As part of WLI’s ongoing commitment to sharing learning on women’s developmental leadership in the Pacific and how it can be effectively supported, we’re sharing the experiences of eight WLI alumni who are exercising leadership in their careers, communities and countries.
The series follows Women’s Developmental Leadership Program alumni, capturing how they have been exercising leadership since graduating and returning home, the WLI skills, knowledge, and networks they draw from, and lessons they’ve learned about themselves in the process.
Developed by WLI Research and Learning Specialist Dr Elisabeth Jackson, La Trobe University’s Centre for Human Security and Social Change (CHSSC) Research Fellows Sara Phillips and Serena Ford, and WLI Program Manager Lorissa Hazelman, the series also comes in response to requests from WLI women who want to see real examples of women’s leadership in the Pacific ‘in action’, translating what they have learned through the program into practice.
Get to know Atenasi Ata (Solomon Islands), Dorothy Jolly (PNG), Dr Ese Apinelu (Tuvalu), Greta Harris (Nauru), K. Hehea Tukuafu-Vaioleti (Tonga), Janice Ashwin (Solomon Islands), Jocelyn Loughman (Vanuatu), and Luanne Isikel (PNG) as they unpack their journeys of leading and influencing positive change in the Pacific.
How Atenasi Ata focuses on mindful growth to seize opportunities
Atenasi Ata (Solomon Islands) is a sustainable development specialist who was selected to join the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program while undertaking her Master of International Law and Master of Law and Development at the University of Melbourne.
Despite initially earning a degree in marine science and looking for a graduate role in the fisheries sector, Atenasi seized opportunities as they came, and developed a learning mindset to serve her country in many ways throughout her career; including as the CEO of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).
From boosting public-private partnerships for gendered violence prevention to strengthening local NGOs and communities to generate income sustainably, Atenasi reinforced the value of WLI lessons on mindful growth and developing networks for positive change.
[Read more about Atenasi’s leadership lessons]
How Dorothy Jolly draws on networks to achieve leadership goals
Dorothy Jolly (PNG) is an IT specialist who joined the first cohort of the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program while earning her Master of Information Technology Networks at the Queensland University of Technology.
For Dorothy, who has led a range of highly successful leadership initiatives in PNG aimed at boosting access to essential services, resources and income generation during times of disaster, leadership is about stepping up to support others.
Reflecting on her recent Leadership Fund initiative focused on replacing vital identity documents that were destroyed by fire in her local community, Dorothy reinforced the importance of working with others to achieve common goals and her approach to effective collaboration.
[Learn about Dorothy’s leadership experience]
How Dr Eselealofa Apinelu leads with respect and community understanding
When Dr Eselealofa Apinelu joined the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program, she had taken pause from her duty as the Attorney-General of Tuvalu to pursue her PhD in humanities at Swinburne University of Technology.
As Tuvalu’s first female lawyer and High Commissioner in Fiji, Dr Apinelu is highly experienced in community engagement and lives by the belief that to lead, one must first have respect for and serve their community.
Looking back on what she has learned about leadership over the years, Dr Apinelu reinforced the importance of bringing people together to address challenges collectively and drawing on the vast WLI network to tap into expertise when needed.
[Read more on Dr Ese’s leadership lessons]
Why Greta Harris uses ontological coaching to get out of her comfort zone
Greta Harris (Nauru) is a highly experienced public servant who was selected to join the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program while earning her dual Master of Public Policy / Master of Diplomacy at the Australian National University.
After completing her studies and returning home to Nauru, Greta took on highly-challenging roles within the Nauru Government’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services – including as Chief of Staff for the Minister of Health and Medical Services and later, Secretary for Health and Medical Services.
Reflecting back on the steep learning curve, Greta now reflects on the value of ongoing ontological coaching with WLI Leadership Coach Tony Liston and lessons she learned about using networks at her fingertips to drive positive change.
[Learn about Greta’s leadership journey]
How a WLI workplace opportunity changed K. Hehea Tukuafu-Violeti’s career path
When COVID-19 affected K. Hehea Tukuafu-Violeti’s plans to return home to Tonga after completing her Master of Applied Economics (Public Policy) at the University of Adelaide, she quickly pivoted to take up a WLI workplace internship opportunity that would kickstart a new career in international development.
The socio-economist and now Senior Consultant at Tetra Tech International reflected on how WLI helped her build resilience to persevere despite setbacks, map out a professional career path in international development, and connect with like-minded women all over the world.
Now working remotely from Hawaii using her expertise to support the delivery of projects in Southeast Asia, Hehea shared the positive impact of having added support of people cheering for her success.
[Read about Hehea’s leadership experience]
How Janice Ashwin draws on the WLI sisterhood to navigate work in government
Janice Ashwin (Solomon Islands) joined the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program while earning her Bachelor of Business, specialising in international trade, at Victoria University.
Currently the Chief Trade Officer at Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eternal Trade, Janice explained how her fellow WLI participants and coaches encouraged and supported her to not only apply for senior roles, but also navigate the intricacies of working in government.
Looking back on her leadership journey, Janice says a combination of hard work, staying open minded, and seizing opportunities to give back to her community have helped her get where she is today.
[Learn about Janice’s most valuable WLI lessons]
How Jocelyn Loughman drives change by focusing on team strengths
Jocelyn Loughman (Vanuatu) was selected to join the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program while completing her Master of Public Administration Australian National University, ACT.
A Program Facilitator for the Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program, Jocelyn has extensive experience in the justice system, including in monitoring and evaluation and capacity development, and a strong belief that the right opportunities can bring out the leader in all of us.
Looking back at her leadership journey and lessons learned through WLI, Jocelyn reflected on the importance of listening, observing, and acknowledging the talents and strengths of the teams and communities she is supporting in order to find and work towards solutions.
[Read more about Jocelyn’s leadership journey]
How Luanne Isikel Borle uses simple solutions to address complex problems
Luanne Isikel Borle joined the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program while earning her Master of Information Technology at the University of Canberra with the intention of using her expertise and leadership skills to address complex community challenges in simple ways.
Passionate about using IT as a tool for social change, Luanne founded New Ireland Province’s first e-Library for elementary school students and teachers who otherwise lacked access to books and learning resources.
While rolling out her Leadership Fund initiative, Luanne and her community team experienced setbacks and transport delays along the way, but they didn’t stop her adapting and forging ahead. In the process, Luanne was reminded of the importance and sometimes long process of bringing people on board with new ideas and initiatives to create positive change – especially when plans are forced to change.
[Read about Luanne’s leadership approach]