Women Empowerment and Leadership team wrap up the week by celebrating Iftar dinner with our Muslim sisters and brothers on Friday night.
It was a great opportunity to share a plate of food and network with our amazing team.
WEL board update on our quarterly board meeting as well as welcoming new board members on our board.
Stay tuned for our great legal work project coming soon.
Yvonne Orley, a distinguished Kamilaroi elder, brings a wealth of experience from both the government and community sectors to her remarkable journey. With a lifelong dedication to creating a positive impact, Yvonne’s expertise has left an indelible mark across various domains.
In government, Yvonne has had an illustrious career, holding pivotal roles within the Department of Health, including positions in the Office of the Chief Health Officer and Private Health Establishments and Health Advancement. Her contributions extended to Population Health and Program Development, where she managed the Young People’s Health program. Yvonne’s exceptional skills were evident in her management of the interdepartmental secretariate for the Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy. Her involvement in the Department of Communities included overseeing the Statement of Youth Affairs.
Yvonne’s community engagement has been equally influential. She has served as an Aged Care Regional Manager, a fervent advocate for women’s empowerment, and held significant responsibilities within Aboriginal organizations, including being a Director of The Sanctuary of Embracing Difference. Yvonne is also a member of two women’s world peace movement groups, emphasizing her commitment to global harmony.
Furthermore, Yvonne’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as the Owner/Operator of Orley Supported Accommodation and as a Director for Orley Supports & Services under the NDIS framework. Her passion for community development is evident in her involvement with Nungeena Aboriginal women’s business on the Sunshine Coast and her dedication to reconciliation through Reconciliation Queensland. These diverse pursuits demonstrate Yvonne Orley’s unwavering commitment to improving lives and fostering positive change across various realms.
ORODE CYNDI EKE-OKORO is a Nigerian Australian. She is the current President of the African Professionals of Australia. She works with the Queensland University of Technology as a Contract Coordinator for the Faculty of Health, and she run a business along with her business partner for the past 3 years. She describes herself as a passionate individual with a love for life, learning and adventure.
She is a solution-driven professional with extensive experience in establishing and maintaining productive relationships. She is a mother of 11-year-old twins, she is migrated to Australia in 2011 under the Skilled Migration Visa with her husband. She has over 10 years’ experience providing exceptional customer service support in the legal, banking and health care sector.
She is a community champion and been involved with the community for over 7 years. She has a good understanding of the challenges facing culturally diverse communities some of which include overcoming the barriers and challenges to capacity building and self-determination. Engaging with stakeholders is a skill she has developed in her various client-facing roles, in these roles she engaged with vulnerable members of the community, blood donors, people from refugee backgrounds as well as professionals from different African backgrounds.
In he current role as the President of the African Professionals of Australia, she engage constantly with community stakeholders ranging from community leaders to CEOs and members of parliament as well as council members and representatives.
Achievements:
Successfully organised a biannual conference a few months after taking leadership of African Professionals of Australia.
Successfully increased the visibility of the organisation (APA) by organising quarterly networking and leadership meetings for the benefit of members.
Consistently commended for her interpersonal skills in maintaining relationships with clients and relevant stakeholders.
• The first and only support staff to work independently interstate without direct supervision and maintained great communication with all the other staff in the main office (Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Emelie Nordh is incredibly honoured to have been appointed as the Human Rights Ambassador for Women’s Empowerment and Leadership. Emelie has ever since she was young been passionate about social justice and human rights, always driven to make a change and work towards a just and equal world. Her biggest dream is to work with human rights at the UN and to be able to create a platform to educate and empower all people in society. Emelie is a strong believer in having the courage to speak out and to have a voice, especially concerning injustices in society, as it only takes one voice, at the right pitch, to start an avalanche.
Emelie Nordh is studying a bachelor of International Relations and is in her final year at Bond University. Emelie Nordh was born in Sweden and came to Australia to follow her dream in 2022.
Emelie Nordh has always cared deeply about human rights and creating a more just world where everyone gets to belong as one under humanity. She believes that education is the cure to ignorance and hate, and profoundly resonates with the wise words of Nelson Mandela “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.”
