Dr. Mere Sovick currently wears two Executive Director hats: as the Founder and Executive Director of Melanesian Women Today (MWT) and as the Interim Executive Director of Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP), Canada’s only non-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to working in partnership with South Pacific Islanders and Indigenous Peoples to support empowered, thriving communities.

In addition to her roles with MWT and PPP, Mere is the creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Coming to the Mat, which shares inspiring stories of courageous women from across the South Pacific on topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship, health, education, climate change action, and social change. Beyond her professional commitments, she actively mentors high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from the U.S. and the Pacific, helping them cultivate leadership, business, and research skills.

Since founding MWT in 2014, Mere has transformed the organization into a dynamic force for change, now registered in both Seattle, Washington, USA, and Port Vila, Vanuatu, with chapters across the Melanesian region, including Fiji, PNG, the Solomon Islands, and Kanaky New Caledonia. She is the first ni-Vanuatu woman to earn a doctorate in the United States of America and one of the few women scholars with a doctorate in Vanuatu.

Mere’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up in Lavatu, a small village on Pentecost Island in northern Vanuatu, she navigated a path that took her from Port Vila to boarding school in New Zealand and a Māori Marae, before embarking on a career as a journalist, Peace Corps Vanuatu language trainer, and ultimately, a U.S. student. Her doctoral dissertation, Strategies Female Small Business Owners Use to Succeed in Business, was published in 2017, reflecting her commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.

In addition to her leadership roles, Mere is also a writer, using her platform to advocate for the empowerment of women and communities across the Pacific. Recognized for her powerhouse leadership, strategic thinking, and big-picture vision, Dr. Sovick’s ability to bridge diverse cultural perspectives fuels her passion for creating tangible, lasting impacts in the lives of women, girls, and children. With over a decade of experience in organizational leadership, writing, and academic research, Mere continues to inspire and drive meaningful change through her dedication and advocacy.

Dr Francis Bobongie-Harris is an Australian South Sea Islander and Torres Strait Islander with community connections to Mackay, Queensland and Malaita, Solomon Islands. She is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice at QUT. Her research focuses on Indigenous Education in Australia and the Pacific and Australian South Sea Islander Policy, History and Cultural studies. She specialises in ethnographic, narrative, community – led and participatory research methodologies.

Francis wants to see all girls succeed and reach their full potential and is passionate about girls education both in Australia and across the Pacific.

She is a wife to Eddie and mum to two beautiful girls Lejla and Tallullah. They split their time between Queensland, Australia and Washington DC in the USA.

Talei is from the village of Mua in the island of Batiki (located in the Lomaiviti Province of Fiji). Talei is currently the AIS Program Development Support Officer at UNDP Indonesia. Her work focuses on the conservation of the marine ecosystem in the Pacific region through mangrove planting, beach clean-ups, development of the startup ecosystem, education opportunities, and research collaborations. Talei hopes to also pursue Environmental Studies so that she can focus on environmental conservation. In the future, Talei's long-term goal is to work on the preservation of Indigenous Pacific culture, history, and environment. This will include recording and raising awareness about Indigenous Fijian customs and celebrating the unique diversity of culture in the Pacific through writing and storytelling.

Jason is a lifelong educator and in his 23 years he has been a Peace Corps Volunteer in Vanuatu, taught on the Navajo Reservation, and also in Washington state in the USA. He is passionate about helping young people achieve their goals and live a good life. He believes in the power of education and the hope that new technologies can bring to places that lack basic resources.

Gabrielle Rose Qwenako Tor is a proud Ni-Vanuatu American woman with a deep-rooted passion for promoting holistic health and well-being within minority communities. Growing up immersed in her family's rich heritage, Gabrielle developed a strong connection to her Melanesian roots, inspiring her to actively pursue opportunities to uplift and empower her people.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and currently pursuing a master's degree in Applied Clinical Psychology, Gabrielle's academic journey has equipped her with a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health in ethnic communities. Her elective coursework in ethnic studies and politics has further fueled her curiosity about the interplay between societal dynamics and psychological well-being.

