Back to Current Cohort Lisa Tepu
Papua New Guinea
Master of Laws
The University of Melbourne, VIC
Lisa is a lawyer who was practicing as a Senior Legal Officer in Papua New Guinea prior to taking up her Australia Award. A lifelong interest in learning about leadership, and the opportunity to learn about it from personal and professional perspectives, is what prompted her to apply for the Women’s Leadership Initiative.
Once she returns home, Lisa plans to use her skills to contribute to solutions to climate change, and address challenges relating to sustainability, trade, health, and women’s rights.
Jo Podlesak
Regional Lead, Gender and Citizen Justice Programs Lead, Oxfam Pacific, VIC
Jo is an experienced humanitarian and development sector leader currently working as Oxfam Pacific’s Regional Lead for Gender and Citizen Justice Programs. Her 25 years of humanitarian and development practise experience across diverse contexts in Africa, Asia, Pacific and the Middle East have honed her skills in adaptive management in volatile and complex emergencies, systems thinking to address inequality, and promote locally-led solutions to these issues.
A compassionate and pragmatic feminist, Jo is constantly seeking innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality and promoting diversity and inclusivity.