Roddy Damalis | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Roddy repatriated to Cyprus ten years ago, having run two successful restaurants in Johannesburg, South Africa, Roddy has always been rather unique. He’s never been the type of chef who keeps to a tried and tested formula. Instead, he likes to take the traditional, take it apart and then put it back together in his unique way.

His culinary creativity, mixed with a pure passion for food inherited and absorbed from many key figures in his life means that every time he cradles a spoon or fondles an ingredient, his love for his craft emanates through every morsel he makes.

Since stirring up the culinary scene in Cyprus, Roddy has made a name for himself as one of the island’s most celebrated chefs. Not content to stand back and watch the pot boil, Roddy also runs highly popular cookery workshops, either as a one-off or as part of a series and thrives on the passion and fun he brings to the willing participants.

Then there is his cooking programme on national television and appearances on international food shows which have not only allowed him to become a culinary household name, it’s also exposed viewers to the infinite possibilities and variations available in the Cypriot kitchen.

The amount of interest and adoration generated by this man of all seasonings has also resulted in the significant gourmet accolades adorning the walls of Ta Piatakia/ Little Plates Restaurant. From the highly coveted Time Out awards to other prestigious gourmet magazine certifications, there is obviously a reason he has been filmed and featured with international chefs, including England’s Tonia Buxton on the Discovery Network and other renowned European chefs.

Jill Douka | TEDxNicosia Speaker

3 ways to Regenerate your work by Jill Douka Life coach, international speaker, author

Jill Douka MBA, ACC is a Life Coach, international workshop leader and author.

She is Greek Canadian and has trained, coached and mentored thousands of individuals in Europe, USA and Asia. She is considered to be one of the most acclaimed coaches in Greece by the press and is one of the first Europeans invited to speak in a TEDx event in Asia. Vice President of www.uniquenessdevelopmentgroup.com she supports people to successfully cope with change by unlocking their strengths, energy and goals. Some of UDG clients are Kraft, Microsoft, Iberdrola, Peiraios Bank. Founder of www.BetterLifeDay.com, the global educational platform commited to solutions worth knowing, is looking forward to living in a world where lifelong learning tools towards collective better living, become mainstream and accessible to all. Ms Douka was chosen as a mentor at the European Business Mentors network and is an active philanthropist. She loves to travel, cook, read and scuba dive.

Stefanos Evripidou | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Stefanos Evripidou is chief reporter at the English-language national newspaper, Cyprus Mail. His main beat is politics, energy and the economy though he often covers issues relating to human rights and migration.

He experienced life as a student abroad in the late 1990s when he studied Law in the UK. In 2005, he took a mid-career break to complete a Masters in International Conflict Studies in London. In the last 11 years, his work has seen him travel across the globe, reporting from Delhi to Istanbul, Dublin to Kosovo on a broad range of issues. He has interviewed a wide range of people from detained asylum seekers on hunger strike to presidents and foreign ministers, as well as fascinating characters like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the body double of Saddam Hussein's notorious son Uday.

He has been awarded twice for articles written on refugees and migration, winning first prize in 2011 and second prize the year before.
In 2010, he was one of three Greek Cypriot journalists invited to interview a Turkish prime minister for the first time, as part of a short-lived effort to close the gap in communications betweenTurkey and Cyprus.

He has been invited to speak at a number of conferences on the political situation in Cyprus, as well as on migration and asylum and the role of the media. His online work includes a weekly podcast on all things Cypriot during 2010 and the production of a short series of video blogs on efforts to teach history in a frozen conflict. He recently produced and co-directed a 40-minute documentary on the conflicting historical narratives of the conflict in Cyprus, which premiered in August 2012 at the Lemesos International Documentary Festival.

Katerina Kaouri | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Dr Katerina Kaouri is an applied mathematician, with a penchant for good food, socializing, and dancing. She returned to Cyprus a couple of years ago, after more than a decade abroad, where she travelled extensively, coming across some extraordinary people and ideas. She holds a DPhil in Applied Mathematics from Oxford University, a Bachelors’ in Mathematics from Cambridge University, and Masters' degrees from Oxford University and Columbia University. Katerina has also worked for some time as a business consultant for a variety of clients and industries, and had the chance to put mathematical analysis to practice when taking business decisions. She currently teaches at Intercollege and the Cyprus University of Technology and does research in –sometimes unexpected- applications of mathematics in real life.

