“Change often starts with small, consistent acts of kindness and responsibility. Businesses have the power not only to grow economically but also to positively influence the communities around them. When you choose to give back, you create an impact that goes beyond numbers or business success. You create opportunities, hope and human connections,” says Natasha Michaelides, President of the ENAVSMA Foundation.
“You may lose everything but no-one can ever take away your knowledge.” This core belief, instilled in the foundation by Michaelides’ father following the Turkish invasion in 1974, serves as the charitable institution’s founding principle. Here, she talks about ENAVSMA’s activities and achievements, and shares her ambitions for its future.
What drew you to create the ENAVSMA Foundation and what is its core mission?
At its core, ENAVSMA was created to give talented young people the opportunity to continue their education in the face of financial limitations. We believe that education can change lives and create opportunities that extend far beyond the individual. The inspiration for the foundation was my father, Alecos Michaelides, who lost everything after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and had to rebuild his life from the beginning. He always used to tell us: “You may lose everything but no-one can ever take away your knowledge.” That belief became the foundation of ENAVSMA. In 2018, that vision found a natural partner in Round Table 7 Paphos. United by a shared commitment to education, personal development and social contribution, Thanos Hotels & Resorts and Round Table 7 Paphos transformed their joint scholarship initiative into what is now the ENAVSMA Foundation. From the very beginning, dedicated individuals, including our Vice-President, Leondios Tselepos, played an important role in shaping and advancing this mission. We wanted to create not only scholarships but hope and opportunity for young people with ambition, values and potential.
What has been the most important lesson for you since setting up the Foundation?
The biggest lesson has been that even the smallest act of support can completely change someone’s future. Through this journey, I have learned to listen more carefully and to appreciate the value of things that are often taken for granted. I also realised that giving is never a one-sided act. While you may help someone else move forward, you yourself receive something equally valuable in return: perspective, purpose and a deeper understanding of human needs.
What are some of the most significant activities organised by the Foundation?
Since its establishment in 2018, ENAVSMA has awarded 37 postgraduate scholarships in Cyprus and abroad, with total funding exceeding €185,000. Our students have gone on to study at institutions such as Harvard, Cambridge, Imperial College and other internationally respected universities. What moves me most are the personal stories behind these achievements. I remember one student telling us that, without the Foundation’s support, she would have abandoned her dream of continuing her studies. Today, many of our scholars are building successful careers in Cyprus and abroad, while others continue with doctoral studies. Seeing their growth and confidence is the greatest success story for us.
What does the ENAVSMA Foundation hope to achieve in the coming years and what will that mean for Cyprus?
Our vision is to expand the number of scholarships and create even more opportunities for young people who have talent and determination but lack financial resources. We also hope to build a strong alumni network and develop educational initiatives within Cyprus that encourage innovation, leadership and social responsibility. For Cyprus, this means investing in the next generation of thinkers, professionals and leaders. It means empowering young people to return to society with knowledge, experience and values that can positively shape the future of our country.
What would you say to entrepreneurs who may be considering some involvement in charitable work but haven’t yet taken the first step?
I would tell them that their social contribution does not have to begin with something large or complicated. Change often starts with small, consistent acts of kindness and responsibility. Businesses have the power not only to grow economically but also to positively influence the communities around them. When you choose to give back, you create impact that goes beyond numbers or business success. You create opportunities, hope and human connections. And in many ways, what you receive emotionally and personally is far greater than what you give.
This interview first appeared in the 2026 edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management. Click here to view it.
