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.
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.
Constance Bula Bird originates from the Western Province of the Solomon Islands and holds degrees in Tourism and Law from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. Currently serving as a Senior Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers for nearly five years, Constance specializes in the Litigation and Advice Division, where she represents clients in courts and offers legal guidance.
Her prior collaboration with Sustineo Research Company on the "Access to Justice" project, alongside Ruth Maetala, involved data collection from remote villages across all provinces. This experience, coupled with her legal expertise, ignited a passion for volunteering, particularly in supporting vulnerable groups such as children, girls, and women.
Constance actively engages with organizations, including the education working group of Today's Solomon Girl Foundation, leveraging her skills to advance the interests of marginalized communities. She finds fulfillment in witnessing women empower one another across various sectors, be it in the private, NGO, or public sphere.
Constance's dedication to social justice and community development aligns seamlessly with MWT's mission to uplift and empower women and girls in Melanesia. Her multifaceted background and commitment to serving vulnerable populations make her a valuable asset to our organization.
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 12th grader at Bainbridge High School who is driven by a deep sense of purpose to make a difference in the world. She’s passionate about education, empowering women, and improving access to healthcare, believing that these are essential building blocks for a better future.
Saiya first connected with Melanesian Women Today as a volunteer, inspired by its mission to elevate the voices of women in the Pacific. Today, she serves on the Board as Secretary and is also the Editor-in-Chief of our upcoming online Kalja Magazine, a platform dedicated to sharing stories, culture, and perspectives from across Melanesia.
In addition to her work with Kalja Magazine, Saiya is an active member of our Health Team, where she contributes her time and energy to raising awareness about global health issues. Her passion for healthcare also extends to her involvement with Bainbridge Island Youth Partners In Health, where she collaborates with others to address pressing health challenges.
Through her volunteer work and dedication to storytelling, Saiya is committed to making a meaningful impact. She’s excited to continue growing with Melanesian Women Today and 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.
Liz Finin is a lifelong educator and dedicated educator with a wealth of experience at all levels, from college to kindergarten. She began her career in the Peace Corps in Mauritania, West Africa, and has since taught in a variety of settings, from New York to Washington State.
Currently, Liz teaches middle school on Bainbridge Island and has been facilitating service learning projects for 15 years. She loves teaching kids about the world and issues that are important to them and loves to see the spark when they realize the impact they can have.
She has been instrumental in implementing a Service Learning project partnership with Melanesian Women Today organization on the Solomon Island Girls scholarship program. This partnership has enabled students at the middle school on Bainbridge Island to learn about and actively support the education of girls in the Solomon Islands, by raising funds and awareness for the scholarship program. Through this partnership, Liz has been able to utilize her experience in service learning to engage students in meaningful, impactful work that supports the mission of MWT.
Liz's passion for education and commitment to making a difference in the world makes her an invaluable asset to MWT, and her passion for education and the communities they serve. Her vast experience teaching at all levels and across the country, combined with her dedication to empowering students through service learning, makes her a highly effective educator and outreach specialist. Her leadership and experience in service learning has enabled the organization to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the women and girls in Melanesia through education, health and entrepreneurship.