Speech of the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus
Women in Business & Beyond Conference

Speech of the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus
Women in Business & Beyond Conference
11-12 April 2025 

Honourable Commissioner for Gender Equality, Ms. Josie Christodoulou
Esteemed fellow speakers,
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, 

I am extremely honored to be here with you today, to discuss the vital role of empowering women in business and innovation. While significant progress has been made toward gender equality in science and entrepreneurship, there is still much work to be done, both in Cyprus and across Europe. This conference serves as a crucial platform to address these challenges and explore the way forward.

Today’s initiative is an important step in strengthening gender equality in the Research & Innovation sector, and the broader business community. I extend my sincere gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity and privilege to be part of this discussion.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Gender equality in science and entrepreneurship is not only a moral and social imperative; it is also essential for scientific excellence. Diversity in perspectives, inclusivity in ideas, and equal access to opportunities, are fundamental drivers of innovation and progress.

In Cyprus, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions compared to the European Union average. While across the EU approximately 35% of management roles are held by women, the percentage in Cyprus is notably lower. In 2022, Grant Thornton’s Women in Business report indicated that women held 28% of CEO/Managing Director positions and 23% of CIO positions in Cyprus. This reflects a positive trend towards greater gender diversity in senior management roles.

However, statistics continue to highlight the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, with women making up only one-third of graduates. Encouragingly, in Cyprus, the Research and Innovation Foundation has already made significant strides. More than 60% of applicants in our most recent postdoctoral program, PhD in industry, were women. Additionally, 66% of RIF’s staff are women, half of whom hold administrative positions, and 44% of researchers participating in our programs are women.

Promoting gender equality not only enhances collective knowledge but also drives scientific excellence and societal impact. Since 2018, RIF has implemented a Gender Equality Plan under the European TARGET project, aligning with European Research Area priorities and the Horizon 2020 Regulation, which emphasizes the importance of integrating the gender dimension into Research and Innovation.

Esteemed guests,

The contributions of women to research, innovation, science, and entrepreneurship are invaluable. History offers us remarkable examples of women who have broken barriers, inspired others, and reshaped the world through their work.

Today, we are fortunate to highlight the presence — whether physical or symbolic — of some truly remarkable women who are shaping the landscape of business, technology, and leadership in Cyprus. These professionals stand out not only for their impressive titles, but for the real impact they are making across sectors that drive our economy forward.

Among them is Ms. Ingrid Camileri, Chief Digital Officer at Cablenet, who leads digital transformation efforts in one of the country’s largest telecom providers. Ms. Anna Charalambous, Managing Director of Robura, brings fresh momentum to the tech ecosystem through dynamic entrepreneurship. Equally inspiring is Ms. Thekla Paschali, Chief Technology Officer at Payabl, who contributes to positioning Cyprus as a hub for fintech innovation. In the energy sector, Ms. Natasa Pilides, now CEO of MED Energywise Ltd, continues to lead with strategic vision and a focus on sustainability. Ms. Elena Tanou, Vice President of Top Kinisis Travel, is a name synonymous with excellence and international recognition in tourism and public engagement. We are also proud of women driving the financial sector, such as Ms. Maria Kyriacou, Chief Financial Officer at Hellenic Bank, Ms. Elena Stylianou, CFO at Logicom Public Ltd, and Ms. Christina Ioannou, CFO at Ask Wire, each of whom demonstrates the strength and precision required to lead in highly complex environments.

These women — whether they are able to join us here today or not — represent not just individual success stories, but the collective progress we are making toward a more inclusive and dynamic future.

At the same time, we continue to celebrate excellence in research and innovation. A shining example is Dr. Irene Sargiannidou and her team at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, who were recently honored with the Cyprus Research Award for the Commercial Exploitation of Research Results in 2025. Alongside Dr Evelina Charidemou and Dr. Penelope Constantinou, they represent 50% of the award recipients in the 2025 Research and Innovation Awards — a powerful testament to the impact of women in science and innovation.

Their groundbreaking work in developing gene therapies for peripheral hereditary neuropathies, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, reflects the potential of Cypriot science to contribute meaningfully to global challenges.Your achievements inspire future generations, demonstrating that dedication and perseverance lead to success.

Dear Guests,

 As Chief Scientist and President of the Research and Innovation Foundation, I assure you that increasing women’s participation in research, technology, innovation and business, remains a top priority. Providing equal opportunities and fostering a supportive environment is crucial for empowering more women in these fields.

We must inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers, ensuring they have the confidence and opportunities to excel. Encouraging more women in science, business, and innovation, is not just an aspiration – it is an economic and societal necessity. Every time we fail to support women in these fields, we lose valuable talent and creativity. As Cyprus strives to become a hub for research and innovation, we must fully harness the potential of all our people.

I sincerely thank you once again. I am confident that the discussions ahead will generate meaningful insights on advancing gender equality in research, business, science, and innovation.

Let us all commit to building a future where women and men have equal opportunities to innovate, create, and drive progress.

Thank you.