There are 1200 US Citizens in Greece that are members of DAGR! That makes it challenging to know everyone! Below are the candidates who have submitted profiles and have been nominated or volunteered to serve for the 2025 – 2026 Leadership. Candidates were asked to provide a photo, a brief biography as well as a statement about serving.
A link to the ballot will go out on Friday, January 17. Ballots will need to be submitted electronically between then and noon on the day of our Democrats Abroad Greece 2025 General Meeting, Wednesday, January 29. Our annual meeting will be a hybrid meeting allowing members to attend in person and online at 6 pm. The Demos Center in central Athens is the place on January 29th. A zoom link will be provided with the ballot in order for those who cannot make it in person to attend online.
Greece Country Chair: Alkman Granitsas
I would like to salute the efforts of my fellow Democrats here in Greece. Last year, the U.S. held one of the most consequential elections in its history. Even though our candidate for president did not win, DAGR registered a record number of voters and drew in dozens of new members.
Ahead of us, may be one of the most challenging periods America has ever faced. As consequential as last year’s elections may have been, the next elections – first, for Congress in 2026 and again for president in 2028 – may be even more consequential. And for us Democrats abroad, there are several issues looming that may have a direct impact on our community.
I am honored to be nominated as the next Chair of the DA Greece Country Committee. I have been a member of DAGR for several years, but this past year, I served as Press Coordinator. I worked closely with current Chair Brady Kiesling, Communications Chair Karen Lee, and other members of the Executive Committee, to get our message out across Greece.
My professional experience is in communications and business. For three decades, I have worked as a communications consultant and journalist, including twenty years here in Greece. I am the founder of Kyklos Associates, a PR and marketing consultancy based in Athens, and before that I served as Greece & Cyprus Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. Other jobs have included stints at major media outlets like CNN, CNBC, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. I have worked in Asia, Europe and North America.
I was born in New York City, which is where I vote. But I spent many years in Washington, DC, first as a student of international economics and business at Georgetown University and later as a young reporter, and I consider Washington, DC my second home.
I have a vision: to build on DAGR’s strong base and cement Greece as a solidly blue district in the electoral map of overseas Americans. There are tens of thousands of U.S. citizens already living in Greece, with more coming each month. And we’ve learned in the last two election cycles that just a handful of overseas votes can make a mighty difference.
Collectively, we should work together to bring in new members, expand volunteer activities, host new events, enhance our communications, raise funds and upgrade our technology systems. But I would like to ask for your help: from everyone, even just a little bit. We have a lot of work to do and a mission to fulfill.
Greece Country Vice Chair: Karen Lee
The vice chair supports the chair, sharing time, knowledge and skill sets for both country and global activities. I bring nearly 20 years’ experience at both levels of Dems Abroad, as well as a commitment to mentoring the next vice chair. Ideally, I serve this term and then step back for a new, fully informed vice chair ready to move in for that crucial 2-year presidential cycle. My years volunteering both in DAGR and DA global activities should serve well.
A native Ohioan, OH voter and OSU graduate, I have been active in the DAGR Country Committee since 2005, as:* Issues chairperson (2005-6) * Global Primary, Election Watch planning/volunteer (2008 & 2016) * Inaugural Celebration volunteer recruiter/coordinator (2009) * Nominating Committee/ballot drafting, Bylaws revision committee (2009-10) * Independence Day events volunteer, planning (2010-2019) * Member Survey, assisted design, Athens Chapter (2010) * International By-laws Revision, DAGR drafting committee (2011) * GOTV phone bank, registration table, planning committee (2010-2020) * Newsletter/news-page contributor (2014 to present) * ExCom, At-Large Representative (2013-2015) * DAGR Chair, completion of DAGR’s Greek non-profit tax status (2015-2019) * Fundraising chair (2019) * Communications chair (2020-2025) * DAGR Secretary (2021-2023)
At the international-regional level (DPCA-EMEA): * DA global Grassroots Organizing Survey Committee (2006-7) * Attended DPCA AGM, voted DAGR proxy, co-presented GOSC findings, Heidelberg (2007) * Attended EMEA regional AGM, Berlin (2010) to promote DAGR re-recognition * Presented DAGR activity, EMEA meeting (2015), Edinburgh * Certified for GR database and email facilities, DA website, WebEx host * Attended DPCA AGM via Webex (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021), DA Global Convention (2016) * EMEA monthly regional conference calls (2015-2022) * Digitized DAGR Art Auction for online bids, EMEA regional meeting, Athens (2019) * DA Global Black Caucus, founding steering committee (2017-2021) * DA Global Seniors Caucus steering committee (2021-present) * DA Global ECCC, environmental caucus ‘Watchdogs’ research committee (2021-present) * Co-lead DA Ohio Team (2021-present).
