To Life, To Love,
To Legacy

Our Story

Aviva was born from friendship, shared experience, and a belief that great hospitality starts with great relationships.

Patrick Gillan (Pat) and Georgianne Fsadni (Georgi) have been colleagues and friends for many years. Their professional relationship began at Ernst & Young, where they developed an appreciation for one another’s judgment and work ethic. Over the years, that professional relationship grew into a friendship. Outside of work, their families and friendships naturally became intertwined. Georgi, Pat, Pat’s wife Tracey, and another close friend are all “Queens kids,” which gave them an instant connection, along with a shared love of lobster. They discovered another connection along the way: Tracey’s grandmother was Maltese, as were Georgi’s parents.

One of the experiences that has stayed with Pat and Georgi most profoundly is one they never could have imagined. On September 11, 2001, they watched the towers come down from Pat’s office. Experiencing that extraordinary and heartbreaking day together became part of the history they share, and in many ways a reminder of the importance of making the most of the moments and relationships that matter.

In 2019, Pat approached Georgi with an idea that combined their shared passion for real estate and hospitality, leading them to go into business together. Pat had grown up around the catering business through his uncle, a successful entrepreneur, and over the course of 25 years developed a deep understanding of the industry. He had a vision for building a company focused on acquiring and operating wedding and event venues, and Georgi brought years of hospitality and business experience of her own. Together, they secured their first investor, a longtime relationship of Pat’s, formed the company, and acquired Grand View.

The Meaning Behind Aviva

The name Aviva traces back to a tradition in Georgi’s family. At family gatherings, Georgi’s father would raise his glass and say, “Aviva.” In their family, it was his version of “to life,” used much the same way as Sláinte, Cheers, Santé, or L’Chaim. It was a simple toast, but it captured something much bigger: celebrating the people around the table, appreciating the moment, and recognizing how fortunate we are to share life with the people who matter to us.

That spirit became the inspiration for the company’s name.

At its heart, hospitality is about bringing people together. It is about creating beautiful places where meaningful moments happen and helping people celebrate the occasions they will remember for years to come.

From the beginning, Pat and Georgi have also been fortunate to build Aviva with the guidance and encouragement of people whose experience they deeply respect. Longstanding relationships with investors have further strengthened the foundation upon which Aviva has grown.

Pat and Georgi are proud of what they have created, but perhaps even more proud of how they have created it: through friendship, trust, hard work, shared values, and a genuine belief in the power of hospitality.

Aviva is their way of raising a glass: to life, to friendship, to partnership, and to the people and moments that make life worth celebrating.