On July 1, 2025, John D. Saracakis, Executive Chairman of Saracakis Group, was elected President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, assuming the new role at a pivotal time for the Chamber and Greece. In this interview to Business Partners, he shares his vision for AmCham Greece and his commitment to harnessing the spirit of collaboration and building on the Chamber’s rich legacy. From supporting and empowering members, and including and amplifying young voices, to strengthening Greece-US ties and promoting Greek business in the United States, he reflects on navigating—and thriving in—an uncertain international environment that is both challenging and full of opportunities.
You’re taking the helm at a time of great opportunity and promise for the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, not least with its expansion across the Atlantic. Looking to the future, what is your vision for the Chamber?
First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of my predecessor, Nikolaos Bakatselos, and his Board of Directors, who guided the Chamber with dedication during a period of both challenges and opportunities. I also want to highlight the invaluable role of our sectoral committees, who constitute the backbone of the Chamber’s expertise, and of our dedicated staff, under the guidance of Executive Director Elias Spirtounias. Their commitment is the foundation on which we will continue to build.
AmCham Greece has a proud legacy, and it is up to us not only to honor and uphold it but also to build on and enhance it. We must redefine the Chamber’s role for the future. Greece stands at a pivotal moment of opportunity today, with international confidence and investment returning in strength. I aim to position AmCham Greece as the most proactive, trusted, and innovative transatlantic partner: one that connects businesses, governments, and societies in ways that unlock shared growth and opportunity.
AmCham Greece is one brilliant team—and we are stronger together
You have frequently spoken about the importance of bringing Chamber members closer together and giving them a stronger voice. How do you plan to deliver on this?
Leadership works in two directions: listening and leading. One of my immediate goals is to strengthen our internal community by giving members more direct ways to shape the Chamber’s agenda. This means creating forums where their voices are heard, building initiatives together, and reinforcing the sense that AmCham Greece is one brilliant team, and we are stronger together. When members feel ownership of the Chamber, our collective impact is multiplied.
AmCham Greece members represent a diverse range of economic fields and business types across sectors and industries on both sides of the Atlantic. How do you see their role shaping the Chamber’s agenda in the coming years?
Our members are the Chamber’s greatest strength. They represent key sectors driving growth and embody both our rich heritage and promising future. Many are major US companies with decades-long commitments to Greece, driving innovation and making substantial contributions to the country’s development and competitiveness. Alongside them stand numerous Greek companies, ranging from well-established businesses seeking to expand further into the US market to bold startups with global ambitions.
For AmCham Greece, the priority is to support members in ways that maximize their impact, not only by creating stronger transatlantic ties but also by ensuring they are part of Greece’s broader growth agenda. This means partnering and collaborating with other business associations, sectoral bodies, and the state to advocate for reforms and conditions that enable our members to thrive. AmCham Greece must serve as a catalyst for change, acting as the interface between business and government to drive competitiveness, transparency, and sustainable growth.
AmCham Greece must be a trusted transatlantic partner that connects businesses, governments, and societies in ways that unlock shared growth and opportunity
Endeavoring to adapt to the rapidly evolving global business landscape and conform to new regulatory demands can put considerable pressure on businesses. How can the Chamber support members in these areas?
Information and expertise can go a long way in empowering businesses to achieve their goals, and thanks to our sectoral committees, AmCham Greece is well-positioned to give its members an advantage in key areas from ESG to digital transformation and AI adoption. For example, businesses are increasingly realizing that sustainability is not just a trend; it is the core of the new economy. Yet, translating that understanding into practice isn’t always straightforward. The Chamber can draw on its expertise and international network to showcase best practices and bring US knowhow to support our members in their transition.
Digital transformation and leveraging emerging technologies are also crucial areas, and here too, the Chamber can serve as a knowledge hub, helping to demystify these technologies and highlight their practical applications. For SMEs, the focus must be on affordable and scalable solutions that can be quickly adopted. Meanwhile, partnerships with US tech leaders can give Greek businesses early access to global best practices.
In fact, alongside its renowned sectoral events and strategic initiatives, the Chamber offers members a variety of tailored services and actionable insights to support their growth and help them expand in both the Greek and US markets.
Greece must accelerate reforms that make the business environment more predictable and transparent through targeted improvements in the regulatory framework
Helping Greek companies expand into the United States is a core AmCham mission. How will the Chamber’s new Washington DC office contribute to this effort?
The new Washington office is a gamechanger. For the first time, Greek business will have a strong and consistent presence at the center of US policymaking and business networks. This will increase the visibility of Greek companies, enhance bilateral investment flows, and create new commercial opportunities. Just as importantly, it will allow AmCham Greece to deepen its networking capabilities and develop a more influential voice at the heart of where decisions that shape transatlantic business are made.
We are also developing a range of initiatives, including mentoring programs, sector-specific reports, and high-profile networking opportunities, which will allow members to benefit from practical insights, make informed data-backed decisions, and enjoy direct access to US decisionmakers and key stakeholders.
