Meet the YAL Chicago Executive Board
Marina Dimas
Marina is a Chicago native and grew up attending Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, IL. She graduated from Indiana University in 2019 and currently works for an agency as a Media Planner for Tropicana and Quaker Oats accounts. In her free time, you can catch Marina trying new coffee shops, planning her next travels and adding to her extensive Spotify playlists. Marina is eager to serve on the board for another year and looks forward to growing in her faith alongside the YAL Chicago family!
Anthony Jonas
Anthony is originally from Palos Hills and currently attends St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. He is speech-language pathologist during the day and a jack of many trades in his free time. Anthony describes himself as "the multipurpose friend," saying "yes" to anything from concerts and kickball to book clubs and golf. He previously worked on the administrative team for Orthodox Christian Fellowship and as a counselor at Fanari Camp.
Tia Kotsiopoulos
Tia grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago growing up at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church of Palatine, IL. She just graduated from Loyola University Chicago receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Following graduation, Tia has began a masters degree program concentrating on receiving her MBA at Loyola, and in the following years attending law school. Tia currently serves as the Finance Director for the National Hellenic Student Association of America (NHSA), involved in her parish’s YAL organization, and held various roles in Loyola’s Hellenic Student Association. She has enjoyed being involved in the Metropolis, and looks forward to bringing her leadership skills to the YAL Chicago board. Tia is eager to grow in her faith and play a role in bringing the young adult community together.
Fr. Kosmas Kallis
Born in Livonia, Michigan,
Fr. Kosmas was shaped by the Church. He served as an altar boy in his home parish and participated in GOYA, Summer Camp and the CrossRoad Institute. He earned a BA in Religious Studies from Hellenic College in 2012 and an MDiv (with High Distinction) from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2014. Soon after graduation, Fr. Kosmas joined the Saints Peter and Paul parish as a full-time youth director, a position he held until 2018. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in October of 2015 and to the Holy Priesthood in March of 2016. Fr. Kosmas is married to Anna Kallis, and together, have a son, Jonah, and recently welcomed his daughter, Mara.
Evalina Bournias
Evalina is back for her second year on the YAL Chicago board, and she couldn’t be more excited! She 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, and currently works in the Human Resources department for IMS Integrated Merchandising Solutions. Evalina has always loved being involved in the Metropolis since she was a young age and continues to be heavily involved. She currently serves as a GOYA advisor, Telos Project board member and Jr. Olympics coach for her parish, as well as a co-chair for the YAL Chicago Conference board. Some things that Evalina loves (almost) as much as her faith are jet-skiing, açaí bowls, and traveling!
Constance Chrones
Constance grew up in Glenview, IL attending both St. Andrews and Sts. Peter and Paul. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2020 with a degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Public Policy and Law and a double minor in Political Science and Communications. Constance is now a second-year law student at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and on the executive board of the Hellenic Law Society at UIC Law, as well as an active student member within the Hellenic Bar Association. Within the Chicago Metropolis, she was a Fanari camper and counselor. She is especially honored to serve the Metropolis through her leadership on the YAL Chicago Conference board and the YAL Chicago board for the second year. If she has free time, she works at lululemon, goes to pilates and writes.
Despina Lucas
Despina moved to Chicago by way of Southern California in 2020 but grew up in Clearwater, FL. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. The large Greek community is what brought her to the city of Chicago. She works as a Quality Assurance Specialist for Abbott. In her free time, Despina likes exploring trails with her pup, Tzatziki, trying new restaurants in the city, traveling and reading novels.
Lexi Mantice
Lexi is from the northern suburbs of Chicago and attends Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL. She graduated from Purdue University (Boiler Up!) in 2021 with a BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences. Lexi was GOYA President and OCF President and has a passion for being involved in young adult ministry. She is excited to take these experiences and serve the young adults of the Chicago Metropolis. Currently, Lexi is working at NorthShore University HealthSystem as a Research Study Coordinator in Infectious Disease Research. In her free time, Lexi enjoys playing Suduko, taking her dog Niki to the beach, listening to music, painting, and drinking sparkling water.
Athan Nickolozak
Athan grew up in northeast Ohio attending Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from ‘The’ Ohio State University in 2017 with a degree in biomedical engineering and went on to pursue Dental School, graduating in 2021. After completing his residency at University of Chicago, he now works at General Dentist in the Chicago suburbs. Athan has a love for the outdoors and athletics. Tennis, golf, and volleyball are amongst some of his regular activities. To escape the city, he enjoys being on the water or in the mountains and has discovered a love for fly fishing. Athan is eager to combine his passions to increase engagement in YAL through organized sports and activities throughout the year!
Allie Novick
Allie is from Schaumburg, IL and is an active member at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin, IL. In addition to being a founding board member for the St. Sophia YAL, she also teaches 1st grade Sunday School and is on the board for the Telos Gamma intuitive at St. Sophia. Allie is an occupational therapist for an early childhood center in Huntley. Traveling, eating dessert and watching movies are all things you can find Allie doing in her free time.
Ian Pappas
Ian is a consultant at Ernst & Young (EY) where he has focused on strategy for agriculture & technology companies. Within the Chicago Metropolis, Ian is a member of the Metropolis Junior Board, Metropolis Young Professionals Advisory Board & home parish of St. John the Baptist in Des Planes. Ian is a graduate of Northwestern University where he studied economics and organizational studies and serves on the Loyola Academy President's Leadership Council.
Zoe Wilkens
Zoe is from Bensenville, IL & attends Saint John the Baptist in Des Plaines. She is a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Finance. Zoe is currently a Business Relationship Manager at Key Mortgage Services and has been concentrating on obtaining her mortgage advising license as well as breaking into the real estate development field. She has served for a year on her parish’s YAL board at St John’s & looks forward to continuing her efforts with YAL Chicago. She is also currently a board member of Toy Run Chicago, a charity organization that collects car donations through car show events for sick/displaced children in the Chicagoland area. In her free time you can find Zoe at the gym, at car meets, or traveling the coasts of Florida.