Science communication is one of her passions: helping people overcome their fears about science and mathematics, and delivering information in digestible and enjoyable ways. She has presented her work at several scientific conferences and other events; at Oxford, she was awarded the first prize for the university’s best popularized talk in the Sciences in her year. She was also one of the finalists at the Cyprus FAMELAB 2011 competition, and the coordinator of the first science festival in Cyprus.

She is fascinated by real stories that sound like fiction, and in her spare time she also dabbles in film-making, and some other artsy things.

Doros Polydorou | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Doros is a multi-disciplinary hybrid, combining both art and technology skills, which he believes are necessary in order to survive in the new media world. He studied Multimedia Design and Technology and was awarded a BSc from the University of Kent and an MSc in Computer Animation from the same university. Continuing, he moved to London where he started studying under Prof. Johannes Birringer, writer, choreographer and director of Digital Media in the School of Arts, Brunel University.

He has completed his PhD in Digital Performance, where after four years lost in the chasm between the artists and the scientists has developed Emmeleia: A platform that can incorporate interactive real time 3d visuals in a stage performance or installation.

During this time he did extensive work on Game Engines, Arduino boards, Processing, wireless sensors, Max/MSP and camera vision systems. He has worked on a Vicon Motion Capture system, has taken lessons on Scenography, has debated the value of Interactivity in live stage performances and has understood the importance of aesthetics. He has worked with theorists, dancers, with live music composers, sound engineers, costume designers, stage designers and an assemble of other visual artists. He has traveled for shows to Germany, Tokyo, Slovenia and Singapore and his work was presented in the Laban Center and in Sadler’s Wells theatre in London. After completing a residency in the Cute Center, in the National University of Singapore he was employed by the Art, Design and Media School in Nanyang Technological University. There he worked under robotics artist Louis-Phillipe Demers on a multi-screen, audiovisual installation which used 4 inter-connected Kinects. Currently, he is a visiting lecturer at the Cyprus University of Technology.

His research interests include Interactive 3d Graphics and their use in New Media, the role of the phenomenal body in digital media, cross-realm spatial embodiment and the stage scenography of the virtual.

Eloiza Savvidou | TEDxNicosia Speaker

By the age of 16 I was a pretty good student at school and already four consecutive times national champion in sailing. Spending all of my childhood summers by the beach, I was hooked and totally in love with this lonely and eccentric sport, which I wanted to pursue for life. Soon though, it was clear that there was ‘no future’ for me to sail in Cyprus and the need get a ‘proper’ education arose. I was heartbroken.

In the 8 years that followed, I became a lawyer, a chartered accountant and ended up working with one of the ‘BIG 4’ accounting firms in London and in Boston, USA. Experiences that have enriched me with unforgettable moments and helped me grow in many ways. However, I always remembered how it felt to do something that you love and be totally passionate about…

At 25 I quit my corporate job to backpack Australia and SE Asia searching for answers and… more questions! Returning to Cyprus I soon chose the route of entrepreneurship, feeling that this was the ideal route to re-explore forgotten dreams and talents, face fears and hopefully give back to society a share of all my experiences.

I co-founded Vryonidou and Savvidou LLC; a boutique law firm based in Limassol and I am also a co-founder of Chrysalis LEAP Ltd; the first entrepreneurship accelerator program to be in Cyprus.

Today, through the tool of entrepreneurship, I focus on using my skills and experiences to help people design their lives and businesses in a manner aligned to their dreams and talents. Through that I am hoping that they themselves someday lead happier and more fulfilling lives and give their ‘little bit’ back to the world.

İdil Seytanoglu | TEDxNicosia Speaker

İdil Seytanoglu is an Independent Consultant delivering facilitation, training and consulting services for private, not-for-profit and public sector organisations. She lives in Cyprus and works internationally and delivers courses globally in more than 30 countries; including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, the USA, Senegal, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

With more than 10 years experience, she specialises in areas such as: Leadership and Management, Organisational Development, Strategy and Impact, Learning and Development, Social Entrepreneurship

Idil is an associate of BTS Globally www.bts.com , Inspirational Development Group in the UK www.inspirationaldevelopment.com and the Management Centre of Mediterranean in northern Cyprus www.mc-med.eu, working with fortune 500 companies such as Unilever, PMI, GSK, Merck, Zurich and UCB. She is on the Board of Directors for several not-for-profit organisations in Cyprus as well as internationally.