Short Biography,
Rita Anwari
Rita Anwari arrived in Australia as an immigrant in 1993, escaping the civil war in Afghanistan. As a victim of the war, she understands the devastating situation the Afghanistan population is currently living, where the most vulnerable ones need their voices to be heard the most.
She pursued her education and made a life in Australia. After spending many years in Australia, Mrs. Anwari never missed an opportunity to help other people in Afghanistan. She has worked tirelessly to empower women in Afghanistan and Australia paving the way for their leadership through her organization Women Empowerment and Leadership (WEL). Mrs. Anwari has strong roots in the Afghan communities both in Australia and Afghanistan. She is a strong voice advocating for the women and children of Afghanistan in the national and international media both in Afghanistan and Australia.
She received an honorary Ph.D. She also has higher education degrees as well as various diplomas, certificates, and letters from training institutions in Australia. Her major area of expertise is developmental management, international relations, and women’s rights. She also excelled her knowledge in political science and public policy.
On the professional front, Dr. Anwari is currently working through WEL – an organization that she founded in 2017 to support women and children. In addition to WEL, she has established several other organizations such as Peace for Asia. It is an active and one of the largest human rights organizations, based in Geneva. She also participates as a member of executive board for various organisations.
Dr. Anwari is the founder\director of the Afghan-Australian Chamber of Commerce, through which she has successfully created multiple economic channels between Australia and Afghanistan in the past years.
She was the first Afghan-Australian woman to introduce Australian accredited courses to Afghanistan and created higher education opportunities for Afghan students. She successfully organized 35 Ph.D. scholarships for highly educated Afghan men and women in Australian Universities.
Between 2016-2020, Dr Anwari was a cultural advisor to the Australian Defence Force, providing cultural awareness training to the ADF forces before they left for their mission to Afghanistan.
She led an Australian team who travelled to 25 different countries to promote Women’s’ Rights and introduce Australian Education.
“Dan is a lawyer and founder of DJ Law Group, a Brisbane-based boutique law firm.
With over ten years of experience managing a very busy workload, Dan has an exceptional record in assisting clients in securing residency in Australia.
Dan is specialised in handling complicated Migration matters, preparing public interest criterion submissions including 4020 and three years preclusion ban waivers, character and health waivers, advising and assisting with refusals and cancellations of visas, and, if appropriate, preparing applications for review in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, courts or seeking Ministerial Intervention.
Alongside her work, Dan undertakes several voluntary positions, including committee member of Migration Institute of Australia (QLD & NT), the leading association for migration professionals, and voluntary solicitor at Pine Rivers community legal services since 2011. These positions and experience allow her to give back to the community and use her expertise and network to support those in need. Dan is proud to be recognised for her pro bono contributions.”
Pushpa is an internationally recognised expert in developing Leaders, Author and Executive coach in the areas of Transformational Leadership, Entrepreneurial and Holistic Cultural Change.
Her education consists of Psychology, Master’s in accounting, Clinical Neuro Practitioner and expert in Cognitive human behaviours as well as research and further studies to support her mission in helping people live improved quality lives.
Pushpa has several organisations including the Founder of a registered Harm Prevention Charity, focusing on Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Domestic, Emotional and Physical Violence within diverse communities and cultures
She has helped thousands worldwide from all walks of life and professions, before and during the Crisis. Supporting them to heal from forms of grief, hurting to strengthen their Leadership capacities leading to outstanding outcomes.
Government Departments, Conference’s planners, Multi-Cultural and Corporate organisations bring Pushpa in as a female keynote speaker to help delegates, executives, leaders and stakeholders to navigate change in culture where the participants take on a new perspective and make lasting behavioural changes.
Pushpa is also a trusted high-stakes facilitator, panel moderator and MC, she believes that a leader is most effective when they understand how to blend vision and courage with humility and compassion.
As a leading expert in Innovation, creativity, and leadership, Pushpa inspires audiences to shift their thinking about how to succeed in the innovation leadership age.
The driving force of her work is the liberation of human potential. She has faced major adversities, where she has learned how to overcome and achieve.
On behalf of Governments as a Skilled Business Mentor, Pushpa has helped thousands of businesses get back on their feet and develop sustainable practices to support their long-term success.
Pushpa provides her clients with simple yet powerful solutions that take the complexity out of being an inspiring leader within themselves to impact their environment.
