Dimitri's desire for justice, his curiosity and drive to understand how things work (and how to make them work better), and his artistic talents are all rooted in his childhood.

Growing up in Tucson, Arizona in a Greek immigrant household, Dimitri's first language was Greek. At age 8, his great aunt would take him to translate when she went to see anyone important, calling him "my lawyer."

Dimitri always took things apart to learn how they work, and would then improve their performance. (The Volkswagens he rebuilt in High School led to building and rebuilding computers.) But his other outlets were always artistic, winning film awards throughout the southwest, and always experimenting in the kitchen.

As a college student, working nights at Safeway, a union representative asked Dimitri for help. Dimitri soon left school to work full-time for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, becoming Secretary Treasurer as the small local of 225 workers grew into a statewide organization of 6,000.

Dimitri's union experience honed his talents into skills, melding his sense of justice with his problem-solving skills to find consensus, whether addressing 1,000 angry union members or working one-on-one to negotiate a contract, all in Arizona - a right-to-work state. It appears his great aunt was right!

After 12 years, Dimitri left the union, joining Palo Seco Corporation, where he combined forces with Hildy Gottlieb, establishing a reputation for business turn-around and problem-solving.

In 1993, Hildy and Dimitri formed Help 4 NonProfits & Tribes, dedicating their talents and skills to make the world a better place.

By 1998, though, they faced frustration: Whether or not their nonprofit clients implemented the plans they created, little (if anything) changed in the communities those organizations served. That revelation led to developing approaches that go counter to conventional nonprofit wisdom. Inverting the classic "internally focused" functions - governance, resource development, planning, etc. - they instead refocused those functions outward, towards making communities better places to live.

And the Community-Driven Institute was born.

Hildy and Dimitri are also co-founders of the nation's first Diaper Bank*, providing this critical commodity to those in need while working to create a community that doesn't need a Diaper Bank. Using Community-Driven approaches to build the organization, they replicated the model, building a 2nd Diaper Bank in Phoenix. From this hands-on experience, they directly understand the realities facing Social Sector leaders.

Dimitri's creative mark can be seen most vividly in his web design - the serious and informative Help4NonProfits.com, the information-packed and oh-so-adorable DiaperBank.org, and the lyrical and visually intoxicating chronicle, AtOurKitchenTable.com. He also designs the proprietary websites used by the Institute's clients.

Dimitri's community activities have included various boards and commissions, including a seat on Pima Council on Aging's nationally acclaimed Commission on the New Aging. For his efforts, Dimitri has received numerous awards, including the inaugural Charity Channel Founder's Award, and a Presidential Points of Light Citation from President Bill Clinton.

In addition to his work life, Dimitri and his wife Dyan have 2 sons, both of whom have learned to cook alongside their dad. He still builds and rebuilds computers whenever he gets the chance.