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.
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.
Chun Chia Tai is a Ph.D. candidate in ethnomusicology at the University of California, Riverside. Her dissertation is about Pacific Islander communities and music scenes, specifically reggae scenes, in the US and their cross-Pacific connection with the homeland and other Pacific Islands. She is volunteering with Melanesian Women Today as part of her dissertation research to learn how culture, music, and education connect Melanesian people in diaspora with their roots. She previously worked for a commercial radio station for two years in Taiwan as a producer. She also worked with Taiwanese Indigenous popular musician Suming Rupi, to organize concerts and the Amis Music Festival for a year. After that, she helped organize music and dance camps and workshops for Indigenous children in Taipei National University of Arts in 2018.
Meet Saiya, a sophomore at Bainbridge High School who is dedicated to making a difference in the world through social causes. She is passionate about education and the empowerment of women, and is determined to use her voice and talents to bring about change.
Saiya's interest in social causes led her to join the Melanesian Women Today team as a volunteer. She believes that access to education is a fundamental human right and is committed to working towards spreading it globally.
In addition to her volunteer work, Saiya is also determined to pursue a career in journalism. She believes that through her writing and reporting, she can bring attention to important issues and inspire others to take action.
Saiya is an ambitious young woman who is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. She is excited to continue her journey with the Melanesian Women Today team and is determined to make a difference in the lives of women in Melanesia.
Meet Selwyn Toa, our dedicated Culture Associate specializing in Melanesian Culture. With a passion for preserving and celebrating the rich diversity of Melanesian traditions, Selwyn's role is centered around deepening our understanding and appreciation of these cultures. Through various initiatives and programs, he strives to promote cultural awareness and ensure that we align our work with the unique traditions of Melanesia.
But Selwyn's role doesn't stop there. As our online Civics Tutor, he takes on the responsibility of engaging our young leaders, guiding them in understanding their civic duties and inspiring them to become active members of society. His contributions play a vital role in supporting our mission of cultural preservation, education, and community engagement.
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.