Stony Brook University and the Stelios Foundation: A Synergistic Partnership
Stony Brook University, a public higher education institution, shares a common goal with the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation: supporting students from families with limited means. This commitment is central to Stony Brook's mission, and it aligns with the Stelios Foundation's diversified range of good causes.
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation: Aiding Good Causes
Founded in 2011 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation supports a wide array of charitable endeavors across six countries: the UK, Ireland, Monaco, France, Greece, and Cyprus. Stelios, born in Athens in 1967 and a dual citizen of Cyprus and the UK, is best known for creating the easy family of brands, starting with easyJet.com in 1994. The steady stream of royalties from the easy family of brands funds his philanthropic work.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou: From Entrepreneur to Philanthropist
Stelios' entrepreneurial journey began with the support of his father, Loucas Haji-Ioannou, a Greek-Cypriot shipping magnate. In 2000, he floated easyJet on the London Stock Exchange to fund the expansion of its fleet. Today, easyJet operates over 340 Airbus aircraft and carries around 100 million passengers annually. Stelios and his family remain the largest single shareholder, with approximately 15% of the company.
The Stelios Foundation's Trustees: Guiding Philanthropic Efforts
The Stelios Foundation is guided by a board of trustees with diverse backgrounds and extensive experience:
Donald Manasse: A practicing lawyer and author of legal texts, Donald has been based in Nice and Monaco for over two decades. He is admitted to several Bar Associations, including those in New York, Connecticut, and Nice, France.
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David Watson: With a career in the senior banking sector spanning four decades, primarily with Citibank, David has served as CEO of Piraeus Bank and is currently a Director at EFG Eurobank Ergasias in Athens. He has also served on the boards of easyGroup Holdings, EFG Eurobank, and J & P Avax.
Jean-Claude Eude: Based in Monaco, Jean-Claude served as Director of the Compagnie Monegasque de Banque and later as Managing Director of the Monaco Bankers’ Association.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou: The founder of EasyJet and President of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.
Rena Panou: Rena has extensive experience in financial services and the wider business sector. She has held senior positions in management and financial services consulting, worked at Laiki Group, and served as Chairperson of The Cyprus Development Bank. Since 2020, she has been an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Boards of Eurobank SA and Eurobank Holdings in Greece.
Peter Barton: Peter's career spanned over 20 years as a corporate lawyer, followed by 13 years as an investment banker in the City of London. He was the High Sheriff and subsequently a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London.
Nikos Mourkogiannis: A business consultant, honorary lawyer, and author, Nikos is a member of the Board of Directors of the Stelios Chatziioannou Charitable Foundation and an honorary professor at the Cass Business School. He is the author of "Purpose: The Starting Point of Great Companies."
Stelios Foundation Initiatives
The Stelios Foundation actively supports various initiatives and events:
Stelios Bi-Communal Awards for Business Co-operation in Cyprus: These awards celebrate the achievements of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs working together. In 2025, the awards distributed €410,000, bringing the Foundation’s total contribution to the initiative since its inception in 2009 to €4.8 million.
Hosting Charitable Gatherings: The Stelios Foundation hosts events such as the annual gathering of Les Anges Gardiens de Nice, a charitable association supporting the vulnerable.
Supporting Healthcare: The Foundation supports healthcare initiatives, such as the inauguration of the new Simulator of Connected Apartment at The Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco.
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Book Launches: The Foundation hosts book launches, such as the launch of "It's a Dog's Life - Monaco" at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Monaco.
Stony Brook University Foundation
Stony Brook University has its own foundation (stonybrook.edu/foundation), which is responsible for managing private funds on the University’s behalf. The foundation adheres to Accounting Standards Board and IRS regulations.
Financial Aid and Fundraising
Student scholarship and fellowship support are priorities for the Stony Brook University Foundation. A fundraising campaign concluded in 2018 raised $52.6 million for financial aid. The University's fees are in line with peer institutions.
Collaboration and Impact
While the specific details of collaboration between Stony Brook University and the Stelios Foundation are not explicitly outlined in the provided information, their shared commitment to supporting students from families with limited means suggests a potential for synergistic partnerships. The Stelios Foundation's broad philanthropic reach and Stony Brook University's focus on public higher education create opportunities for collaboration in areas such as:
- Scholarship Programs: The Stelios Foundation could contribute to Stony Brook's scholarship programs, providing financial assistance to deserving students.
- Fellowship Opportunities: The Foundation could support fellowship opportunities for Stony Brook students, enabling them to pursue research or other academic endeavors.
- Faculty Awards: The Stelios Foundation could fund faculty awards, recognizing excellence in teaching and research.
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