Secretary: Jan Sanders
Born and raised along the Massachusetts coast, I am a life-long Democrat from a family of Republican uncles who thought my father was mad for sending his daughters to college. As they feared, college opened a new world to me, one where different points of view were possible and disagreement with the status quo was not only allowed but encouraged. This new world also included Greece where I arrived as a student in 1976. Joining an archaeological excavation on Melos that summer, I found much more than ancient things; Guy and I have been together 45 years, 35 of them in Greece living and working between urban Athens and the countryside in Ancient Corinth.
My professional life was in international education, as faculty and Director of Arcadia University's College of Global Studies center in Athens. Covid closed the program and ended my work life. Since then I have been happily involved in any number of things including acting as secretary of Democrats Abroad Greece from 2022. I am happy to continue in that role for another term.
Treasurer: Marion A. Kavallieros
Marion Kavallieros was born in 1964 in Boston, MA. She holds a BA in English from the University of Athens and an MA in Education from Boston University. She has worked as an English instructor and translator in multicultural settings. Marion has exhibited a keen interest in politics and is committed to democratic values. She joined the women's movement at 18 and has served as an elected member in various women's organizations and committees among which is University Women of Greece. Marion is a Massachusetts voter.
Marion has served as treasurer from 2023 through 2025 as well as Athens Chapter Chair and Athens Chapter Representative for Democrats Abroad Greece since 2015. She is a hard worker and has gained a reputation among DAGR leaders as the one who keeps meticulous notes, a boon for the account keeping role. Marion has always gone the extra mile and isn’t afraid to pitch in when work needs doing. Her enthusiasm and creativity lend themselves to events and projects that help our members abroad activate, engage and elect Democrats.
Counsel: Randall Warner
Randall Warner joined Democrats Abroad Greece in 2008, became Thessaloniki Chapter Representative in 2019-2020, and was Thessaloniki Chapter Chair in 2021-2022 and 2023-2024. She votes Democratic in the Eighth District of New Jersey.
Randall invites US and dual citizens into the dynamic of the Democrats Abroad Greece organization, encouraging them to join the community of fellow DAGR members, and volunteer their efforts to the hard work ahead for a Democratic Party victory in the House and Senate, as well as in state and local races, in the 2026 midterm elections. How? Read, react, and contribute to Karen Lee’s Newsletter, the outstanding source of critical information and opinion for DAGR members. Participate in a broad array of country, regional, and international online meetings and events. Make sure one’s own voter registration is up to date, and facilitate relatives, friends and other US citizens in completing their voter registrations in their home states.
What are the benefits? Sharpening awareness of US politics. Engaging with political and social issues that concern you the most. Taking pleasure in the sense of community with other Americans living overseas. Volunteering time to help others you know to strengthen US democracy with their vote – in the same way you do.
Randall studied Classics at Swarthmore College and, after working as library cataloguer at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington D.C., pursued a career in publishing. She brought the English translation of Odysseus Elytis’ poetry collection titled Maria Nefeli to Houghton Mifflin Company; and was responsible for the publication launch by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. of The Path to Power, the first book In Robert Caro’s multi-volume biography of Lyndon B. Johnson.
She was Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs at Harper’s Magazine under Editor Lewis Lapham and Publisher John R. MacArthur, before making the life decision to accept a volunteer position in Thessaloniki and move to Greece with her husband, painter Barry Feldman, and their son, future actor Tasso Feldman. Since retiring from her position as Communications Director following 25 years of engagement at the American Farm School, she enjoys the slower rhythms of being a freelance book editor and art agent.
At Large Chapter Chair: Gina Billy
Hello Democrats Abroad Greece members! I’ve just celebrated my 30th year of being an immigrant to Europe (first Germany, later Greece.) Professionally, I’m a free-lance writer, translator (German to English), editor, and English teacher who lives near the Lentas area of southern Crete on the Libyan Sea.
I’m a huge believer in grassroots initiatives. On Crete, I serve as the communications officer and am active in fundraising for the Association of Volunteer Firefighters and Environmental Protection, Asterousia, and am a founding member and leader in its projects, “CREaTE GREEN LENTAS “(https://www.lentas-online.com/en/environment/create-green.html) and “Water is Life (www.water-is-life.eu)
Politically, I was always officially an independent who generally voted for Dem candidates. I finally joined the Dem party during the “Bush 2” administration. The dark days of the 45th presidency prompted me to join DAGR and during the (virtual) DAGR annual meeting in 2020, I decided to become more active and volunteered to work with the Communications Committee. I was honored to be elected as the DAGR Representative At-Large at the 2023 Annual meeting and in mid-2024, our Executive Committee “promoted” me to head the newly created At-Large Chapter as its Chair. I am especially committed to doing what I can to encourage all our members to vote and increase connections between DAGR members – especially those who live beyond the cosmopolitan hubs of Athens and Thessaloniki.
