Administration
Welcome to the Administration page of the Mycenaean Foundation, where you will find essential information about the dedicated team leading our organization in the pursuit of archaeological excellence and cultural preservation. Our administration plays a crucial role in advancing our mission to study, protect, and promote the rich heritage of the Mycenaean civilization and ancient Greece.
The administration is composed of a diverse team of professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from various fields, including archaeology, history, education, and public engagement. Together, they work to create and implement programs that enhance research opportunities, promote public understanding of ancient Greek heritage, and support the next generation of archaeologists.
Our team is dedicated to establishing partnerships with esteemed universities and institutions worldwide, facilitating collaborative research projects, and developing educational programs that provide hands-on experience and professional development for students. Through these efforts, we aim to bridge the gap between academia and the public, ensuring that the significance of our archaeological work resonates far beyond the academic sphere.
On this page, you can learn more about our leadership, administrative structure, and the key initiatives that drive our mission forward. We invite you to explore the dedicated efforts of our administration as we work to preserve the legacy of the Mycenaean civilization and inspire a deeper appreciation for ancient Greek history among diverse audiences.
Board of Directors
President (5th): Prof. Christofilis Maggidis
Professor Christofilis Maggidis holds a B.A. in History and Archaeology from the University of Athens (1988) and a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania (1994), along with postdoctoral studies at Brown University (1997-1999). He is a former Chr. Roberts Chair Associate Professor of Archaeology at Dickinson College, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Archaeology and designing its curriculum. With extensive field experience since 1985 at various significant archaeological sites, Professor Maggidis is currently the Field Director of the Lower Town Excavation at Mycenae and the Spercheios Valley Archaeological Project. His research focuses on Aegean Prehistory, particularly Minoan and Mycenaean pottery and architecture, and he has contributed numerous articles and books to the field. Since 2013, he has served as the President of the Mycenaean Foundation, leading efforts to enhance educational programs and research initiatives while renovating the foundation’s facilities in Mycenae.
Vice-President: Prof. Maria Anastassiathe
Professor Maria Anastassiathe holds a B.A. in History from the University of Athens (1988) and an M.A. in Ancient Greek from Bryn Mawr College (1997). She has served as an Adjunct Professor of Modern Greek Language and Literature at Dickinson College (2002-2020) and Brown University (1998-2001). Currently, she is the Vice-President of the Mycenaean Foundation and Director of the Melathron American Center for Archaeology at Mycenae since 2018. Born in Greece, Molly received a comprehensive classical education and numerous honors for her academic achievements. In addition to her university teaching, she has experience teaching Ancient and Modern Greek, Latin, and Ancient History at a public high school in Athens. Her research interests center on Modern Greek Language and Literature, alongside Ancient Greek History and Classics, and she has delivered invited lectures and conference papers on teaching Greek as a foreign language.
Past Presidents of the Board of Directors
4th President (2001-2013): Prof. Philip Betancourt
Professor Philip Betancourt earned his Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. He is a prominent American archaeologist and author specializing in the Aegean Bronze Age, particularly the art and culture of the Minoans. Betancourt served as the Laura H. Carnell Professor of Art History and Archaeology at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Graduate Group in the Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World. Additionally, he directed the Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP). He has authored over 20 books and numerous articles focused on the prehistoric periods of Greece and has received several prestigious honors, including an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Athens and the Archaeological Institute of America’s gold medal for lifetime achievement in archaeology. In 2007, he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
3rd President (1997-2001): Dr. Malcolm Wiener
Dr. Malcolm Wiener graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1957 with a B.A., served as an Ensign/Lieutenant (jg) in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1960, and earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1963. He practiced law in international, corporate, and non-profit sectors from 1963 to 1970, serving as General Counsel for the Archaeological Institute of America from 1968 to 1976 and advising the U.S. Department of State on the International Convention on Illicit Traffic in Antiquities. Wiener transitioned to investment management, holding prominent positions including Chairman of The Millburn Corporation from 1977 to 1997. He co-founded the New York Aegean Bronze Age Colloquium in 1974, and established the Institute for Aegean Prehistory in 1981, along with its Study Center for East Crete in 1995. Additionally, he founded the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at Harvard Kennedy School in 1989 and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens from 2012 to 2016. Wiener has received multiple honorary degrees, including Litt.D. from the University of Sheffield and Ph.D. from Eberhard-Karl University, and has been recognized as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has authored numerous archaeological publications and delivered lectures at esteemed institutions globally. Throughout his distinguished career, Wiener has received several prestigious awards, including the Bandelier Award for Public Service to Archaeology in 2013 and the Gold Cross of the Order of Honor from Greece in 2014.
