2023 Women’s Developmental Leadership Program participants announced
Australia Awards Women Leading and Influencing (WLI) welcomes 29 emerging Pacific women leaders to join the prestigious Women’s Developmental Leadership Program in 2023.
The successful applicants from seven Pacific Island countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) are Australia Awards scholars who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential.
Through the program, each participant will be supported to develop their own leadership style, build key leadership skills and behaviours, and develop regional and country-based networks to help drive positive development change in the Pacific.
Our Women’s Developmental Leadership Program participants for 2023 are:
| Fiji | |
| Asenaca (Ruci) Barauvula | Bachelor of Psychological Science, The University of South Australia |
| Alomeci Medamaiciba | Master of Midwifery, Charles Darwin University |
| Melaia Waisale | Master of Governance and Public Policy, The University of Queensland |
| Melissa Kwan | Master of Public Policy, The Australian National University |
| Kritika Kumar | Master of Nursing Science, The University of Adelaide |
| Sereima Dibula Koli | Master of Environmental Engineering, Griffith University |
| Siteri Kamikamica | Master of Laws, The University of Melbourne |
| Taina Waqaliva | Master of Food Science, The University of Melbourne |
| Vasenai Sakalai | Master of Midwifery Studies, The University of Newcastle |
| Kiribati | |
| Victoria Hnanguie | Master of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland |
| Nauru | |
| Constantina Depaune | Bachelor of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology |
| Papua New Guinea | |
| Beautlyn Eliab | Master of International Community Development, Victoria University |
| Cecilia Watmelik | Master of Information Systems, Central Queensland University |
| Cherolyn Pokawin Polomon | PhD, Health Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney |
| Erita Yawi | PhD, Education, Victoria University |
| Kurande Kupeng | Master of Public Health; Master of Business Administration, James Cook University |
| Maria John | Master of Disability Policy and Practice, Flinders University |
| Maryanne Maga | Master of Midwifery, The University of Newcastle |
| Melinda Matanu | Master of Global Health; Master of Health Leadership and Management, The University of New South Wales |
| Ruth Javati | Bachelor of Human Services, Queensland University of Technology |
| Sophia Tuna | Bachelor of Sport Management, Victoria University |
| Susan Aipit | Master of Public Health, James Cook University |
| Teisi Kalamo | Master of Applied Anthropology and Development, The Australian National University |
| Solomon Islands | |
| Koisau Sade | Bachelors of Arts and Social Science, The University of Queensland |
| Lanique Pitasua | Master of Public Health, The Australian National University |
| Vanuatu | |
| Daisy Rose Sipiti | Bachelor of Business, Victora University |
| Debbie Fred | Master of Public Health; Master of Business Administration, James Cook University |
| Melissa Velvel Fare | Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science; Bachelor of Business Management (International Business), Flinders University |
| Tuvalu | |
| Teresa Lifuka-Drecala | Master of Law and Development, The University of Melbourne |
Sincere thanks to all those scholars who applied for the WDLP. We encourage all unsuccessful applicants to re-apply for the 2024 Women’s Developmental Leadership Program (in late 2023) and to keep an eye out for the upcoming LeadershipConnect online program, starting in March.
Further information will be provided soon.