To that end, it would be a pleasure and an honor to continue working in that capacity for the next two years. My two main goals during that time would be: Getting out the votes from abroad from our At-Large members for the 2026 Mid-term elections and community-building amongst members via virtual meet-ups and events (such as our established Kafeneion series and “virtual voltas” and perhaps in the form of a special bi-monthly newsletter to this group.
Erin McGrew: At-Large Representative
Greetings, Democrats Abroad Greece members. My name is Erin McGrew and I have been a member of Democrats Abroad since I moved to Greece in 2021 with my husband.
We currently live in a small village outside of Arta, in my husband’s childhood home. We have an organic citrus farm and I also teach English in Ioannina, Greece. Along with lots of lemons, we currently have seven dogs and two cats, most of whom have decided to join us by showing up on our farm and deciding they didn’t want to leave.
I was born in Lafayette, Indiana, but moved every three years as a child, splitting my time between Indiana, Michigan, and New York. My father worked for General Motors and I developed a strong appreciation for unions as a child, which initially helped shape my political leanings. In fifth grade, I won a writing contest in my school and got to go around to all the classrooms pretending to be Bill Clinton and sharing why all my classmates should vote for “me.” I have been hooked on politics ever since.
I attended Indiana University as an Army ROTC cadet and received my degree in Criminal Justice. Immediately after graduation, I began my military service as an Intelligence Officer in Darmstadt, Germany. While I was deployed for a year to Kabul, Afghanistan, I met my husband, who was working for NATO. My time in Europe and on deployment continued to shape my view of the world and of the United States. I found myself becoming more progressive as the years went on.
When the Greek economy collapsed, my husband and I made the decision to return to the United States. I became very involved in local politics and served for three years as the secretary of an Indianapolis-based Democrat club. I participated in phone and letter drives and knocked on countless doors for President Obama, Hilary Clinton, President Biden, and all the good folks running down ballot in our very red state.
I am interested in continuing to do my part to get Democrats elected by serving as an Area Member Representative on the Democrats Abroad Greece leadership team. I believe that we are in a very precarious situation as a nation and I am not ready to see it go down without a fight.
Athens Chapter Chair: Nikki Fellouris
I was born and raised in New Bedford, MA., but have lived in Athens since 1983. I have a BA in Psychology from Wellesley College and an MBA in Marketing from N.Y.U. and spent most of my career working in the fields of advertising and marketing. I have had two children since living here, both of whom spend their time traveling and living between the U.S. and Greece, as do many of us.
As a Greek-American, I grew up coming to Greece in the summers (to visit Yiayia!) and knew the language well by the time I moved here permanently. I joined Democrats Abroad several years ago, as some of my friends were already members. I have acted as Events Chair for the past 8 years and have enjoyed organizing 4th of July lunches, Christmas dinners, Debate Night gatherings (there were several in 2016 where we watched Trump vs. Clinton), Election Night dinner at the Caravel Hotel, the Athens Women’s March, Democrats Abroad Regional EMEA meeting hosted in Athens after our winning bid, and other sundry events.
Democrats Abroad has been both a political and social gathering for me, where I get to join like-minded people for lively discussions and plans on how to increase our presence in Greece and think of ways to reach out to fellow U.S. citizens living here. I would like to continue these efforts as Athens Chapter Chair, working with a team of people that I have known and worked with well over the past years.
Athens Chapter Representative: John Brady Kiesling
I'm Brady Kiesling, an author, archaeologist/historian, and former U.S. diplomat living in Greece full time since 2004. I've tried to help build up the U.S. community in Greece through service in Democrats Abroad since 2008, most recently as Chair. I am happy to keep helping DAGR wherever I can to ensure that Americans in Greece can find friendly voices and voting help. As Athens Chapter Representative I will support regular gatherings like July 4 and happy hours, and be on the lookout for interesting speakers, excursions, and projects for members.
I vote in Houston, Texas. I'm married to Regina Tassitano, and we have an apartment in Kaisariani and three cats. My daughter Lydia is a novelist based in Portland, OR.
Thessaloniki Chapter Chair: Irem Tunc
I am honored to be considered for Thessaloniki Chapter Chair of Democrats Abroad. I am a first generation American, born to Turkish parents, and I grew up in the small town of Muncie, Indiana, though I vote in Houston, TX. In Indiana, I received both a Bachelors and Masters degree from Ball State University, and spent more than 10 years “living to work” in Corporate America. My husband, who is Greek, and I, made the decision to move here 3 years ago, and I am proud to call Thessaloniki home, even though my in-laws now live just one block away.
