Meet the YAL Chicago Executive Board
Stephanie Garoufalis
Stephanie grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, attending Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, IL. Stephanie graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science and continued on at Iowa to graduate with her Masters of Speech-Language Pathology in 2023. During her time at school, Stephanie was an active member of her OCF chapter. This summer, Stephanie also had the honor of serving as a staff member at Ionian Village. Stephanie now works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in southwest Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog Charlie, reading, and listening to Taylor Swift. Stephanie is thrilled to be joining the YAL Chicago board and is excited to connect to young Orthodox Christians in Chicago through the faith.
Anastasia Fafoutis
Anastasia grew up in Severn, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore where she was a member of St. George in Bethesda. For years, she was an active GOYA/YAL member at her parish, becoming GOYA President during high school, and YAL President in 2021. She has competed in FDF since she was a kid, and has always loved Greek dancing! Following her graduation in 2018 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a degree in Financial Economics, Anastasia continued her education at LSU obtaining two MBAs, one in Finance and one in Marketing. She moved to Chicago in 2022 for a change of scenery from the East Coast to use her degrees and become a part of a new Orthodox community. Here, she is a member of Ladies Ed, and a YAL leader of St. George in Lincoln Park where she plans social, outreach, and fundraising events for all members. She works downtown as a budget manager for New York and Midwest based clients on their brand campaigns. In her free time, Anastasia crochets (a lot!), likes to go on runs, thrifts, bakes, and is constantly trying new coffee shops around the city. She’s honored to be on the YAL Chicago board and she hopes to make everyone in the community feel as welcome as she has been. Chicago is a place that she hopes to call home for her future!
Eleni Sakas
Eleni is from Antioch, IL, and grew up at St. Demetrios in Libertyville. She currently attends Ascension of our Lord in Lincolnshire, IL. She served on the YAL Chicago conference board for two years, and is looking forward to helping plan events year around. Eleni graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Media Arts and Cinema Studies with a minor in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism. Eleni also has certificates in Film Production and Sports Media. At U of I, Eleni was involved with her OCF chapter as the Vice President of Media, Good Morning Illini, and Illini Sports Night, and she was an intern for the Fighting Illini Sports Productions. Eleni was a camp counselor for three summer camps in the Greek community: Fanari, Metropolis of Boston Camp, and Saint Stephens. Of course, she was a participant in the Junior Olympics, as well as the Oratorical Festival. Eleni currently freelances her media skills and works for the Metropolis of Chicago as a Media Specialist. In her free time, Eleni loves to create media, watch college sports, or travel anywhere (especially National Parks).
Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos
Fr. Anastasios grew up in the north suburbs of Chicago. Though raised in the Orthodox Faith, it was not until his college years at the University of Illinois that he developed a passion for the Church and deep desire to know Christ. Upon graduation, Fr. Anastasios enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary, where he was able to indulge his desire to enrich and enliven his life in the Orthodox faith. Upon graduation in 2014, he married his wife Presvytera Elizabeth, and they moved to St. Louis, Missouri to serve Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, where he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in May of 2015. He served in St. Louis for 5 years as an associate pastor before being transferred to Peoria in September of 2019. Fr. Anastasios is the spiritual advisor of the YAL Chicago Board. He has a deep passion for sharing the Orthodox faith, and works to inspire the faithful Orthodox Christians of Joliet to live their faith, and share it with our friends and neighbors. He welcomes all who seek God to come and see how Orthodox Christians have encountered Christ for centuries.
Evalina Bournias
Evalina is from the northern suburbs of Chicago and is a steward of her parish, Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church of Niles, IL. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (I-L-L!) in 2020 with a degree in Economics, and currently works on the HR Business Partner team at tms, a HAVI co. Evalina has always loved being involved in the Metropolis since she was a young age and continues to be heavily involved. In the past she has been a Fanari Camp counselor, Junior Olympics coach, and chairperson of the YAL Chicago Conference. Now, she currently serves on her parish’s YAL board and Philoptochos chapter, as well as the National YAL Board for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Evalina is so excited for her fourth year on the YAL Chicago Board and can’t wait to meet you!
Andrew Callas
Andrew is originally from the Chicagoland area and is passionate about staying involved in his community. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University (Go BOILERS!) and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was active in student organizations and served as an Adjunct Professor. Andrew currently works as an Associate at Fox Rothschild LLP, focusing on corporate law. He is also a proud member of the YAL Chicago Executive Board and loves contributing to the organization’s events and initiatives. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys hosting dinner parties, exploring Chicago’s food scene, and hanging out with his beagles, Mackey and Leo!
Tia Kotsiopoulos
Tia grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago attending St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine, IL. She has her BBA in Marketing from Loyola University Chicago, and just recently graduated with her MBA from Loyola as well. Tia currently serves as the Treasurer for the National Hellenic Student Association of America (NHSA), and is involved in her parish’s YAL organization. She has enjoyed being involved within the Metropolis, and looks forward to bringing her leadership skills to the YAL Chicago Executive Board. Tia is eager to grow in her faith and play a role in bringing the young adult community together.
Yanni Motter
Yanni Motter grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois. He is a second-generation Greek American, with roots stemming from Tripoli and Nestani. Most recently he graduated Southern Illinois University, majoring in Automotive Technology and minoring in Workforce Education & Advanced Vehicle Systems/ Diagnostics. Most recently he began his career with Toyota Motors North America (TMNA) as a Management Trainee. Yanni has been involved in various organizations and activities within the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago such as being a counselor since 2019 for Fanari Summer Camp and his involvement with the Young Adult League of Chicago's conference board. He is also currently the Regional Director for the Great Lakes of the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA). Yanni is thrilled to be able to participate and help grow the YAL Board along with bringing people together through the faith.
Maria Laros
Maria is a recent resident of Chicago but was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Growing up she attended Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church and now attends St George in the city. Graduating in 2020 and 2021, Maria studied behavioral neuroscience and Human Resources at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. While at school, she served as OCF president and parish council member at Three Hierarchs. Maria now works as an Onboarding Specialist at the UPS CACH facility. In her free time she enjoys painting, practicing writing icons, reading, singing & playing ukulele. Maria is thrilled to be on the YAL Chicago board and is excited to serve the orthodox community of Chicago.
John Panos
John Panos lives in Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL but is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. He now attends St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lincoln Park. John came to Chicago for work, selling software to car dealerships (very glamorous) for Reynolds & Reynolds in the Chicagoland area and Wisconsin, and is happy he did. When he isn’t working, he’s helping run Chicago and Pittsburgh YAL Conferences, spending time with friends as much as possible and trying new restaurants for his food instagram @PanosPlates. He looks forward to growing his involvement in the YAL community wherever he can apply himself, and is very excited for the year ahead!
Valentina Tragus
Valentina grew up in Los Angeles, California, and attended St. Katherines in Redondo Beach. She graduated from DePaul University with a bachelors of science in Business with a concentration in leadership. While at DePaul, Valentina attended St. Georges and was the Vice President of OCF. Valentina works at Wintrust Financial Corporation as a Credit Analyst and enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling in her free time. Valentina enjoys being involved in her community and is excited to be a member of the YAL Chicago Board.