As Life Changing Ideas marks its tenth anniversary, co-founder and Head of the program Maro Ftelleha reflects on a decade of transformation, not just for the initiative itself, but for leadership education in Cyprus.

When Maro Ftelleha launched Life Changing Ideas in collaboration with the University of Nicosia ten years ago, her vision was simple yet ambitious: to bring some of the world’s most influential thinkers to Cyprus. What began as an inspirational speaker series, has evolved into a comprehensive executive leadership program, designed to equip professionals with the skills and mindset to thrive amid uncertainty and rapid change.

The Evolution: From Speaker Series to Executive Training

Over the years, Life Changing Ideas has shifted from inspiration to transformation. Today, it offers a series of focused leadership masterclasses led by internationally acclaimed experts. The program’s latest chapter, titled Impact Players, represents its most complete offering yet, blending four masterclasses and a flagship summit into a full-circle experience for executives.

The annual Experience Summit, traditionally held each February, has become a staple of the Cypriot business calendar. 

This year’s lineup features globally recognized educators, including David Lewis, Costas Markides, Mark Ritson, Pantelis Solomon, Nicos Savva, and Tatiana Kolovou, all bringing expertise from institutions such as the London Business School and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

The Impact Players: Leading Through Change

The theme for 2025–2026, Impact Players, reflects the type of professionals today’s organizations need most: adaptable, collaborative, and purpose-driven.

“An impact player is someone who steps up in times of uncertainty,” Ftelleha explains. “They motivate their teams, deliver results with humility, and combine forward thinking with strong interpersonal skills. These are the leaders who keep organizations moving forward.”

Lessons From a Decade of Leadership

After ten years of hosting some of the world’s most influential thinkers, Ftelleha says the biggest lesson is that leadership starts with purpose. “Leaders need to have a clear purpose and communicate it effectively,” she says. “It’s about giving people clarity and direction so they can align with a shared vision.”

Equally vital, she adds, is maintaining a growth mindset. “The leaders who inspire others are the ones who stay curious, who are willing to learn, fail, adapt, and grow. Adaptability is everything.”

The Future: Expanding Beyond Borders

Looking ahead, Ftelleha envisions Life Changing Ideas becoming even more global. With the University of Nicosia’s new Athens campus set to open, plans are underway to expand executive education offerings to an international audience. “The new campus will be embedded with technology, AI, and innovation,” she says. “It will allow us to attract global executives to train in a truly future-focused environment.”

The Lineup: A World-Class Learning Experience

The Impact Players cycle features:

• Collaborative Leadership & Problem Solving with David Lewis (November 2025)

• Brace for Impact Summit with Costas Markides and Mark Ritson (February 2026)

• Strategic Decision-Making with Pantelis Solomon (March 2026)

• The Influential Communicator with Tatiana Kolovou (April 2026)

• AI Leadership with Nicos Savva (May 2026)

Each masterclass is limited to 50 participants, fostering intimate, interactive discussions, while the summit welcomes over 200 executives, both in person and online.

As Ftelleha sums it up: “Impact is about results - not just financial ones, but creating great teams, strong cultures, and workplaces where people feel empowered to make a difference. That’s the kind of leadership Cyprus - and the world - needs right now.”

For more information about the Impact Players cycle, visit ideas.unic.ac.cy