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.

Founder and Executive Director

Mere Sovick is the Executive Director of Melanesian Women Today since 2012 and under her leadership and vision, MWT is now registered in Seattle, Washington in the US and in Port Vila, Vanuatu. First indigenous Ni-Vanuatu woman to earn a doctorate in the United States of America and one of only a handful of women scholars with a doctorate degree in Vanuatu, Mere’s journey to Dr. Sovick has been circuitous.

From Vanuatu, in the small village of Lavatu on the northern island of Pentecost where she grew up, to the capital city of Vanuatu, Port Vila, to a boarding school in New Zealand, and on a Maori Marae, her work as a journalist, Peace Corp Vanuatu language trainer, and U.S. student, has culminated in her dissertation being published in 2017 with the title, “Strategies Female Small Business Owners Use to Succeed in Business”. She brings to the team her extensive experience in running an organization and business for more than a decade and her background in academic research in international business. Known for being a powerhouse in strategic thinking and having a - ‘go big or go home attitude’; her strength in bringing together different cultural perspectives is what drives her to be passionate about making a difference in the lives of women, girls and children wherever she serves.

Melanesia

Program Manager

Florence Bule is a Ni- Vanuatu woman who is vibrant and is willing to work with communities by enlightening and empowering women and youth to see their value and understand their potential and capacity to be an agent of change. She has a unique ten year background in working in libraries which has developed her knowledge with a unique advantage for to develop libraries. She has experiences in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programs that reflects her capability to work under pressure with an open mind, especially when working in a challenging community context. Waste Management for economic improvement is also a bonus of her knowledge that drives her to support small businesses in communities. She is a fast learner and a multi skilled person with management experience.

Solomon Islands

Country and Culture Coordinator

Ruth began her work with women since 1992 as a registry clerk at the Ministry of Finance. Since then she has been involved in women’s development work, conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding and research work. She served as General Secretary for the National Council of Women in 2000-2003, served in government as Assistant Director Women’s Development Division in 2007. In 2009 she became the Director for the Research & Policy Unit of the Ministry for Women Youth & Children Affairs. In 2011 she became the first local Solomon Islander coordinator of the Australian supported Solomon Islands NGO Partnership Agreement (SINPA) project which focuses on community development throughout the country. Ruth is an expert in gender and development in the Pacific region and in the last 3 years served in improving the situation of women in the private sector successfully coordinating IFC/SICCI gender program in Solomon Islands.
Ruth graduated with a Bachelor of Women's Studies & Social Anthropology from Massey University, New Zealand in 2000; and a Diploma in Christian Education from Texas Bible College in Lufkin, Texas.
In 2001, Ruth was a recipient of the World Council of Women award to undertake studies in Economic reform and leadership at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, United States of America.Ruth enjoys writing and reading inspirational literature.Ruth is married with five children and one grand-daughter.

Vanuatu

Country & Culture Coordinator

Amanda Bue Tavoa is a trained tradeswoman turned community-based educational specialist. She brings to the team a wide range of experiences and knowledge. After completing her studies in community-based education at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, she returned to Vanuatu and began a career in community development. Mrs. Tavoa has worked on a wide range of community development projects from faith-based programs, school age programs, youth programs and addressing violence against women programs by working with men who use violence to recognize their distructive behviour and learn to change their behviours towards their partners and families.

Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

Country & Culture Coordinator

With 18 years of experience in the private sector, Mr.Marena has worked in various senior management roles with reputable organizations in the Bougainville, Papua New Guinea before he finally decided to quit. David decided to redirected his interest to personal investment and to initiate community development programs to help the disadvantage atoll islands in the Bougainville region, PNG.

David who hails from the Polynesian atoll island of Mortlock (Takuu) in Bougainville, has been actively supporting business houses in Bougainville through his consultancy expertise since he repatriated and settled into Buka, Bougainville in 2015. David is the CEO and Principal Consultant for MTICCA Inc, an NGO organization that is very proactive in advocating for climate change solutions and for social change in societies. He works in partnership with CCDA, ADB, ABG Government, and DFAT including Bougainville Partner to forecast on innovative development solutions and implement sustainable projects for communities within the region. Demand for his consultation expertise is high in Bougainville.

MWT is proud to extend its programs to the Bougainville region in Papua New Guinea through a partnership arrangement with David, who has been appointed as Country and Culture Coordinator for Bougainville, PNG.