TEDxMolos Women 2024 celebrated the New Era of Leadership
TEDxMolos Women 2024 took place on 26th September at the historic Plefsis Hall in Limassol’s Old Port, celebrating women-led change and leadership. Just like TEDxMolos in March, it sold out long before the event.
The event, themed “Soft Power: New Era of Leadership,” explored the evolving role of women in leadership, focusing on how empathy, collaboration, and subtle influence are driving societal progress.
The evening was filled with insights, inspiration, and a shared sense of purpose, featuring six TED-style talks, live harp music, and networking opportunities. The speaker Sandra Da Silva delivered a heartfelt talk on imposter syndrome, sharing her personal journey and offering strategies to live it peacefully and overcome self-doubt. Farah Shammas spoke on the significance of small actions in shaping the universe, inspiring the audience to recognize the value of every contribution. Alena Perminova provided a powerful perspective on how feminine power can transform environments, encouraging women to succeed while remaining authentic.
Mikaela Milicuri captivated the audience with her exploration of art's profound impact on life and well-being, offering new insights into its role in society. Donna Stephenson shared her entrepreneurial journey, emphasising the importance of inner strength and self-belief while building a successful, environmentally conscious business. Memnia Papadopoulou discussed the importance of soft power in education and showcased how businesses can empower women in the workplace helping with daycare facilities.
We asked some of the speakers what inspired them to join TEDxMolos Women.
Donna: Personal challenges and the challenges of building several businesses have taught me the importance of inner strength and aligning life with core values. TEDxMolos Women is a great platform to share this message, especially to women facing challenges in their work or their personal lives. I hope to inspire confidence and encourage them to keep moving forward.
Farah: TED talks have always been a source of inspiration, not just for me but for people all over the world. They’ve transformed how we think and view the world by giving a platform to so many diverse voices and experiences. Speaking at TEDxMolos Women is something I once only dreamed of. We all have a purpose, even if it’s not always clear, and in today’s world, with the pressures of social media and external expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of that. My hope is to remind people that they’re special, they’re enough, and to keep being themselves because that’s what makes them amazing.
Memnia: I have always been inspired to speak at a Tedx, and TEDxMolos Women is a unique and inspiring opportunity that allows me to share my personal journey. I’ve faced challenges that have shaped who I am today and I am particularly passionate about how education can be a catalyst for developing soft power and creating inspiring leaders.Through initiatives like ICan Kids and ICan School, I have witnessed how education gives power to women to utilise their full potential. Such initiatives allow women to balance their various roles, while also pursuing leadership opportunities in their professional lives.
Mikaela: As an art advisor and curator, my experience has shown that art goes beyond aesthetics, shaping identities, communities, and legacies. The insights I share in this talk are informed by extensive academic research of a doctoral level into the inner workings of the art market, consumer culture, and the psychological and sociological foundations of value systems. TEDxMolos Women offers an ideal platform to convey my passion for how intentional art collecting can spark personal growth and cultural change. Through this talk, I hope to inspire others to see art not just as an investment, but as a powerful catalyst for social impact and transformation.
In addition to the impactful talks, attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet, complimentary drinks, and memorable gifts from the sponsors and organisers. The event’s signature 3D TEDxMolos Women logo also provided a fantastic backdrop for memorable photos, enhancing the community spirit. The event was made possible by the support of industry leaders CAPSBOLD, BBF, Adsterra, and Mayflower. So, we asked the sponsors about their motivation for supporting TEDxMolos Women.
Alina Miroshnychenko, CMO at CAPSBOLD:
"At CAPSBOLD, we are committed to supporting initiatives that inspire bold ideas and actions. Sponsoring TEDxMolos Women is the perfect fit for our tagline, 'Be Seen. Be Bold.' This event provides a platform for individuals whose creative vision can spark meaningful change. As Cyprus continues to grow as a hub for innovative ideas, we’re excited to be a part of an event that brings together thought leaders and change-makers. We believe that true impact comes from having the courage to be seen, to stand out, and to make a difference through creativity and innovative solutions."
Elena Petropavlovskaya, Global Commercial Director at BBF:
"We see TEDxMolos Women as a platform that embraces diversity through female leadership in the business realm and beyond, which aligns with the current trends in Limassol—a city evolving into a diverse hub of people, ideas, and cultures. At BBF, we embrace diversity across all our functions—whether in nationality, gender, or occupation—reflecting our values to create an environment where everyone feels valuable and unique.
Despite being in the often male-dominated real estate and construction industry, 51% of our employees are female, demonstrating strong female leadership, supported by our male leaders. Sponsoring TEDxMolos Women reflects the values we hold dear, especially with its theme, 'Soft Power: New Era of Leadership.' This resonates with our belief in empowering 'soft power' skills, drawing on the versatility of women’s unique strengths in diverse roles."
Catherine Tarasova, PR Director at Adsterra:
"Adsterra is thrilled to sponsor TEDxMolos Women, as supporting initiatives that empower women is deeply embedded in our company’s DNA. We were part of the foundation of Women in Tech Cyprus and proudly sponsor the AEL Women Basketball Team, so it felt only natural to extend our support to TEDxMolos Women.
At Adsterra, we champion diversity and inclusion, with 25% of our tech personnel being women and over 50% women across the organisation, including a majority of women in C-level positions. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering leadership, innovation, and equal opportunities for women in all areas of life."
Olesia Balashova, HR Brand Manager at Mayflower:
"For us at Mayflower, TEDx conferences have always represented something bigger—global issues and ideas that resonate with people from all walks of life. This aligns perfectly with our company’s values. We’re all about tackling meaningful challenges and contributing to discussions that matter, and TEDxMolos Women is a fantastic platform for that. Supporting such events allows us to engage with topics that inspire positive change, both locally and globally."
