Elena Skardis Saviolakis
32, Executive Director, Daughters of Penelope
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Saviolakis is a servant at heart and a champion of her Greek heritage. Now in her eighth year as executive director of Daughters of Penelope, she promotes and cultivates Greek-American culture, and works with the U.S. government and Greek government to do the same. She’s especially proud of her experience representing the association at the Greek Independence Day celebration in Washington, D.C., at the White House and meeting President Barack Obama. The meaning she finds in her work crosses into her personal life, as she volunteers time outside the office to other causes like raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, serving at Martha’s Table and supporting cancer and autism research. Hard work and reaching her goals have always been a part of Saviolakis’ life: While she pursued her undergraduate degree at The American College of Greece in Athens, she played on a professional women’s soccer team. Saviolakis also received her MBA last year from George Washington University.