2nd President (1996-1997): Mrs. Patricia Hecker
Mrs. Patricia Hecker graduated cum laude from Vassar College in 1944 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and earned a Master’s Degree in Arts in Archaeology from Washington University in 1968. She was a dedicated philanthropist and community volunteer
Born on March 18, 1923, she attended Community and John Burroughs Schools and later taught drama at John Burroughs from 1945 to 1949. Throughout her life, she actively contributed to numerous organizations, serving on the Board of Trustees for Community School and as the first president of its Alumni Board. Mrs. Hecker was involved with the Archaeological Society of St. Louis, the Junior League of St. Louis, and held leadership positions with the Decorative Arts and Beaux Arts Societies of the St. Louis Art Museum. Notably, she was the first female Commissioner of the St. Louis Zoo from 1980 to 1983 and organized its travel program as a member of the Friends Board. Additionally, she co-chaired archaeological trips to Greece and was a founding member and President of the Mycenaean Foundation, where she also participated in excavations. Patty was a life member of the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and served on its Board of Directors since 1983. Alongside her late husband, she created 25 nature films from their extensive travels, which she used for educational purposes in local schools.
1st President (1967-1996): Dr. Betty Grossman
Dr. Betty Grossman graduated from Vassar College and earned both her master’s degree and doctorate from Washington University. An accomplished archaeologist, she dedicated 39 years of her life to teaching art in the education department at the St. Louis Art Museum until her retirement in the mid-1970s. Dr. Grossman was recognized as an honorary citizen of Mycenae, Greece, reflecting her deep engagement with the region’s cultural heritage. Her leadership roles included serving as past president of the Mycenaean Foundation, the Campbell House, and the Archaeological Institute of America. Additionally, she was a former director of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, where she fostered academic exchange and collaboration in the field of archaeology. Passionate about education and cultural exploration, she led numerous tours to Greece and its surrounding areas during her summer vacations, sharing her expertise with others. Dr. Grossman was actively involved in various arts organizations, including the American Federation of Arts, the College Arts Association, and the National Society of Arts and Letters, contributing to the advancement of arts education and appreciation.
Advisory Board
Dr. Dimitrios Sinachopoulos
Dimitris Sinachopoulos obtained his BSc in Mathematics from the University of Athens in 1975 and his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Vienna in 1983. He began his career as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sternwarte Bonn (Observatory of the University of Bonn, Germany) from 1984 to 1988, followed by a position as a TMR researcher (Marie Curie fellow) at the Royal Observatory of Belgium from 1989 to 1992. He continued his research at the Royal Observatory of Belgium until 1998 and served as a guest researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics in Potsdam, Germany, in 2002. Since 1990, he has held guest professorships at various institutions, including the Observatoire de Bordeaux in France, South Africa University, and the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Sinachopoulos has also been a visiting observer at several observatories in Chile, the Canary Islands, Southern Spain, France, and South Africa since 1985. He joined the Institute for Astronomy of the National Observatory of Athens as a Senior Researcher and retired in 2018.
Nikos Stavrogiannis
Nikos Stavrogiannis studied Political and Economic Sciences at Panteion University in Athens and holds a degree in Physical Education and Sports from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Before his election as a Member of Parliament, he worked as an economist and a business consultant specializing in Economic Strategy and Management, and he also has experience as a political scientist. He is proficient in English. Stavrogiannis was first elected as a parliamentarian with the New Democracy party in the 2004 elections and was re-elected in 2007. He successfully retained his seat in the National Elections of 2012 (May and June) with the same party. However, on October 21, 2012, he was expelled from the New Democracy parliamentary group due to his intention to vote against new measures proposed by the Samaras coalition government. On March 21, 2013, along with Christos Zois and other former members of AN.EL, he founded a new political party named New Reform Radical Reconstruction. On August 26, 2014, Stavrogiannis resigned from his parliamentary position to become the Mayor of Lamia, after which his seat returned to the New Democracy party and was succeeded by Dimitris Brianis.
Prof. Grigorios Tsokas
Professor Grigorios Tsokas earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1979, a Master of Science in Earth Sciences from the University of Leeds in 1980, and a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1985. He has held several positions, including visiting professor at the Colorado School of Mines and visiting researcher at the University of York. Since 1989, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised numerous theses, and contributed to the education of students in laboratory and field exercises. His research focuses on developing geophysical methods for subsurface exploration, archaeological site mapping, and crustal studies in Greece. Tsokas has participated in about 150 research projects, primarily as a scientific supervisor, and has presented at approximately 140 national and international conferences. He has conducted geophysical explorations at various archaeological sites in Greece and abroad, including significant locations like the Acropolis of Athens and ancient ruins in Cyprus, Italy, and Egypt.
Garry Pratt
Garry Pratt holds a Master’s degree and has served as a Research Fellow at the University of Bristol. In his 50s, he was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Teaching Fellow in Entrepreneurship at the University of Bath. In his 40s, he scaled and sold Teachit, an early innovator in online education, and managed a boutique management consultancy. During his 30s, he co-founded a chain of 42 specialist cookshops and co-established Teachit. In his 20s, he was Director of International Advertising for a $1.5 billion U.S. company, overseeing a sales operation generating over $50 million in revenue. Currently, Garry is the Chief Commercial Officer at Earswitch, a Future of Work Consultant at T-CUP Studios, and Executive Chairman of Kinderly. He is also the author of “The Creativity Factor,” a book that explores the importance of creativity in business success and how outdoor experiences can enhance creative potential