Yesterday, on behalf of the Cyprus Business Group, I had the pleasure of covering the 1st Mediterranean Leadership & Coaching Summit, organized by the ICF Cyprus Chapter Ltd, and what a remarkable event it was.

First and foremost, congratulations are in order for Yury Zachek, President of the chapter, for building something truly impressive in such a short time. To establish a professional chapter and fill a room with 150 engaged participants in less than two years is no small achievement. It speaks not only to vision and leadership but also to the growing relevance of coaching and conscious leadership in Cyprus.

Now, I must admit, my Swiss heart had a particularly joyful moment during the day. The event started exactly on time. Not only that, every speaker and panel followed the schedule with precision. Anyone who has lived in Cyprus will understand why this deserves special mention. Punctuality here can sometimes be… flexible. So witnessing a full-day event run seamlessly and on time was not only refreshing, it was impressive.

The third well-deserved compliment goes to the venue, the Amathus Beach Hotel, which once again delivered excellence on every level. From the elegant setting to the attentive service and delicious food, it provided the perfect environment for a high-caliber professional gathering.

At the heart of the summit was a clear and powerful mission: to elevate the coaching profession and uphold the highest ICF standards in Cyprus. The vision goes beyond the coaching community itself, aiming to actively collaborate with local businesses and educational institutions, fostering both personal growth and employee development.

The summit brought together business owners, HR professionals, and coaches, all seeking to better understand how to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. The focus throughout the day was clear, modern leadership requires not only strategy and performance but also resilience, emotional intelligence, and a human-centered approach.

An impressive lineup of international speakers delivered powerful insights and practical tools. Among them was Marilyn Atkinson, a true pioneer in the coaching world, whose decades of global experience have shaped generations of leaders and coaches. Her presence alone set the tone for the level of excellence this summit aimed to achieve.

Also taking the stage was Sandra Da Silva, whose passion for helping individuals create inspired lives was both evident and contagious. Her work in emotional intelligence and personal transformation resonated strongly with the audience.

Niki Smirni brought a fresh and dynamic perspective, blending entrepreneurship, mindfulness, and leadership in a way that felt both modern and deeply relevant. Meanwhile, Panayiotis Thrasyvoulou offered valuable insights from the corporate world, sharing practical approaches to helping organizations adapt and become future-ready.

Following these inspiring talks, the summit moved into a highly relevant panel discussion focusing on the future of leadership, an area currently being shaped at the intersection of technology, human behavior, and decision-making.

The panel brought together an exceptional group of leaders who are actively influencing this transformation. Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, shared perspectives on national strategy in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Frank Kolpasky contributed insights on building high-performing global teams through a combination of data-driven decision-making and people-first leadership.

Andrey Kostyuk highlighted the role of AI-driven coaching platforms in scaling leadership development, while Anastasia Yuryeva brought depth and balance with her expertise in coaching and performance at scale. The discussion was expertly moderated by Dr. Natalia Kardash, who guided the conversation with clarity, experience, and a strong sense of direction.

What made this session particularly powerful was its practicality. It addressed real-world challenges leaders are facing today, how to integrate artificial intelligence without losing the human connection, how to balance performance with well-being, and how to remain effective in times of constant change. The message was clear: the future of leadership is already here, and those who combine technological awareness with emotional intelligence will be the ones who thrive.

In addition, participants had access to interactive workshops designed for immediate organisational application. These hands-on sessions added another valuable dimension to the summit, allowing attendees not only to absorb knowledge but to actively apply tools and concepts in a practical and meaningful way.

Beyond the content, what truly stood out was the sense of community. Conversations flowed naturally during breaks, connections were made, and there was a shared energy in the room, a collective desire to grow, learn, and contribute.

As the day came to an end, one thing was evident: this was not just a one-off event. It felt like the beginning of something meaningful, a platform for ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and growth in the Mediterranean region.

For a first summit, the bar has been set remarkably high, and if this is what can be achieved in less than two years, it will be very exciting to see what comes next.

Elisabeth Villiger Toufexis, CBG Magazine Editor

Author: Elisabeth V. Toufexis

Elisabeth Villiger Toufexis Elisabeth Villiger Toufexis is a woman of resilience and courage, who has navigated life’s turbulences, tamed her fears, and undertaken an incredible...