Margo Catsimatidis

Margo Catsimatidis (nee Vondersaar), born in Indiana, bade farewell to her family of six brothers and sisters and set out for New York City in 1971 with a goal for a career in dance. While in Indianapolis at age 12, Margo Catsimatidis was the youngest person ever invited to dance with the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet. In New York, Margo studied ballet with a renowned Russian instructor and appeared in numerous theatrical productions. A dance related injury directed Margo to channel her creative talent and energy into other career choices, while keeping her ballet contacts close, serving for a time on the board of the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company.

In 1973 Margo Catsimatidis became the first secretary to the owner of a young company named Red Apple Supermarkets. This job would subsequently guide her career and life, eventually marrying owner John Catsimatidis.

In 1984 Margo founded MCV Advertising Associates, an advertising agency specializing in retail print advertising. MCV Advertising grew into one of the premier print agencies in the New York metropolitan area. In addition to her professional advertising career, Margo heads a wide variety of civic and charitable concerns. Margo is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church of America’s Leadership 100, a group of church leaders who guide Orthodoxy in the Americas. Margo and John are the recipients of numerous awards and honors in the Greek American community.

A highlight of Margo Catsimatidis’ contributions is the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund. While devoted to the Greek American community, Margo Catsimatidis pays tribute to her own heritage as well, having served as Chairman of the annual Russian Heritage Foundation dinner in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a Board member of the Tolstoy Foundation. Margo’s work in heritage preservation brought her national recognition, and in 2000 she was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Margo also serves on the steering committee of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Board of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Margo also serves on the committee for the PAL women’s luncheon. As a member of the West Side Chamber of Commerce, Margo’s direction turned a small block party into one of the City’s largest annual public events – the Columbus Avenue Festival attended by millions of New Yorkers over the years. The Catsimatidis’ political involvement is legendary in New York. They have hosted dinners in their home for Presidents, Vice Presidents, Governors, and politicians from all levels of government, as well as being instrumental in the building of the chapel at the Presidential retreat at Camp David. The cornerstone of Margo’s life is her family. Their daughter and son Andrea Catsimatidis and John Catsimatidis, Jr. are graduates of NYU.