Pushpa has received the highest speaking rating at many events. Participants described her as insightful, wise with unconditional commitment to meet the needs of her audiences.
Mary is a successful business owner, and entrepreneur, within the health and wellness arena, due to her own personal journey, and she hails from the beautiful Pacific Island, of Niue, namely called, the Rock of Polynesia. She is also a member of the Pacific Women’s Alliance here in Queensland.
Mary has a strong background in Leadership, and in the Corporate sector, having worked as a Business Development Manager, for the Flight Centre Corporate and within the banking industry.
Mary has a Diploma in Telemarketing, Train the Trainer Certificate, Life Coach, Attitude and Motivation with David Foreman, and recently completed a Business Certificate 3.
Mary’s vision for Women Empowerment and Leadership is to inspire all women from all nationalities, and others to create the life and lifestyle that they truly desire. She also believes in that every woman deserves access to vital success information, that is not taught in mainstream education. She empowers women to rise above limitations, to star as their best self and create a life of prosperity, and her vision is to create a movement of all people to be aware of domestic violence within the Pacific Island community.
Sveto Muhammad Ishoq is an Afghan women’s rights activist, public speaker and Afghanistan’s first Schwarzman Scholar. Sveto authored her first publications on women’s rights in Afghanistan when she was only 14 years old, which marked the start of her activism. In 2018, she founded a social enterprise, Ayat, to empower illiterate Afghan women to gain financial independence through fashion. Experience of living in 6 different countries and witnessing the negative assumptions about life in Afghanistan later inspired Sveto to create a storytelling platform, Chadari, which has gathered 57 volunteers inspired by its mission. The Chadari Project gives an opportunity for Afghan women to express their opinions and perspectives, talk about their achievements, and share stories of bravery, to show the world that Afghanistan is much more than what can be seen in the media. Sveto proudly represents Afghanistan on national and international platforms, including the British Red Cross, UN Women, UNDPPA, UNHCR UK, and SCO, and promotes the unheard experiences of Afghan women.
She is committed to playing a significant role in bringing Afghan women into the economy as equal partners and helping to raise Afghan women’s voices at the national and international levels.
Sveto holds BA in Business Administration from the American University of Afghanistan in Afghanistan, MMSc in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, and MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation from LSE in the United Kingdom.
Abdulhaq Rauf has arrived in Australia following the collapse of government in Afghanistan. He contributed to making the education system of Afghanistan better for a long time. While he worked in key positions with the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan, his most recent role in Afghanistan was a Senior position with United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). His contribution to the education reform process in Afghanistan which started in 2017 and implemented through 2018 has earned him a Presidential Medal. He also contributed to the development of Afghanistan’s National Education Strategic Plan III development and implementation beside several education policies and strategies.
He also represented Afghanistan and other developing countries in international platforms such as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNESCO’s Teacher Education Taskforce, Asia-Pacific Meeting for Education (APMED), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), advocating for better education systems for Afghanistan.
Mr. Rauf has a master’s degree in Educational Planning and Management from the International Institute for Educational Planning in Paris, France. As part of his MA program, he analyzed the internal efficiency of primary education in Afghanistan and recommended a few policy decisions to improve it.
Following his arrival and settlement in Queensland, Mr. Rauf has started working with the certification industry, helping them to get relevant accreditation for improved quality and standards. He has been promoted form a coordinator position to a senior coordinator position in the first 2 months of his work. Besides his job, he is also engaged with the community in different capacities. He joined Women Empowering and Leadership (WEL) association as a senior technical advisor and executive board member.
Ms. Nazira Rahman graduated from Painjsad Family primary school and AREYANA high school in Kabul city. She graduated from department of agriculture economy and planning of agriculture faculty of Kabul University. And she gets her Post Graduated Diploma in Agriculture Extension Management (PGDAEM) in Institute of Agriculture Extension Management, in Hyderabad of India. Including that she could participated in the different trainings such as leadership, management and technical in inside and outside of the country like America, Italy, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippine, India, Iran, Malaysia and Brazil
She has more than 20 years’ experience, in positions of management, Head of departments and directorate in different parts of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).
