Women Leaders Paving The Way - Int. Women’s Day Panel

Join us this International Women’s Day (Monday 8 March) for an uplifting kōrero on how we bring women to the decision-making table.

In partnership with UCOL Public Talks and Te Aho Tāmaka, we’ve gathered three powerful leaders for the evening – Vanisa Dhiru, Dr Farah Palmer, and Jacinta Gulasekharam. They’ll be discussing how success is bringing others along with you, key moments in their journeys, and what an equal future looks like (the United Nations’ theme for this International Women’s Day). There will also be a chance to ask your own questions.

Nibbles and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Starting from 5:30pm, the event will be hosted in UCOL Manawatū’s Atrium, access through Princess Street main entrance. Please RSVP to nina.mercer@ceda.nz

Speakers

Each of our wāhine are passionately involved in a different field:

- Vanisa Dhiru is a Te Aho Tāmaka Manawatū Leader, a champion for equality and was recently recognised in the New Year Honours for services to community and gender rights. A CEO by age 30 for Volunteering NZ, Vanisa now holds a commissioner role with the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, is a former president of the National Council of Women NZ, holds advisory roles with NGO’s and government agencies and much more.

- Dr Farah Palmer is also a Te Aho Tāmaka Manawatū Leader. Former captain of the Black Ferns, Farah led the team to victory in three consecutive World Cups. Since her retirement from rugby, Farah has worked to bring about social and cultural change through education, strategic decision-making, and storytelling. She was the first women on the NZ Rugby Board and is Chair of the NZ Māori Rugby Board.

- Jacinta Gulasekharam is the co-founder of Dignity, a social enterprise that has created access to over 30,000 sustainable period products. She’s also a First Foundation mentor, campaign leader, Edmund Hillary Fellow, and was Women of Influence Young Leader Finalist for 2020. Outside of her entrepreneur work, Jacinta is the Partnership Manager at FlexiTime.