The Hellenic Heritage Foundation is proud to honour Mike Lazaridis with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding and exemplary contributions as a global business leader and philanthropist. Lazaridis will receive the Award at the Foundation’s signature “Night in Plaka” Gala on June 7, 2013.
A true visionary, Lazaridis transformed the communications industry with the development of the BlackBerry, launching the smartphone revolution. As a passionate advocate for the power of basic science to improve and transform the world, Lazaridis founded in 2000 the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics which is a theoretical physics research institute in Waterloo. Recognizing the need for collaboration between theorists and experimentalists, in 2002, Mike led the establishment of The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo. IQC is an experimental research institute focusing on quantum information science. Through his leadership, Perimeter and IQC have emerged as leading international centres for theoretical physics research, training and outreach. His vision, leadership and generous financial support also led to the opening last year of the state-of-the-art Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre at the University of Waterloo. The Centre will provide the tools and opportunities to unlock the power of quantum information and boundless potential of nano-technology that will benefit society in countless ways. Lazaridis predicts that breakthroughs made by researchers at these world class research centers will lead to the creation of new jobs, new companies and new value creation that will establish the Waterloo Region as the “Quantum Valley”, in the same way that the discoveries and innovations at the Bell Labs lead to the creation of the Silicon Valley.
In March of this year, Lazaridis co-founded the Waterloo-based $100 million Quantum Valley Investment Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial and intellectual capital toward the development and commercialization of breakthroughs in quantum information science.
The Hellenic Heritage Foundation, a Toronto-based charitable organization, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Hellenic culture, heritage and education in Canada, is hosting its 17th Anniversary A Night in Plaka Gala at the Paramount Event and Conference Centre in Woodbridge, Ontario.
The Gala is expected to attract more than 700 people, including political dignitaries, local and international business leaders, distinguished professionals in academia and the arts and other community leaders. Broadcaster Steven Anthony will be the Master of Ceremonies, navigating this exciting evening.
As a proud member of Imagine Canada, the Hellenic Heritage Foundation is a highly respected and professionally managed Foundation that has earned a reputation for its charitable and philanthropic goals and initiatives. Having donated over $5.5 million to support its goals, the Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the Foundation’s Anniversary, its accomplishments and to pay tribute to Mike Lazaridis’ outstanding achievements. The evening begins with a reception at 7 p.m. followed by a formal dinner at 8 p.m. A live performance by talented Greek performers Spiros Spirakos and Giorgos Daskoulidis will bring us back to a memorable night in “Plaka”, Athens.
Tickets for this signature event are currently on sale. For more information on this special evening, contact Event Coordinator, George Keroglidis by email: [email protected] or by phone: (416) 447-7107. For more information, please visit the website https://www.hhf.ca.