Along doing her related jobs she actively participated on providing polices, strategies, procedures, guidelines, training books, guides, posters and broachers for women economic empowerment, food security and nutrition, by increasing households economic and women’s important and efficient roles. Also she had an active role in establishment of women empowerment working groups and working committees in MAIL and other relevant ministries and organizations. For example, can mention her leadership and management roles in the following working groups:
Also due to her hard working, personality, commitment, services and honesty to support women, she could get many certificate, awards and appreciation letter from authorities of Afghanistan president, Parliament, Chief Executive Office, MAIL, MoWA, MoFA, and other organizations. She is one of activist of women’s rights in Afghan civil society. Recently on the base of MoWA’s suggestion and Afghanistan president instruction on 14 November 2020 nominated as Deputy Minister of MoWA for women economic empowerment. Within her works in the Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA) she could works and finalized the MoWA’s restructuring on the base its new goals, objectives and mandates could provide many required documents such as:
Annette is a Metaphysical Master and Intuitive Career Coach. She provides much more than text book career
coaching. Her eclectic background enables her to deliver a results oriented, knowledgeable and holistic
approach to career coaching.
Annette knows what employers are seeking. She has over 30 years’ career coaching and recruitment experience across a broad range of industries and professions. She has established and successfully run two recruitment agencies, career coaching companies and has also owned a registered training organization (RTO). Annette often donates her time via community service to Universities, schools, professional and community groups and radio programs.
Annette has over a decade of experience in higher education working as tutor and University Lecturer together with a comprehensive background in Corporate Training and Development. A combination of life, academic, business and metaphysical mastery skills equip Annette with the ability to assist people from all walks of life across a broad spectrum of careers including supporting creatives, executives, business owners, and
aspiring entrepreneurs.
Annette supports businesses to find their ideal staff and to create more peaceful and cooperative workplaces. Her entrepreneur, executive, career and wellness coaching enables people to find clarity around their business, career, find their purpose, build self-confidence and self-esteem to create their dream life. Many of Annette’s clients embark on a journey of self-discovery, opening their minds and hearts to lead a happier, healthier more fulfilled life.
Annette quotes “MY VISION is to help create peace on earth, peace within self, in the workplace, and in our homes by empowering people to find their purpose, break free of limits and live their dream life. Learning to love ourselves and using our unique gifts and talents to live a happy and more fulfilling life.”
My vision as a media professional is to make audiovisual documentation on the subject of girls’ education.
I think it is imperative that an educated girl can educate an entire generation.
Born in the city of Wardak, Afghanistan, I have witnessed in close quarters the total lack of proper legislation on girl child education.
The recent come back of the Taliban has therefore raised serious concerns about the future of education, especially for girls. As per the report of UNICEF, an estimated 3.7 million children are out-of-school in Afghanistan – 60% of them are girls. As per the said facts,
I would be proud to associate myself with WEL in contributing my longstanding experience in the field of media production. For the last two years, I have been following the unparalleled work of WEL
and its immense contribution towards women empowerment especially for the country of Afghanistan. A film I made titled The Dark Future is based on a real-life story in a very challenging situation. I dedicate this film to WEL to raise awareness among the citizens and to raise funds for plights of Afghan women in Australia. In my 15 years journey in the realm of media production, I can contribute my expertise and skills as the media ambassador for WEL. Under the capable leadership of Mrs. Rita Anwari, Founder and President of WEL, I am ready to associate myself and offer my expertise.
Lindy Chen is the founder and Managing Director of ChinaDirect Sourcing Services, Chinadirect investment, author of ‘Import From China. How To Make A Million…and Not Get Burnt!’ , author of “doing business in Australia – for new immigrants”, and co-author of “Women On Top”.
Lindy is a dynamic, ‘bicultural’ business facilitator blending the best from the East and the West, with a natural ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds. She is considered one of Australia’s foremost experts on doing business with China, and was the winner of a International Woman of the year Awards Stevie awards 2015.
As a world leading authority on doing business with China, Lindy has featured in publications from The Courier Mail to BRW magazine, and has been a finalist and winner in many prestigious awards, including:
Lindy has more than twenty years’ experience in International Trade, and is a member of the Australia China Business Council. She is also the founder of the Australian Charities Buying Group, which makes it possible for charities to source and import commonly needed products from China cooperatively, thus saving on costs and time. Her business goal is to grow ChinaDirect into the world’s leading sourcing firm.