Of course, working in close collaboration with the United States Embassy in Athens and the new Ambassador will be essential. Building on the strong, longstanding ties between our two nations, we can work together to further bolster our cooperation at all levels and ensure our bilateral relationship remains strategically strong and future-oriented.
You have previously said that small countries can achieve a loud, influential voice when they activate the power of their diasporas. How does this apply in the context of the Greek diaspora in the US?
The Greek diaspora in the United States is a tremendous asset. It is one of the most influential and successful communities in the country. Our priority is to connect this energy with Greece’s business and investment agenda in a structured and strategic way. That means building stronger bridges between diaspora leaders and AmCham Greece members, creating opportunities for co-investment, mentorship, knowledge transfer, angel investing, and advisory panels, and ensuring the diaspora becomes an active partner in advancing Greece’s influence in the United States. I have already communicated with most diaspora leaders, and we look forward to working closely together to ensure this momentous endeavor contributes meaningfully to our economies, communities, and the longstanding friendship between Greece and the United States.
Through our Washington office, we will work systematically to activate this network, not only to strengthen bilateral ties but also to give Greece a louder, more influential voice where decisions are made. When the diaspora’s power is aligned with the Chamber’s mission, it can become a true multiplier of influence and opportunity.
Innovation and reform are central to your platform. Which areas of the Greek business environment do you see as most in need of change?
Greece must accelerate reforms that make the business environment more predictable, transparent, attractive, and conducive to entrepreneurship, innovation, growth, and competitiveness. Companies need a regulatory system with clear rules that rewards initiative, not one that stifles it.
In times of rapid change and widespread uncertainty, the regulatory framework requires major adjustments to become more agile, adaptable, and forward-looking. At the top of the list is the acceleration of justice reforms, as the current pace of justice delivery presents challenges for investors seeking predictability and efficiency. Encouragingly, there is now growing momentum, with broad engagement from the judiciary and a shared recognition of the issue’s significance, offering a promising path forward for enhancing the investment climate. Other reforms, such as administrative simplification and digital-first governance, must also be pushed forward, while access to finance, fair competition, and a consistent tax and incentive framework must remain top priorities. Land policies have also become a serious problem, with off-plan construction, inconsistencies in the Building Code, and frequent Council of State decisions creating uncertainty and delaying productive projects.
The incentive system must be horizontal, fair, and accessible to all, across sectors. It should reward companies that innovate, invest in people, and adopt sustainable practices. Transparent and predictable incentives foster trust, which, in turn, attracts investment, unleashes business talent, and drives competitiveness.
At the same time, innovation ecosystems must be strengthened by linking universities, startups, and established companies, enabling ideas to scale more effectively. It is no secret that the success of the US business model largely rests on the commercialization of research. This is where AmCham Greece can play a catalytic role: mobilizing our members’ experience, connecting with US best practices, and working with institutional and state actors to create a level playing field for all.
The next generation is set to inherit an economy shaped by sustainability, digitalization, and interdependence. What steps is AmCham Greece taking to empower young professionals?
Looking to the future, we need to create tangible pathways for young leaders inside the Chamber, offering mentorship, training, and opportunities to engage directly in shaping the agenda. We wish to develop new initiatives to capture the momentum of developments in technology and entrepreneurship, including startup creation and growth strategies, as well as venture capital financing. As we all know, the USA’s experience in this area is unique. AmCham Greece will strive to be a platform where young voices are not only heard but also actively integrated into our future direction. Empowering the next generation ensures continuity, innovation, and relevance. Above all, it is an investment in Greece’s future.
In an era of uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, how do you see the Chamber’s role evolving?
AmCham Greece must be both a stable and stabilizing voice in turbulent times. Our role is to promote constructive dialogue between the private sector and government, not just by raising concerns but by proposing practical solutions as a reliable institutional interlocutor. As per our Chamber’s main pillars, we advocate for the real needs of businesses, always aligning these needs with Greece’s longterm business interests. By doing so, we reinforce our role as a trusted partner for decisionmakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
At the same time, the Chamber will continue its efforts to promote Greek entrepreneurship and enhance Greek business, at home and abroad, adapting as needed to overcome challenges. Through our committees in key sectors and industries, including energy, ICT, health, tourism, and agrotech, we will continue working to co-shape strategies that place Greece firmly on the international map. We will also renew our flagship events, such as the Greek Economic Summit, to reflect today’s new realities and better project Greece internationally, while enhancing their impact in terms of policy shaping and business opportunities to better address the needs of our members.
With all this in mind, what do you hope to achieve during your term as President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?
My vision is for a Chamber that leaves a strong mark on Greece’s economic transformation, one that meaningfully strengthens ties between Greece and the United States and becomes a true reference point for the future. When my term is up, I want to leave behind a Chamber that is more modern, outward-looking, and impactful, a Chamber with a strengthened internal capacity to deliver value to its members, the economy, and society.
I aim to position AmCham Greece as the trusted institutional partner of choice for government and business, both in Greece and abroad. Ultimately, I aspire to leave a legacy of strength in unity and of transformation, proving that competitiveness and responsibility are not mutually exclusive but together can form the foundation of sustainable, futureproof growth.
