Management committee
The Management Committee, consisting of nine members, operates voluntarily and is responsible for the fair distribution of the Foundation’s financial resources. The wife of the President of the Republic participates and chairs the Committee. In addition, four of the members of the Committee are ex officio and include the Attorney General, the Director of Internal Audit, the Director of the Department of Social Welfare Services, and the President of the All Cyprus Medical Association or their representatives.
During the year, the Committee meets several times to consider applications submitted by or for children with special needs. The majority of applications are evaluated by small groups (2-3 Committee members) and approved by the overall group. Applications with special characteristics are considered directly by the overall Committee. Applications concerning medical treatment are first studied by the representative of the Medical Association.
President
The President of Radiomarathonios Foundation Management Committee, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, was born in Limassol on February 24th, 1977. She is married to Nikos Christodoulides and has four daughters: Ioanna, Ekaterini, Despina and Phoeve.
She is a graduate of The Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens with a Bachelor degree in International and European Studies. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in War Studies from the Kings College of London. In 2021 she acquired a Law Degree from the University of Cyprus.
She joined the Diplomatic Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus in November 1999, serving in several positions in Cyprus and abroad. She served at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the United Kingdom, at the Embassy in Athens and at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus in Brussels during the first Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. She served as the Head of the Crisis Management Department, as the Deputy Secretary General for European Union Affairs and as the Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President and Sherpa.
As the First Lady, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, is the honorary president of various charitable institutions. Her actions and initiatives focus on the well-being of children, including their right to equal access to education particularly for all those who come from poverty-affected families. She strives for social inclusion and equality rights for children and adults with disabilities as well as for the protection of the environment, raising environmental awareness.
As President of the Radiomarathonios Foundation, she envisions a practical and methodical approach towards the equal and equitable support of people with disabilities and all related institutions. Her main objective is to support all necessary initiatives so as effective and high-quality services are provided, contributing to the welfare of people with disabilities and to a fairer, more inclusive world, where all people are treated equally, in dignity and with respect.
Vice President
With a PhD in Counseling Psychology, Antigoni brings a wealth of expertise to the organization. She currently works remotely as a Clinical Lead for an online psychotherapy platform in the United Kingdom, where she oversees clinical practices and ensures the highest standard of care. Additionally, she is training to become a systemic psychotherapist, further expanding her skills in providing comprehensive therapeutic support.
Inspired by her grandfather’s wisdom that “we will not be remembered for what we took from this world, but for what we gave,” Antigoni is dedicated to ensuring that children with special needs can be integrated and live fulfilling lives as equal members of our society.
Director of Internal Audit of the Republic – Treasurer
Mrs. Anna Zavvou was born in Nicosia. She graduated from Pallouriotissa High School with distinction and later studied Mathematical Economics at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.
She is a certified accountant-auditor, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC). She is also a member of the International Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
She holds the following professional qualifications: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certification in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). These titles are internationally recognized and are obtained through examinations combined with the required experience in internal auditing.
In addition to these professional qualifications, Mrs. Zavvou holds the title of Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
Mrs. Zavvou worked for ten years in audit firms in London and Cyprus. In 1994, she was employed as an Accountant in the Financial Services of the Cyprus Electricity Authority, and since 1996, she worked in the Internal Audit Directorate of the organization. From April 2013, she served as the Head of Internal Audit, a position she held until December 6, 2015.
On November 5, 2015, the Council of Ministers decided to appoint Mrs. Anna Zavvou as the Commissioner of Internal Audit of the Republic of Cyprus, effective from December 7, 2015, the date she assumed her new duties.
Mrs. Zavvou has been the President of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Institute of Internal Auditors since July 1, 2020.
In 2020, as part of the “16th CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Management Forum & Awards,” she was awarded the “Public Sector Finance Award” in recognition of her contributions, achievements, and professional excellence in the field of financial management and administration.
On November 24, 2021, the Council of Ministers renewed Mrs. Zavvou’s term for another six years, from December 7, 2021, to December 6, 2027.
Secretary
Representative of the Attorney General of the Republic
Welfare Office Representative
Representative of the Pancypriot Medical Association
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism specialty at Cornell-New York Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Bellevue and New York University School of Medicine (1995-1999). For the last 3 years before his repatriation to Cyprus he belonged to the teaching staff of the New York University School of Medicine. During the academic year 2000-2001 he was awarded the title of “Best University Teacher”, a title usually awarded to university teachers at much older ages. In the clinical field he headed the Diabetes Program at the VA Hospital in Manhattan. As a clinician he was honored by the American Diabetes Association for the high quality of medical care he provided to his patients. In the research field he has published clinical and laboratory studies on reproduction and pituitary disorders. His research on gene damage that causes dubious genitalia was awarded first prize in a global competition of the American Endocrinological Society. He belongs to the group of doctors who correct the writings (reviewers) published in the scientific journal Journal Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism. Doctor Stavros Stavrou also belonged to the team of doctors who prepare questions for the American Board of Pathology Pan-American Internal Pathology exams.
He was President of the Endocrinology Society and President of the Obesity Society.
He was President (6 years) and Secretary (6 years) of the Nicosia Kyrenia Medical Association “Ippokrates”.
Member
Βorn in Kyrenia and graduated from Kyrenia High School. After graduating, she worked for four years at the Famagusta Children’s Home, where contact with the needs of the community prompted her to continue her studies in Athens, obtaining a degree in Social Studies.
Returning to Cyprus in 1972, she assumed the position of Director of the Children’s Center of the Municipality of Kyrenia, where she worked until the Turkish Invasion of 1974. In 1975 she was appointed Social Worker in the Social Welfare Services, serving for 34 years.
During her tenure, she received significant opportunities for further education through scholarships. In 1976-77, with a scholarship from the Government of Israel, he completed studies in Community Development. In 1982, on a British Council scholarship, he completed an MA and PhD in Social Work, Community Development and Research at the University of Bradford. In 1992, on a Fulbright scholarship, he attended programs in the USA in Family Therapy and Community Volunteer Initiative Program Management.
In 2005 she retired as Director of Social Welfare Services, completing a 34-year career in the field. From 2006 to 2018 she worked as an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the European University of Cyprus.
Today, she remains an active member of various voluntary organizations such as the Red Cross, the Radiomarathon Foundation and the Cyprus Volunteer Council, continuing to contribute to the community through her action and experience.
Member
Maria Papa is an experienced accountant with extensive service in both the public and private sectors of Cyprus. She began her career in 1986 as an auditor at Coopers and Lybrand, where she worked until 1991. She then joined the General Accounting Office of the Republic of Cyprus, where she held various senior positions for over 20 years.
During her time at the General Accounting Office, she was appointed as an Accountant at the Ministry of the Interior and later at the Ministry of Transport and Works, where she served as a Senior Accountant and Head of Departments. From 2000 to 2020, she served as a Chief Accountant, holding key roles such as Head of the Personal Benefits and Pensions Department, as well as Head of the European Funds and Financial Audit Department.
In 2011, she was appointed as the Commander of Civil Defense, a position she still holds today, following a Supreme Court decision that retroactively confirmed her appointment from 2014.
Maria Papa has a strong academic background. She is a graduate of Sandwell College with an ACCA degree and holds a Master’s in Public Sector Management from the Cyprus International Institute of Management, as well as an MBA in Oil, Gas, and Energy Management from the University of Nicosia. Additionally, she is a Certified Internal Auditor and holds a Certificate in IPSAS.
Maria Papa is married and has two children. With her extensive professional experience and academic credentials, she has made significant contributions to the public sector of Cyprus.
Member