Women in STEM Cyprus Forum

21 NOV 2025

Loft Restaurant & Bar, Nicosia
(UNIC Campus Rooftop)

Under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus

Organizer

Co-Organizer

Gold Sponser

18
Days
19
Hours
54
Minutes
24
Seconds

Women in STEM Cyprus Summit 2025: Voices of Change

The 2nd Women in STEM Cyprus Summit explores the status quo of female representation in STEM at a critical time when DEI initiatives are being challenged. The 2025 edition goes beyond inspiration — it is a call for systemic change, ensuring women’s voices are heard where it matters most: in parliaments, boardrooms, labs, and classrooms. The Summit serves as a platform that unites leaders from politics, business, and academia to confront barriers, amplify diverse perspectives, and advance policies and practices that enable true equality.

Empowerment

Providing women with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to succeed in the tech industry.

Advocacy

Raising awareness about the challenges women face in tech and advocating for greater inclusion and diversity.

Support

Facilitating professional growth for women in tech and female entrepreneurs through targeted workshops.

Networking

Creating a platform for women to network, collaborate, and share experiences.

Venue

Loft Restaurant & Bar, Nicosia (UNIC Campus Rooftop)

Full Agenda

A series of thought-provoking speeches, and engaging discussions featuring distinguished speakers including government officials, tech ambassadors and thought leaders.

10:00 – 10:15

Welcoming Speech

Speaker:

Tanya Romanyukha, General Manager, TechIsland & Director, Women in Tech® Cyprus

10:15 – 10:30

Opening Address

Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy

10:30 – 10:50

Keynote Speech: “Reaching for the Stars”

An inspiring address by a Cypriot astronaut, sharing her journey in STEM, the challenges she overcame, and the importance of representation in space exploration.

Speaker:

Eleni Charitonos, 1st Cypriot Female Analog Astronaut

10:50 – 11:05

Sitting in the Front Row: "Shaping a Human-Centered AI Future”

This talk will highlight the strategic value of diverse leadership in navigating AI-driven change, from fostering innovation and collaboration to building resilient, human-centered organizations. “Sitting in the Front Row” is both a metaphor and a call to action: encouraging women to take visible, influential positions in shaping the future of an AI-powered world.

Speaker:

Christina Orfanidou, Head of Group AI, Columbia Group

11:05 – 11:45

Oxford Debate: “What’s next for women’s empowerment?”

At a time when global DEI initiatives are losing momentum and new cultural trends - such as the rise of “trad wives,” online hate speech, and anti-feminist rhetoric - are gaining ground, the future of women’s empowerment is at a crossroads. This Oxford-style debate will explore whether today’s efforts are sufficient to counter these challenges or whether they risk being too limited in the face of growing backlash.

Speaker:

● Toumazis Toumazi, Project Manager, Cyprus Computer Society
● Maria Stylianou, Tech Leadership Consultant | Founder of Google Developer Groups Cyprus
● George Savva, Global ESG Practice Lead, Amdocs

Moderator:

Chrysanthos Tsouroullis, CEO at DIAS Media Group and SIGMA TV

11:45 – 12:00

Research Findings: Women in STEM – Where do we stand?

Presentation of the key findings of the national survey by IMR/UNIC on the current representation of women in STEM fields.

Speaker:

Christina Kokkalou, CEO, IMR/UNIC

12:00 – 12:40

Fireside chats: “Women in Politics – The Unspoken Truths of Pro-Female Policy Making”

A relaxed conversation with female MPs about dual career challenges, invisible labor, and the importance of women’s presence in parliament and politics in order to achieve policymaking that truly supports gender equality and equity.

Speakers:

Christiana Erotokritou Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus

Moderator:

Natasa Pilides, CEO of Med Energywise Ltd & Ex Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Republic of Cyprus

12:40 – 13:25

Panel Discusssion: “Boardroom Revolution: Getting Women Where Decisions Are Made”

A discussion on women in corporate boards and leadership roles, addressing barriers and strategies for ensuring equal representation in decision-making spaces.

Speakers:

● Ugne Buraciene, Group CEO, payabl.
● Evgenia Herodotou, CEO, Energy Intel
● Joanna Saunders-Hare, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition, MUFG Investor Services

Moderator:

Cleopatra Kitti, INSEAD Certified Independent Director and Advisor

13:25 – 13:40

Speech: “AI as the Great Equalizer?”

This session confronts one of the biggest questions in tech: can AI truly be a force for gender equality? We will investigate the promise and the peril of AI, moving from the risks of systemic bias to the opportunity for a more equitable future. This is a conversation about the urgent need for all of us to be part of building the solution.

Speakers:

● Michelle McIntosh AI Education & Communication Lead, Aseto AI

13:40 – 14:30

Panel Discussion: “Holistic Approach to Women’s Wellbeing: Why Inclusivity Matters”

To enable girls and women to pursue their dreams and reach their goals, it is not enough to provide equal opportunities; there must be a culture of support where their bodies, hormonal changes, and emotional cycles are not stigmatized but understood, accepted, and accommodated.

