Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides was born in Lemesos in February 1977. She originally hails from occupied Ammochostos. With the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, they have four girls, Ioanna, Ekaterini, Despina and Phoebe. She studied International and European Studies at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens and holds a Masters’ degree in War Studies from King’s College London. In 2021, she obtained a law degree from the University of Cyprus. She served, inter alia, as Advisor to the President of the Republic of Cyprus on European Affairs (2018-2021), Deputy Secretary General for European Affairs (2020-2022) and Head of the Crisis Management Department (until February 2023). Since October 2024, she is Head of Directorate for Schengen and Consular Affairs as Minister Plenipotentiary. As First Lady, she carries out a wide range of charitable work and is committed to the well-being of all children, as well as the support of families and mothers. She focuses on ensuring equal access to education, promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in a more equitable society, supporting small businesses, and encouraging Cypriot culture and the arts. She is the Chairwoman of the Independent Social Support Body, as well as of the Radiomarathon Management Committee and the Board of Directors of the School for the Deaf. In addition, she is Honorary Chairwoman of the Pancyprian Organisation of Large Families, the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council, as well as several other charitable institutions. She promotes corporate social responsibility. Since March 2023, she has undertaken the initiative to restore the historic buildings of the Presidency, highlight the history and culture and revamp the art and antiquities collection in all the halls of the Presidential Palace, as well as to transform the Presidential Palace into a zero-waste building. Furthermore, she has converted the Presidential Garden into a modern educational farm. Her vision is that all these areas become accessible to children, as well as to the public, for educational and recreational purposes.