivered the first WebAR experience for the German Bundestag, and contributed to an innovative HMI application for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Alexandros specializes in immersive technologies, including AR/VR, WebXR, HMI, and multisensory touchscreen applications, with a strong emphasis on UX. His goal is to leverage technology to enhance empathy and create experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire users worldwide.