She is a mentor for the QLD government. So far she has mentored more than 900 different business’s and has been instrumental in helping them achieve their objectives.
She is the president of Sunnybank Chamber of commerce. Under her leadership, within one year, she has tripled the membership of Sunnybank Chamber of commerce, and reached their yearly goal of with 200 members.
Lindy Chen is the founding president of Australia Blockchain Alliance (ABA) – a Not-For-Profit Association originated in Queensland Australia. She aims to set up ABA to educate, develop and empower the Blockchain community of Australia and connect with both global leaders and best practice. Her main objective is to uplift the Blockchain ecosystem and community and to address the critical skills gap in Australia with respect to Blockchain technology.
Lindy has helped many of her clients entering into the China market. She and her team has sold 1 million dollar property on wechat to china within 2 hours; they also export product and services to China.
Lindy have spoken for CBA, ANZ, BOQ, Redland city Chamber of Commerce and Southeast Chamber of Commerce etc. lindy have also spoken for WNA in 7 different cities, and CBA – national tour. Womens leadership symposium 2016 and 2019.
Lindy has trained many organization in Chinese culture awareness topic, such as Brisbane city council, central Queensland University, TAFE QLD, TAFE Adelaide, lend lease, Adelaide city council, Adelaide University, etc. Lindy’s goal is reaching 3000 people every year, to increase awareness about China for western world, to improve the success rate of small business operation.
Lindy has also trained 20 youth ambassadors from Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abuddabi, UAE, about Chinese etiquette and cultural awareness, as well as 36 strategy.
Lindy has also created the frethan – a trusted international trade certificate storage platform based on blockchain technology, which will revolutionize the international trade industry.
Lindy is the 2019 Telstra business awards judge.
Lindy is the International Speaker of Australia Blockchain Alliance(ABA) Freelance since
2019 and also, Lindy is the 2019 Founding President of Australia Blockchain Alliance.
Lindy is the only recipients of the 2019 lord mayor multicultural scholarship of Australian institute of company directors course.
Her government profile is:
http://www.smallbusinesssolutions.qld.gov.au/content/sbs-standard.asp?name=MentorsBNN-LindyChen
Lindy Chen Wikipedia profile on Lindy Chen:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindy_Chen
Her accountant’s testimonial:
http://smaccountants.com.au/client-focus-lindy-chen/
Her Chinese profile:
http://baike.baidu.com/view/12122186.htm
Her own website:
http://www.lindychen.com.au/index.php
CHINA DIRECT SOURCING
Lindy formed ChinaDirect Souring in 2005 to assist Australian Companies source and import products from China. The company now includes assisting Australian companies who wish to export products to China.
ChinaDirect won the overall award in the 2007 Australian Home-Based Business Awards, as well as the Business Services category.
They were also honored by being named a finalist in the 2007 Australian Small Business Champion Awards, and a finalist in the 2007 ActionCOACH My Business Awards.
In less than six years since staring her business in 2005, Lindy has saved her clients over $5 million in procurement costs.
In 2008, ChinaDirect were again honoured by winning the Business Services category of the Australian Small Business Champion Awards for Qld, and in 2007, won the Australian Home-Based Business Awards.
Additionally, ChinaDirect Sourcing made the BRW Fast Starter List in April 2010 as one of the 100 fastest growing businesses in Australia. ChinaDirect has also made Q400 in Dec 2011.
Chinadirect sourcing is the global service partner of Alibaba.com.
CHINADIRECT INVESTMENT
Lindy formed ChinaDirect Investment in 2015 together with her business partner Robert Li to assist Australian Companies distribute products to China, expand into the Chinese market, with product and service knowledge to help them gain a market and attract Chinese investment for Australian business.
ChinaDirect investment scope of work, to assist Australian Business:
LINDY’S HISTORY AND BRIGHT FUTURE
Born in China, she migrated to Australia in 2002.
Education was Lindy’s access out of a poor background, so her personal goal is to provide education scholarships to 1,000 underprivileged children in China by 2017.
Her business philosophy is that the size of ChinaDirect’s cause will determine the size of its effect.
This led her to start Australia’s first national charities buying group, and plans to offer carbon neutral importing.