Gabrielle's dedication to addressing the health disparities faced by Melanesian populations is evident in her research endeavors. Collaborating with esteemed professionals like Dr. Lisa Christiansen and Dr. Jimmy Obed, she presented a groundbreaking project titled "Pacific Islander Clients: Clinical Considerations" at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Her contributions extend beyond academia, as she has decided to share her insights on Melanesian Women Today's podcast, "Coming to the Mat," in an upcoming program on Mental Health.

Recognizing the significant gap in health considerations for Melanesian communities, especially among women and girls, Gabrielle is committed to advocating for their voices to be heard. Her long-term goal of obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology reflects her unwavering dedication to empowering minority communities to prioritize their mental well-being.

As a member of the board of Melanesian Women Today, Gabrielle is poised to make meaningful contributions towards promoting holistic approaches to health and well-being among her people. She sees her role as an opportunity to amplify the voices of Melanesian women and girls, ultimately contributing to the prosperity and empowerment of their communities.

Saiya is a first-year student at Tulane University studying Public Health and International Development on the pre-medical track, who aspires to do global health work to increase access to healthcare.  She is passionate about education and empowering women, believing that these are essential building blocks for a healthy, better future.

Saiya first connected with Melanesian Women Today as a volunteer in middle school, inspired by its mission to elevate the voices of women in the Pacific. Her Guyanese and Japanese heritage inspired her to keep seeking deep cultural learning: Today, she serves on the Board as Secretary and is also the Editor-in-Chief of Kalja Magazine, a platform dedicated to sharing stories, culture, and perspectives from across Melanesia.

She has been doing health advocacy work since high school with Partners In Health and is now a Health Equity Fellow at Tulane, and she is excited to continue growing through her 7th year with Melanesian Women Today, contributing to initiatives that create real change for women and communities in Melanesia.

Originally from Waa Wi Lûû, in the north of Kanaky/New Caledonia, I've always wanted to represent the beauty of my island through my work. My illustrations attempt to highlight the cultures of the Pacific.

 Having completed two Master's thesis on the indigenous Hawaiian people as part of my Master's Research in 2021, I've had the opportunity to study in depth the uniqueness of Oceanian peoples, the same uniqueness that animates my drawings. My first thesis focused on the American and colonial construction of the ‘Hawaiian’ identity and my second thesis explored the feminist voices of indigenous women in 21st century Hawaiian literature.

 I believe in art as a means of raising social awareness, which is why my illustrations often represent my personal commitments, such as preserving the environment and indigenous peoples, as well as the status of women in our societies. I specialise in children's illustration and my aim is to publish and illustrate my own tales inspired by my island.

Loate Maetala is a native Solomon Islander, who hails from the island of Malaita. She was educated in Solomon Islands, New Zealand and has gained her degree in religious studies from USA. After completing her education in 2018, she went back to the Solomon Islands and since then has been helping young people and children in the community through religious programs. She has also done research work with the Solomon Islands government and Non profit organizations since 2015 to present.

Kristina Kotouki Board Member & Assistant to the Treasurer

A proud West Papuan and member of the Melanesian Diaspora, Kristina Kotouki serves on the MWT Board and brings a dedicated focus to the Finance Committee. In her role as Assistant to the Treasurer, she provides vital administrative and operational support, including expense tracking, report preparation, and bookkeeping coordination. With a professional background as a Teller and a deep personal commitment to climate change advocacy and Melanesian culture, Kristina is driven by the belief that empowering Melanesian women can transform how the world is seen. Her administrative expertise and community-centered values ensure that MWT’s financial and organizational foundations remain strong and transparent.

Daniella Jacobsen serves as a Board Member for Melanesian Women Today, bringing an extensive background in community engagement and program coordination. As the representative for the Vanuatu diaspora in the United States, she provides a vital bridge between international communities and local initiatives. Known for her ability to translate organizational vision into grassroots impact, Daniella specializes in mobilizing resources and fostering collaborative environments. Her commitment to mission-driven initiatives and her experience in strategic event programming are vital assets to the board, supporting the organization's efforts to empower and uplift women across the Melanesian