Idil holds a Masters of Arts degree in Corporate Strategy and Governance and a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Management Studies from University of Nottingham, UK.

As a manager in the Management Centre of Mediterranean, Idil co-managed a large UNDP funded Capacity Building Programme in Cyprus working in harmony with two consortium partners Intrac from the UK and NGOSC from southern Cyprus.

She is an International Graduate of Junior Chamber International and won Junior Chamber International Turkey’s Most Outstanding Trainer award in 2009.

Idil is passionate about her work. She believes in creating an environment in which participants are engaged in learning situations, allowing them to gain knowledge and skills not only from the content but also from their peers. Through this, she aims to contribute to behavioural change and organisations improving their results.

She believes in human potential and works to empower individuals within organisations and communities.

Oren Simanian | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Founder & CEO at StarTau - Tel Aviv University Entrepreneurship Center.

Since 2009, Oren is the Founder & CEO @ StarTAU, he assists entrepreneurs to take it to the next level through various programs and through collaboration with partners. StarTAU has one of the strongest track records in the Israeli pre-seed ventures industry. Its team members are professionals with extensive experience in education, coaching, one-on-one consulting and networking. StarTau focuses on pre-seed investments, predominantly specializing in new media, web and mobile technologies.

Oren is what one calls “Entrepreneur for Entrepreneurs”. Oren has initiated and established what most people would avoid doing- internal entrepreneurship within a large organization, such as a University. Greatly motivated by belief and passion, he has rapidly become proficient in new methods across various markets, creating innovative opportunities from scratch, both in business and technology.

As a key person in the start-up ecosystem in Israel, Oren has always tried to consider new practices, traveling the world and talking to his colleagues. Reflections regarding innovation for entrepreneurship are constantly on his mind.

In order to encourage outstanding students in the spirit of entrepreneurship, especially within the minority communities, Oren has designed tailor-made programs to assist members become entrepreneurs. Committed to equal opportunities for women, Oren designed a number of entrepreneurial programs to strengthen their presence in the start up ecosystem.

The people that Oren met along his way shared with him their ideas and gave him an inspiration. They are coming from all walks of life, ranging from academia to high-tech, industry and entrepreneurship. Among them are Ehud Gazit, TAU Professor and Chair; and the Chief Scientist of Israel Ministry of Science and Technology. Uri Levine Founder at Waze and guest lecturer at StarTAU, and Arnon Joseph Co-Founder & CEO at Hoozin. Oren has been an invited speaker on entrepreneurship in Israel and abroad including Cyprus and Chile and is a graduate in Accounting and Economics from Tel Aviv University. Oren is also a Professional Football referee in the Israeli top league.

Ahmet Sozen | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Sözen received his BA from Boğaziçi University (İstanbul) in 1991. He finished his MA in International Relations at Syracuse University (USA) in 1993. He was awarded with PhD in Political Science – International Relations at University of Missouri (USA) in 1999. During his PhD dissertation fieldwork, Sözen was granted one of the fifty 1997 Paul Harris Ambassadorial Peace Scholarships on International Conflict Resolution given on a world-wide competition by International Rotary Foundation. Previously Sözen taught at University of Missouri, Middle East Technical University (Ankara), Sabancı University (İstanbul) and University of Bahçeşehir (İstanbul). Currently Ahmet Sözen is a full professor of International Relations and the Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Famagusta. Sözen is the Founding Director of CPC (Cyprus Policy Center – www.cypruspolicycenter.org) – a political think-tank established in EMU in 2004. In addition, Sözen is the founding Turkish Cypriot Co-Director of the UNDP funded program Cyprus 2015 (www.cyprus2015.org) which operated first under Interpeace (www.interpeace.org) and later became the first inter-communal think-tank called SeeD – Center for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development. Sözen has published extensively on the Cyprus conflict and Turkish foreign policy. He has also been very active on the policy and advocacy fronts. His experience over the last twenty years as a peace-activist includes peace-building and democratization processes, including participating into peace-negotiations from the first-track in Cyprus where Sözen was a member of the official Turkish Cypriot negotiation team in the UN-led peace negotiations; active involvement in second-track peace and democratization initiatives; providing training and education in the areas of conflict resolution, mediation and peace-building; designing policy recommendations based on objective participatory research with the societal stakeholders and polling. Sözen has given dozens invited speeches on conflict resolution and the Cyprus conflict in many different countries and he frequently appears on both local and Turkish media, as well as international media where he comments on world events.