Speakers:

● Gala Grigoreva, Co-founder at Integrated Professional Growth
● Kathy Kattashis, Founder & Director of MITRA - Cyprus Menopause Center
● Marina Sevastidou - Senior HRBP, Corporate Functions at Wargaming

Moderator:

Katya Solov, Founder of Miranna

14:30 – 15:30

Networking

Workshops

To Be Announced Soon

12:00 - 12:50

Workshop: "Non-Tech Career in Tech"

📍 Loft Restaurant Nicosia, (UNIC Rooftop)

13:00 - 13:50

Workshop: "Own Your Money, Thrive in Life: Boost Your Financial Wellbeing"

📍 Loft Restaurant Nicosia, (UNIC Rooftop)

14:00-14:50

Workshop: "Women & Investments: Empowering Women to Build & Grow Wealth"

📍 Loft Restaurant Nicosia, (UNIC Rooftop)

12:55 - 13:50

Workshop 4
Empowering Your Voice

Our Speakers

Team Member - Tanya Romanyukha
Tanya Romanyukha

Tanya Romanyukha

General Manager, TechIsland®️ & Director, Women in Tech®️ Cyprus


Team Member - Nicodemos Damianou
Nicodemos Damianou

Nicodemos Damianou

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Republic of Cyprus


Team Member - Christiana Erotokritou
Christiana Erotokritou

Christiana Erotokritou

Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus



Team Member - Gala Grigoreva
Gala Grigoreva

Gala Grigoreva

Co-founder of Integrated Professional Growth | CMO at Adsterra | Community Leader, Women in Tech Cyprus

Team Member - Eleni Charitonos
Eleni Charitonos

Eleni Charitonos

Cyprus’ first female analog astronaut


Team Member - Ugne Buraciene
Ugne Buraciene

Ugne Buraciene

Group CEO of payabl.



Team Member - Joanna Saunders-Hare
Joanna Saunders-Hare

Joanna Saunders-Hare

Executive Director, Talent Acquisition, MUFG Investor Services

Team Member - Natasa Pilides
Natasa Pilides

Natasa Pilides

CEO of Med Enegrywise Ltd & Ex Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Republic of Cyprus

Team Member - Eugenia Herodotou
Eugenia Herodotou

Eugenia Herodotou

Co-Founder and CEO of EnergyIntel


Team Member - Cleopatra Kitti
Cleopatra Kitti

Cleopatra Kitti

INSEAD Certified Independent Director. Advisor to International Organizations and Governments

Team Member - Chrysanthos Tsouroullis
Chrysanthos Tsouroullis

Chrysanthos Tsouroullis

CEO at DIAS Media Group and SIGMA TV


Team Member - Christina Kokkalou
Christina Kokkalou

Christina Kokkalou

CEO, IMR/University of Nicosia



Screenshot 2024-09-06 at 2.36
Josie Christodoulou
Commissioner for Gender Equality, Republic of Cyprus


Team Member - Dr. Maryam Kazemi Manesh
Dr. Maryam Kazemi Manesh

Dr. Maryam Kazemi Manesh

Senior Project Delivery Manager at GILAWA Ltd

Team Member - Anna Gurina
Anna Gurina

Anna Gurina

Startup Mentor at ULTRA.VC



Team Member - Kathy Kattashis
Kathy Kattashis

Kathy Kattashis

Founder & Director, MITRA



Screenshot 2024-09-06 at 2.36
Josie Christodoulou
Commissioner for Gender Equality, Republic of Cyprus


Team Member - Biljana Kocevska Adam
Biljana Kocevska Adam

Biljana Kocevska Adam

Associate Director, HR & Talent Acquisition
at MUFG Investor Services

Team Member - Katya Igoshina (Solov)
Katya Igoshina (Solov)

Katya Igoshina (Solov)

Founder and CEO of Miranna


Team Member - George Savva
George Savva

George Savva

Global ESG Practice Lead, Amdocs

Team Member - Michelle McIntosh
Michelle McIntosh

Michelle McIntosh

AI Education & Communication Lead, Aseto AI

Team Member - Christina Orfanidou
Christina Orfanidou

Christina Orfanidou

Head of AI, Columbia Group


Team Member - Marina Sevastidou
Marina Sevastidou

Marina Sevastidou

Senior HRBP, Corporate Functions at Wargaming


Team Member - Michaella Savva
Michaella Savva

Michaella Savva

Manager at Wealth Management, Investment Services, Eurobank Ltd.

Team Member - Toumazis Toumazi
Toumazis Toumazi

Toumazis Toumazi

Project Manager, Cyprus Computer Society


Team Member - Maria Stylianou
Maria Stylianou

Maria Stylianou

Tech Leadership Consultant | Founder of Google Developer Groups Cyprus

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