Rena E Gyftopoulos

Rena E Gyftopoulos is self-employed architect and designer living in South Boston, Massachusetts.  She grew up in Lincoln, MA and graduated from The College of Architecture, Art and Planning at Cornell University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.  As an architect, she has worked on a vast array of projects, from skyscrapers in Shanghai to branded boutique retail interiors in the Back Bay and theater design on some of the largest cruise ships in the world.   She is also a costume designer for several schools and community groups in the Boston area.

The Hellenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association have been a part of Rena’s life since their creation in 1973.  Her maternal great aunt, Antigoni Damalas and her grandmother Mary Scalleiri were both early and active members of HWBA.  Along with Rena’s paternal grandfather ‘Papou Panayotis’, Antigoni and Mary were also residents of the HNRC.

Artemis Gyftopoulos, Rena’s late mother was an HWBA President, dedicated board member, tireless advocate and ardent volunteer at the HNRC for several decades until the time of her passing in the summer of 2011.

Rena is an active volunteer in her community.  She has donated and taught Greek cooking classes in her home, made custom cakes and confections for friends and charitable organizations, and has been a Pan-Mas Challenge rider since 1991.

Rena lives with her husband David Shepherd and their two children, Dante and Arianna.