When a Washington-based nonprofit that has spent nearly two decades convening global leaders decides to hold its first-ever symposium outside the United States, the choice of Athens signals more than a change of scenery — it marks a deliberate push to turn conversation into concrete cross-border cooperation. That is exactly what unfolded when WGES Global brought its invitation-only model to Greece in early October, and the aftermath is already taking shape in the form of draft agreements and collaborative projects.
WGES Global Athens 2026 Welcome Reception Hosted by Holy Synod (Cultural Center) of Church of Greece L to R Dr. Kostas Mastorakis, DVM, Ms. Daisy Gallagher, Mr. Petros Georgiou Project Manager Holy Synod Buildings, Dr. Ashish Joshi, Mr. Kevin Kampschroer
WGES Global NOVA Awards at NYN ESTI, L to R Evangelos Efkarpidis, Dr. Mastorakis, Prof. Zakynthinos, Dr. Joshi, Vicky Karnezi, Daisy Gallagher, Alexandra Papakonstantinou (Elder George Alveras), in front Dr. Kympouropoulos
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Invited to Athens, WGES Global marks 17 years with its first symposium outside the U.S., advancing joint initiatives and laying the groundwork for MOUs
“For 17 years, WGES Global has followed one tradition: we convene where invited and bring together people who can move ideas forward. It is about who is in the room.” — Professor Gallagher, Founder & President WGES Global, Inc. WASHINGTON DC, DC, UNITED STATES, October 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The symposium may have wrapped up, but the work has not slowed down. Institutions from Greece, the United States, and other countries have agreed in principle to pursue joint efforts in public health and sustainable development, with draft Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) now in the pipeline.
The October 6–8 symposium, held under the auspices of the City of Athens, marked WGES Global, Inc.’s first event outside U.S. borders since its 2009 founding. A number of emerging initiatives involve the University of West Attica (UNIWA) School of Public Health, which served as the Academic Partner. Specific projects and partner names will be released as final agreements are signed.
A 17-Year Legacy of International Collaboration
Since its inception in 2009, WGES Global has gathered leaders from government, academia, science, and industry through invitation-only events in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York. Its NOVA Awards have previously honored sustainability achievements from the City of Philadelphia, District of Columbia, Rio de Janeiro, U.S. General Services Administration, Drexel University, Dow, Tishman, Johnson Controls, and University of the District of Columbia CAUSES, among others.
“For 17 years, we have followed one tradition: we convene where invited and bring together people who can move ideas forward. It is about who is in the room,” said Professor Robert J. Gallagher, President and Executive Chairman of WGES Global, Inc. “Athens was a true exchange. We shared our expertise and learned from our Greek hosts and international colleagues. What matters now are the relationships, MOUs and projects that will make a difference in communities.”
International Experts Exchange Knowledge and Solutions
The October 7 Executive Master Classes, held at the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), brought together specialists spanning sustainability and public health fields. Dr. Vassilia I. Orfanou, Global Chief Operating & Innovation Officer of LUDCI, served as official moderator, while Saia Tsaousidou, President of the Greek Section of the Association of European Journalists, conducted media interviews.
Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean and Distinguished University Professor at the University of Memphis School of Public Health, introduced SMAART, his population-health informatics framework, along with Public Health Clubs established in 12 Memphis-area high schools and internationally. Yiannis Kalofissoudis, Group Director of Quality Management Systems, Clinical Effectiveness & Sustainability at Athens Medical Group, presented on sustainable healthcare practices and clinical quality initiatives.
Healthy-building specialists Kevin Kampschroer, retired Chief Sustainability Officer at the U.S. General Services Administration; Kinga Porst Hydras, NORESCO Deputy Director of Federal Programs and ASHRAE Fellow; and Alkis Triantafyllopoulos, Menerga Hellas Head of Engineering and Principal ASHRAE Trainer for Greece, addressed healthy indoor environments, building modernization, and energy efficiency.
Geospatial experts Barbara J. Ryan, former Director of the Group on Earth Observations Secretariat; Vince Ambrosia, NASA Applied Sciences Program wildfire specialist; and Dr. Ioannis Gitas, Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, explored wildfire detection, Earth observation, disaster preparedness, and international data sharing.
Dr. Sabine O’Hara, Distinguished Professor and Founding Dean of the University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), presented via video the innovations from its 143-acre Firebird Research Farm, which is advancing sustainable urban agriculture. George Litsas, Founder and CEO of GLP Group, demonstrated the connection between sustainable design and wellbeing through ROI House, a newly completed Athens boutique retreat integrating sustainable construction, feng shui, and wellness facilities.
Dr. Reynaldo Santana presented a video on his company’s automated 3D-printed construction technologies supporting affordable, sustainable infrastructure, defense, and mission-critical applications.
On October 8, UNIWA School of Public Health faculty continued the academic exchange, covering public health, food systems, energy, water stewardship, and workforce development. Professor Georgios I. Zakynthinos, WGES Global Academic Coordinator, moderated the livestreamed academic sessions.
From Conversation to Collaboration
Discussions initiated before, during, and after the symposium are moving forward on potential research, education, technology, and sustainable-development partnerships. Participating institutions are exploring defined projects and MOUs, subject to institutional approval.
WGES Global NOVA Awards Honor International Leadership
The October 7 NOVA Awards ceremony at NYN ESTI recognized contributions to sustainability, public health, and resilient communities. Honorees included La Nazionale Piloti, Dr. Stelios Kympouropoulos, and Dr. Ashish Joshi. Father (Elder) George Alevras, named a NOVA honoree in 2022, received his award through a representative in Athens.
The ceremony was co-hosted by Ms. Daisy Gallagher, Chairwoman of Gallagher & Gallagher Worldwide, Inc. and WGES Global U.S.–Greece Organizing Lead, and Dr. Kostas Mastorakis, DVM, WGES Global Athens Ambassador, President of Safe-Drive.org, and Vice President of La Nazionale Piloti.
Musical performances featured acclaimed Greek recording artist and celebrated vocalist Vicky Karnezi alongside award-winning pianist Vangelis Vasileiou.
With Gratitude to Athens
WGES Global extends sincere appreciation to the City of Athens; UNIWA School of Public Health; Safe-Drive.org; La Nazionale Piloti; the Cultural Center of the Church of Greece and Holy Synod, hosts of the welcome reception; EMST; and NYN ESTI. Special thanks go to Dr. Kostas Mastorakis; Professor Georgios I. Zakynthinos; Nikoletta Anagnostopoulou Bakalarou; Nicole Nikolaou; Dr. Vassilia I. Orfanou and LUDCI; Saia Tsaousidou; Demetris Kannavos and Hellenic Media Group; Anestis Geronikolakis and TODAY PRESS; all Greek and European media partners; all speakers, organizers, partners, and supporters listed on the wgesglobal.com website; and Lori Gallagher, Project Manager.
Looking Ahead
Follow-up meetings and prospective MOUs are now being formulated. Invitations for hosting WGES Global 2027 and 2028 have already come in, with future locations and dates under evaluation and set to be posted on the wgesglobal.com website.
About WGES Global, Inc.
Founded in 2009, WGES Global, Inc. is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization convening leaders from academia, government, science, and industry with a history of testimonies on results. WGES Global transforms knowledge exchange into practical collaboration while supporting sustainability, public health, and economic development. www.wgesglobal.com
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Why it matters: The shift from a U.S.-centric gathering to an international one underscores a growing recognition that global health and environmental challenges require cross-border institutional commitments, not just conferences. The draft MOUs emerging from Athens could set a template for how nonprofits leverage convening power into lasting, measurable partnerships.
