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Pacific Panel: Advancing women in business and leadership
Across the Pacific, women are leading change — in business, sport, government, and community. This panel brought together some of the region's most inspiring voices to examine what progress looks like, and what it will take to go further.
At this special FDC–Lowy Institute event, leading experts and practitioners from across the Pacific gathered to discuss the advancement of women in the region — and why gender equality is not just a matter of justice, but essential to addressing the local and global challenges that Pacific nations face.
The discussion featured special introductory remarks from Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and was moderated by Dr Jessica Collins, Research Fellow on the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute. Panellists drew on their remarkable experience across business, leadership, sport, and economic empowerment — sharing stories of success and candid reflections on where meaningful gains remain to be made.
This Pacific Panel is supported by the Foundation for Development Cooperation, which established the FDC Pacific Fellowship in conjunction with the Lowy Institute.
Stephanie Copus Campbell AM is Australia's Ambassador for Gender Equality.
Lailanie Burnes is a Westpac Women in Business Executive "Manager of the Year" awardee, host of Fiji's first dedicated women's sports television program Soaring Marama, World Rugby Women in Rugby Leadership Scholar, Fijian Drua and Super Rugby commentator, and former captain of the Fijian Women's Rugby team.
Dr Fiona Hukula is Policy Adviser for Gender Equality at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and PNG National Research Institute, and a former member of the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee and the Sorcery Accusation and Related Violence Action Committee.
Loau Donina Va'a is CEO of the Samoan Ministry for Women, Community and Social Development, Chair of the Pacific Women's Professional and Business Network, former Board member of the NSW Council for Pacific Communities, and founder of the first Pacific Women's Network in Australia.
Featuring
Penny Wong
Senator the Hon Penny Wong is Foreign Minister of Australia.
Jessica Collins
Dr Jessica Collins was Project Director of the Australia-PNG Network and a Research Fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute.
