Zack Demopoulos’s story begins with his upbringing as the proud son of Greek immigrants, whose journey to the United States instilled in him a deep sense of gratitude, resilience, and responsibility. He shares how his family’s experiences shaped his values and work ethic, from working in his father’s restaurant as a teenager to pursuing higher Education and a successful corporate career. Zack’s life took a dramatic turn in 2006 when he was suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver for his father after a major Stroke, all while balancing a demanding job and a young family of his own.
Throughout the episode, Zack candidly discusses the emotional, logistical, and financial challenges of caregiving, including the complexities of sibling dynamics and the importance of open communication and planning. He reflects on the mistakes and lessons learned during his father’s illness, such as the need to involve siblings, have difficult end-of-life conversations, and seek out resources—even when they seem limited. Zack’s journey didn’t end with his father; he later became a key support for his mother, applying the hard-earned Wisdom from his earlier experiences to ensure her well-being and dignity.
Now, Zack channels his expertise and empathy into advocacy for working caregivers. Drawing on his background in HR, home care, and personal caregiving, he collaborates with his partner Selma to develop resources and support systems for employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. Zack’s story is a testament to the resilience of caregivers and the critical need for greater awareness, support, and compassion in both families and workplaces.
About Zack:
Zack Demopoulos along with his partner Selma Archer founded ieadvocates llc, or Invisible Employee Advocates, a consulting firm created to support working caregivers by working with their employers. He has over 36 years of diverse experience working in the corporate and small business environments. His expertise spans across sales management; executive leadership; human resources; diversity, equity, and inclusion; small business; board leadership; and caregiving. Zack along with his wife Phyllis founded and operated a home care agency for 13 years, helping over 500 families care for their family loved ones, and hiring over 700 professional caregivers to provide that care.
Zack is a caregiver advocate as well as a caregiver–long distance for his mother who is in a Nursing home in Charlotte NC. He commutes 1-2 x every four months to spend time with her and be her advocate.
Zack with his wife, Phyllis, reside in New Jersey and spend significant time with their family who live nearby and include 2 rescue dogs, three adult children, their spouses, and 3 grandchildren.
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Known since childhood as “The Elliott Girls” or simply, “The Girls”, it makes sense that we work together to support our mother, and each other. Our trio begins with Jenefer Jane “JJ” who was and always will be “in charge”. She’s the peacekeeper. The responsible one, ensuring Natalie and Emilie remain alive. Next is Natalie, the middle child, who was and always will be Miss Congeniality. She’s the athlete. The rebel responsible for three babysitters exiting the summer of ’84. Then there is Emilie, the youngest, who was and always will be “the baby”. At 6’1”, she is the sensitive and quiet soul. The one responsible for the guinea pig that begged for lettuce and the stray dog we adopted from the bus stop.
After high school we went separate ways, from New Mexico to North Carolina. JJ would go on to get her Master’s in Business Administration and work in the finance world before partnering with her now husband, Dexter, to run a variety of businesses. Natalie would go on to get her Master’s in Social Work degree, and work in the mental health field, advocating for children and families to receive the most appropriate services. Natalie would marry and divorce early on but later marry Jason. Emilie would exit college early to marry and gift us with Owen and twins, Maxx and Natalie Jane aka “The Kids”. Emilie would later divorce and work with county government, focusing much time on caring for the kids.
The source of the sisterhood falls to Jim aka “Big Jim” and Connie, small town high school sweethearts married for almost 40 years.
In 2005, at the age of 52, mom would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She hid the disease for years behind dad’s 6’2” frame. The tremors and sudden inability to move were both calmed and steadied by his arm and simple presence. He was her rock. Our rock. Close family and friends knew of her chronic illness, but to the rest of the world, everything was “fine”. Life would turn upside down when our dad unexpectedly passed in 2011 of a massive heart attack at the age of 58. The assumption was Dad would always be mom’s caregiver but that wasn’t God’s plan.
Mom would spend the years following our father’s death desperately seeking a cure for Parkinson’s while trying to manage her symptoms. As the years went by, the cruel symptoms associated with the disease increased, negatively impacting her body while her mind remained clear and in tune. We lived our lives checking in to make sure she was “okay” but knowing the day would come when we had to do more. And then it did. The summer of 2019 changed everything. That’s where the real caregiver story begins for us. Little did we know she would be only the beginning of our caregiving journey.
In March 2022, Natalie’s husband, Jason, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. From the first time Jason detected something off about the swollen lymph nodes in his neck, to the formal diagnosis, and the decision to move to New York City to participate in a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the journey would push them to their limits. The silver lining of his diagnosis was the cancer brought them closer to God, restoring their faith in Him while also experiencing a myriad of blessings through the kindness of family, friends, and strangers. Their story is a testimony that will inspire and offer hope.
