Annual Gala
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St. Sava Academy is more than a school — it’s a gathering place for families who believe in tradition, character, and the next generation. Every year, this gala brings that community together for one extraordinary evening.
What began as a small parish initiative has grown, over decades, into a beloved Chicago institution. St. Sava Academy was founded to give children a place where academic excellence and cultural heritage live side by side.
Today, the Annual Black Tie Gala stands as the academy’s most important fundraising tradition — a night that has welcomed governors, ambassadors, business leaders, and neighbors alike. The dress is formal, but the purpose is deeply personal.
Behind every chandelier, every champagne flute, every signed check, there is a child whose education is being made possible.
Founded by a small group of parish families committed to giving Chicago’s Serbian-American community a school of its own.
The first St. Sava Academy Annual Black Tie Gala welcomes founding families and marks the beginning of a new tradition for the community.
The second gala arrives at The St. Regis Chicago, welcoming more than 200 guests — a meaningful step forward for the community and the academy.
The 3rd Annual Black Tie Gala arrives at the Peninsula Chicago — the most ambitious evening in the academy’s history.
The Planning Committee is a volunteer group of parents and friends who give their time so that every detail of the gala honors the academy and its families.
Vice President, Americas at Air Serbia
George Petkovic is an international airline and hospitality executive with more than two decades of experience in business development, luxury hospitality, operations, and global market expansion.
As Vice President, Americas for Air Serbia, George leads the airline’s operations and commercial development across the region and has played a key role in establishing and expanding Air Serbia’s presence in North America. His work brings together aviation, international business, and longstanding relationships with corporate, government, diplomatic, and industry partners.
Prior to joining Air Serbia, George built his career in New York’s luxury hospitality industry, holding leadership positions at Trump SoHo New York, The Chatwal, Four Seasons Hotel New York, and Waldorf Astoria New York. His experience spans international sales, hotel operations, brand development, and luxury guest experience, working with clientele and partners from around the world.
Beyond his professional career, George has maintained a strong commitment to philanthropy and the Serbian community. He was a founding member of a Serbian philanthropic organization in New York, where he later served on the Board for two years, and has organized numerous charitable galas and community events throughout New York.
His philanthropic involvement is also deeply personal. George led an initiative to rebuild the school in the village where he grew up in Serbia, giving back to the community that shaped his childhood and helping provide a better educational environment for future generations.
Having traveled to approximately 90 countries, George brings a distinctly international perspective to his professional, philanthropic, and community work. He holds degrees in Business and Economics and Hotel Management and is also a licensed New York real estate professional specializing in high-end real estate.
We honor the traditions that shape us, weaving language, faith, and culture into every aspect of our children’s education.
We hold our school, our students, and ourselves to standards that prepare young minds for the world they will lead.
We believe an academy is more than a building. It is the families who gather, give, and grow within it.
Whether you attend, sponsor, or donate from afar — every contribution carries our community forward.