Though I have a lot of corporate experience jumping from sales to internal operational and finance management, I have only ever found myself “driven” when it comes to my volunteer work. Working with refugees in Houston, I was passionate about making everyone I met know that (despite what Texan politicians were saying) each person belonged and they mattered. I carry this passion with me today as I try to focus on expanding our outreach and building a larger inclusive and active community of Americans around Thessaloniki, who are committed to progressive values and meaningful political engagement as we navigate this uncertain future together.
I will close with one of my favorite quotes: "Nobody will be without a home as long as Thessaloniki exists” -Nikephoros Choumnos
Thessaloniki Chapter Representative: Linda Manney
I am a binational Greek / American, and I live in Thessaloniki with my husband, Yiorgos Kalogeras. I vote from abroad in the state of California.
I was raised with a strong sense of social justice, as my father was a member and staunch supporter of the United Auto Workers, and we were always aware of which party supported workers’ rights and which one did not.
After finishing my BA degree in English and Spanish from Ohio University, I went on to complete a MA degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), Arizona State University, and then a MA and PhD degree in Linguistics, University of California San Diego.
With this educational background, I have worked with great passion for most of my adult life as a linguist, a language teacher, a language researcher and a language editor, at a number of public and private institutions, in both the USA and Greece. Most recently, I worked at Pinewood American International School for 16 years in the Secondary English Department and the International Baccalaureate Program, and I also served as Co-Chair of the English Language and Literacy Committee for six years. As part of my duties on this committee, I researched, designed and implemented the Cross-Curricular Secondary Writing Program, which I oversaw until I retired from Pinewood in 2021. I was also an elected member of the Executive Board, TESOL Macedonia-Thrace, and served in the positions of Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer.
I first got involved with DAGR several years ago, when Peter Baiter invited the entire Pinewood faculty and staff to a Fourth of July party at his house. Both my husband Yiorgos and I had a great time meeting so many DAGR members, including Randall Warner and Barry Feldman. After going to a round of DAGR Thessaloniki social events over the following years, I started helping Randall Warner with local DAGR events, and I worked on the Phone Bank Committee. I have also worked with Karen Lee on the DAGR Newsletter as an occasional contributor. If I am elected to the ExCom Committee, I would be very happy to work with others on the team to help DAGR in any way that I can.
DPCA Voting Representative: Daniel Roberts
Daniel Roberts has lived in Thessaloniki, Greece full time since 2019, and has served as the 2nd At-Large representative on the DAGR Excom for the past two years. He votes in Florida. A veteran and Risk Manager by profession. Cat lover, and married to Francoise, also a cat lover. He graduated from Pinewood International High school in Thessaloniki, where he spent two years as a boarding student on the Anatolia campus.
DPCA Alt Representative: Sarajane Kidd Leone
Texas born and bred, Sarajane studied psychology and Italian before embarking on a research project in Italy. A chance encounter at an Italian train station would set the trajectory for her: 30+ years of shared life with a man from Napoli who she married several years later in Uganda. During their decade and a half in East Africa, aside from a short hiatus working for the UN, and short posts in New York and Washington, she dedicated her time to her weaving and design atelier, which catered to the East African safari/hotel industry and to private residence consultations. Hailing from a ranching family of West Texas, she was inspired by the familiar open, wild landscapes and colors of her childhood. Sarajane also served as Chairperson to Friends of the Arts of the International School of Kenya, cultivating dynamic local art talent and linking them with the expatriate community through art exhibitions and her work. In 2007, a move to Switzerland changed her course: she was still busy - but with three children, maintaining her artistic pursuits through community engagement, and leading the editorial team of the PTA publications of the International School of Geneva, La Chataigneraie.
Since landing in Greece in August 2014, Sarajane joined DAGR and launched the DAGR Women’s Caucus as the Working Chair. During this time she established the DAGR WC Facebook Interface, was a principal in helping to organize the first Women’s March Athens, created a dynamic program of outings, poetry readings, and a series of !Think Thursdays to discuss issues dear to DAGR WC members. Having left the DAGR WC leadership role in 2017 to serve on the board and subsequently as President of an international club, she remained active in volunteering through GOTV and with her artistic pursuits. Her initiatives of Pinatas and Lemonade have become a mainstay of the annual July 4th celebration, mobilizing small groups of volunteers and participants. After helping to organize the successful 2019 EMEA Art Auction Fundraiser and constructing the DAGR Mascot, she served on the current DAGR Executive Committee as an active Representative At-Large, initiating and coordinating the Kafeneion online discussion group. She served as Country Vice-Chair from 2023 until today.
She looks forward to helping DAGR to continue to reach their mandate.
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