Our Story
The inspiration for PhilotimoNOW began in 2014 when I first watched The Washington Oxi Day Foundation’s compelling video, “The Greek Secret.” That moment was transformative. As a Greek American, it deepened my understanding of the profound connection between faith, purpose, and service; a connection that ultimately led to the founding of this initiative.
At the heart of PhilotimoNOW lies a guiding principle: As an organization, we believe that each of us is called by God to embody the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This belief mirrors the wisdom of ancient Greek philosophers, who expressed these virtues through the concept of Philotimo, a deep sense of honor, duty, and selflessness in service to others.
Through strategic partnerships and dedicated grassroots efforts, PhilotimoNOW is committed to revitalizing Greek communities, empowering individuals, and creating sustainable opportunities. Our work is as much about preserving heritage as it is about ensuring a vibrant, thriving future for Greece by investing in its people.
Warmest regards,
Athena S. Michael, Founder and Executive Director
Our Philosophy
Our mission is both urgent and clear— to combat Greece’s brain drain by fostering thriving global connections, strong communities, and educational opportunities.
Mission
PhilotimoNOW is a nonprofit organization rooted in the ancient Greek philosophy of Philotimo. We are dedicated to fostering global connections, community, and literacy—one Greek village at a time—while reversing brain drain and promoting 'rebrain' through philanthropic projects and services.
Vision
We provide Greek villages with the development of literacy projects that encourage rebrain by partnering with local government agencies, universities, regional public libraries, and schools.
Values
Our values reflect the ancient Greek philosophy of Philotimo, a commitment to service to humankind. Our core values guide our mission to bring literacy to remote areas of Greece:
Duty & Moral Obligation – We believe in the responsibility to uplift communities through education.
Honor & Integrity – Our actions are rooted in honesty, respect, and ethical service.
Pride– We take great pride in preserving and promoting Greek heritage through literacy.
Courage – We face challenges with resilience, ensuring knowledge reaches even the most remote regions.
These tenets remain steadfast as the foundation for PhilotimoNOW as it navigates the waters of the Mediterranean and the rugged mountainous terrain of Hellas to bring literacy to remote areas of Greece.
Watch “The Greek Secret” courtesy of The OXI Day Foundation
Our Team
PhilotimoNow’s team is composed of committed global educators who value literacy and libraries to promote social change.
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Athena Michael returns to her first love—Librarianship— as founder of PhilotimoNOW following nearly 40 years of dedication to the library profession. She has worked for industry leaders such as John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Ingram Industries, EBSCO Industries, and Simon & Schuster. She also promoted global literacy through leadership roles in the American Library Association and international organizations supporting libraries in developing countries.
Dr. Michael earned an Ed.D. from Shenandoah University in 2011 focusing on “Collaborative Librarianship: The Combined School-Public Library Model and Community Literacy.” Her career began as a librarian at the Handley Regional Library (Winchester, Virginia) in 1988, and she later earned her MLIS from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a professional certificate in Book Publishing from the University of Virginia’s Publishing & Communications Institute and a B.A. Cum Laude in Classical Civilizations with a minor in Economics and Business from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, where she participated in archeological excavations during the summers of 1980–1982 with the first seasons of the Agora Excavations (American School of Classical Studies).
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Dr. Cathy Loranger brings decades of nonprofit and for-profit public relations and communications management expertise to the PhilotimoNOW board. Her career spans public relations, strategic planning, project management, and marketing communications leadership and practice for a variety of organizations. She teaches at the collegiate level in the areas of public relations, strategic communications, and advanced management theory, and has participated in Global Experiential Learning study-abroad programs.
She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Shenandoah University, a M.S. in Communications Management from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in English and Mass Communications from Eastern Nazarene College.
Cathy served as President of the College Communicators Association of Virginia and Washington, D.C. (2008–2010) and earned professional accreditation (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.
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Ann Coverstone oversees PhilotimoNOW’s financial health, ensuring transparency and responsible stewardship of resources. She manages budgeting, financial planning, and reporting while monitoring cash flow and compliance with financial regulations. Her insights help guide sustainable growth and funding allocation for the organization’s programs.
In addition to her 30-year management and finance career as the owner of a UPS Franchise in Winchester, Virginia, Ann also brings a background in social work. She serves as an active member of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Winchester, Virginia.
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Shuyong Jiang leads PhilotimoNOW’s grant-seeking efforts, identifying and securing funding opportunities from government agencies, private foundations, and corporate sponsors. She develops compelling, competitive grant proposals and ensures compliance while tracking funding outcomes, helping to expand the organization’s impact.
Dr. Jiang, an associate professor emerita at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a researcher and advocate for international and global librarianship. As an academic librarian, she has spearheaded numerous large-scale projects and programs focused on library exchange and collaboration. She has also served on various committees with the American Library Association.
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Aspacia Coverstone leads PhilotimoNOW’s digital strategy, ensuring the organization’s IT systems, website, and digital tools effectively support operations and outreach. She ensures cybersecurity, data integrity, and efficient online communication platforms foster seamless collaboration among board members, volunteers, and program participants.
A digital media professional, Aspacia brings expertise in digital marketing, website design, and UX design across various industries. Her passion for leveraging design and technology to connect people has helped numerous organizations tell their stories in meaningful and impactful ways.
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Evania Sempeles serves as board secretary and leads PhilotimoNOW’s research initiatives, accessing program effectiveness and impact.
As Secretary, Evania manages board records, meeting documentation, and communication efforts, fostering transparency and engagement with stakeholders and the broader community.
In her research role, she gathers data, conducts studies, and applies best practices in literacy and education to inform strategic decisions. Her work ensures the organization’s efforts are data-driven and continuously improving.
A passionate scientist in reproductive medicine, Evania combines curiosity with modern insights. Her deep love for learning and technology is matched by a commitment to inspiring and empowering future generations through knowledge and discovery.
OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Stella Bompotsiari, Greek Online School
Olga Bourani, Mayor, Diavolitsi, Greece
Maria Boyer, Philotichos Board USA
Rania Panagopoulou, Greek Artist
Arietta Papaioannou, University of Ioannina
Colby Smith, Freelance Graphic Designer
Financial Stewardship at PhilotimoNOW
Our financial stewardship is guided by the timeless principles of Philotimo—honor, duty, and service to humankind.
We are committed to transparency and integrity in managing resources, ensuring that every contribution directly supports our mission to bring literacy to remote areas of Greece. We uphold the highest ethical standards and reporting to maximize our impact while preserving and promoting Greek heritage through education.
PhilotimoNOW is a philanthropic organization (501c3).