[Pictured: 2023 WLI Women's Developmental Leadership Program participants]
WLI welcomes 29 emerging Pacific women leaders accepted join the prestigious Women’s Developmental Leadership Program in 2023.
The successful applicants from six Pacific Island countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands 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.
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
Teresa Lifuka-Drecala; Master of Law and Development, 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
Sophie 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, Victoria 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.
The WLI team extends sincere thanks to all scholars who applied to participate in the program. 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 opportunities to participate in the online LeadershipConnect program.