Maria Vilanidou | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Maria Vilanidou (MA Communications, NYIT) has an extensive experience of 17 years in Marketing Communications on the Account Management of National and International Brands including Garnier, Carrefour, Limassol Marina, Aphrodite Hills, Jeep, Marks & Spencer, Costa Coffee, Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency, Saxo Bank, Sony Ericsson and many others. Her business experience expands in the spectrum of Business and Strategic Planning, Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing, Consultancy, New Business Development and Account Management. She has also managed and supervised Governmental and European co-funded projects as well as International Projects under most of the Ministries in Cyprus. She has also been trained in Corporate Social Responsibility by Global Education Services and the University of Seattle. She is currently the Client Service Director of Marketway/Publicis in Cyprus, a position she holds since 2007. She has been a Guest Lecturer at the Mediterranean Institute of Management for more than a decade and has led numerous workshops on how to develop a Marketing Communications Plan. She is a founding member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council in Cyprus. She loves nature and especially the sea; enjoys to hike, to photograph everything that captures her heart, to read books and to travel around the world. She is in a continuous spiritual quest; she is a student of the Clairvision School of Meditation, a member of a Dramatherapy team and a Reiki Master.

Michael R. Virardi | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Michael R. Virardi is specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations across Cyprus, the Middle East and Europe.

He has trained the likes of: Marks & Spencer, Audi, Volkswagen, AKER, Interlaw and many more.

The subjects that Michael specializes in are: Teambuilding, Leadership, Goal Setting, Customer Care, Sales

Currently at the age of 40, Michael is one of the youngest inspirational speakers in his country. His energy, enthusiasm and knowledge have made him one of the most sought out speakers at company events, training sessions and conferences.

He is has been a speaker and trainer for the last 12 years. He is also an active member of the Advisory Board of the University of Nicosia as well as a Visiting Professor at the same University. He is also the author of two best selling books which also feature on Amazon and they are: «POSITIVE IMPACT!» and «CRISIS? LET’S BEAT IT!».

Stavros A. Zenios | TEDxNicosia Speaker

Stavros A. Zenios studied mathematics at University of London, electrical engineering with the Higher Technical Institute in Cyprus, and engineering management systems at Princeton University, receiving a doctorate in 1986.

He published more than 130 scholarly articles in some of the leading journals in the fields of finance, management science and operations research. His specialization is financial risk management. He authored five books and edited seven with Cambridge University Press, Blackwell and Wiley Finance. He co-authored with Yair Censor the award-winning book "Parallel Optimization", Oxford University Press. His work was translated in Chinese and received several prizes and awards. His publication record has h-index 41 on Google Scholar.

His latest book is in Greek, discussing an agenda for political reform of Cyprus in the 21st century, Papazisis Publishers, Athens, and is available in print edition and as as an e-book from www.fbrh.eu/zenios.

Currently he is studying –like many others-- the Cyprus financial crisis. His theses on navigating the financial crisis and leveraging it for growth in Cyprus are sought by local and international media as objective, constructive and innovative, amidst repetitive local propaganda.

He was a tenured associate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and held visiting appointments at MIT (USA), University of Haifa (IL), Athens University of Economics and Management (GR), University of Bergamo (IT), Universidad San Andres (AR). He lectures extensively internationally. He worked as a consultant for the World Bank and several financial institutions (none of which is currently bankrupt).

He served for eight years as the Rector of University of Cyprus, and was elected twice as President of The Universities of the European Capitals UNICA.

With his wife Nina they climbed Kilimanjaro on August 17, 2002, reaching Uhuru peak (5,895m.) at 8.20am. They are also known to dance Argentinean tango, and he proudly acknowledges that she dances much better than he.