Jim and Noreen Speros met at the end of High School in the Bronx, New York where they lived and came from hard working middle-class families of very modest means. Jim’s parents came to the U.S. from the islands of Crete and Rhodes prior to the Great Depression and struggled through that very difficult period. Noreen’s parents also immigrated to the U.S. from Killarney, Ireland. Like many, they came here to provide a better life for their family. Both sets of parents instilled in their children a strong work ethic, the importance of family and, most importantly, the love of their faith. With the blessings of their parents, Jim and Noreen married at the Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church in the Bronx and have been married for 46 years. They have two accomplished daughters who are a source of immense pride – Keri Connors who is married to Nicholas Connors, and Lindsay Speros. They have two granddaughters, Clara (age 10) and Grace (age 7) who are among the greatest joys of their lives. Jim and Noreen currently live in Wellesley, MA and are members of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, MA where Jim often assists with chanting and helping in the altar.

Noreen spent the bulk of her time doing what often does not get the credit it deserves – the most important job of raising their family while Jim went on to become a successful marketing executive. Jim retired in 2017 as Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer after a 41 year career leading the marketing for some of the world’s most prestigious companies including: AT&T, Ernst & Young, Marsh & McLennan Companies and Fidelity Investments. Many of you are likely familiar with some of the award winning campaigns he has created including the “Reach Out Touch Someone”and “Green Line” campaigns for AT&T and Fidelity Investments. He has served the church in numerous capacities including: High School Sunday School teacher at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ where he taught the senior class for 18 years and served on the Parish Council; a member of the first Archdiocese Communications Council founded by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; a National Council member of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) where he led the Archon Spirituality Committee and Annual Retreat during its first 7 years; a member of Leadership 100; member of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College Holy Cross; and most recently, as newly appointed Co-Regional Commander of the Metropolis of Boston. In recognition of Jim’s service to the church and distinguished career, he was awarded the Paradigm Award by the Pan Hellenic Scholarship Foundation. 

One of the couple’s favorite sayings is, “Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy while we are here.” They believe that giving back for all the blessings they have received in life is fundamental to who they are and deeply embedded in their DNA. So, just last year, they decided to become fulfilled members of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation paying their entire commitment to become Founders. As the spiritual center for the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians, Jim and Noreen felt it was critically important to provide the economic support necessary for the needs and ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – especially given the intense religious persecution faced by the Holy Mother Church in Constantinople and Christians around the world. “We are humbled and honored to be able to provide for the Great Church of Christ and encourage everyone to do their part to ensure the continuity of our 2000 year old faith,” said the Speros. “It is ultimately our sacred responsibility to do so.”