Lindy has strong leadership qualities that are demonstrated by her ability to motivate and inspire employees to fulfil their potential. Lindy’s contribution to the organisation’s success has been in developing a unique business model, and then systemising the business.
The company has experienced exponential growth, guided by a mission of “making clients prosperous and globally competitive”, with clients including MiniMovers and Merlo Coffee.
Her willingness to take risks and do things differently has had her overcome many obstacles to achieve success. This includes starting the business on a budget of only $2,000, and launching ChinaDirect Sourcing Services on a PC in an Internet café.
ChinaDirect operate differently to the average broker. For example, they are transparent in providing full details of Chinese suppliers they source for Australian clients, and refuse commissions from Chinese suppliers.
Lindy has an impressive track record in China and Australia.
Before settling in Australia, she held senior management roles in Chinese and Australian companies.
However, it wasn’t all up and up. Upon arriving in Australia in 2002, Lindy couldn’t find a job, so took on various volunteer roles.
This included raising awareness of China by organising community events for her local council, promoting the use of public transport, and running events showcasing the talents of multicultural youth.
Then Lindy got a big break… Selling movie tickets door to door! After three weeks she’d made the grand sum of $100, and wore out two pairs of runners. But she learnt how to read a map and gained the confidence to talk English with people.
Lindy then spent seven months studying English, at the end of which she taught Business Administration at The Australian Business College in Adelaide. She then took up a position lecturing in International Trade at TAFE in South Australia.
During this time, friends were asking her to source products for them from China. She had an extraordinary talent for this, and with high demand for this service, turned it into a business.
With her strategic project management skills and strong business acumen, she continues to assist many Australian companies grow through product innovation and bottom line savings.
ChinaDirect gains most new clients after they see Lindy talk at China business seminars, or through word of mouth. Lindy is passionate about building bridges between China and Australia, and has given her time freely to speak for organisations such as the Australian Institute of Management, Queensland Police and James Cook University.
She has a strong desire to raise Australian’s awareness of China, and vice versa, so the two countries can grow harmoniously together. Recently her book, ‘Import From China…How To Make a Million and Not Get Burnt’, was published including a DVD version, both of which has made record sales and Lindy is already on her 5th Edition.
Lindy is a blockchain entrepreneur and she is passionate about technology. She saw blockchain as the future of the technology. Lindy sets the goal to grow and enhance the Australian Blockchain community and to further enhance the ecosystem. To achieve this, Lindy and her team, through the local community, and industry professionals aim to develop and bring forward activities such as:
So far, Lindy Chen lead her team organized numerous events:
Lindy and her team on 5th March 2019 presented the ContraCoin project at the establishment ceremony of “blockchain application and investment alliance” in front of more than 500 participants in Hongkong.
Australia Blockchain Alliance has also set up vital partnership with more than 10 organizations in HK, Philippines, Japan and China. We have also invited China’s leading Blockchain Authority to deliver educational program for our participants.
Lindy chen has presented the following topic related to blockchain:
Lindy has made a great effort to improve understanding of and support for blockchain technology among the small business / start up sector.
PERSONAL TIDBITS
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
– Small Business Management
– Workplace Training & Assessment
– English Proficiency
The Women Empowerment and Leadership is excited to announce a new addition to our leadership team, Christina Terita as the Ambassador of prevention of Domestic Violence.
Christina’s aim is to contribute to effective solutions to prevent domestic violence that continue to destroy individual lives and families in our communities. Christina’s background is Portuguese, and she has lived in Australia for over 30 years. Forced to flee from her home in Angola after the civil war, Christina and her family moved to Portugal. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree of International Relations and Law at Bond University while working as a nurse and raising two wonderful boys with her husband.
Christina’s work has focused on Diplomacy and Governance, and she has worked with the community and a range of organizations to help women of all cultures and generations fulfil their potential as individuals. Christina started her career with The Portuguese Welfare Centre where she worked closely with a range of stakeholders, International Ambassadors and Ministers.
She then began working for Access Community Services for Logan as a settlement service worker under the Department of Immigration, where she provided assistance to new arrivals and refugees.
Because of her experience in leadership and project management roles, Christina is confident she can bring positive changes and solutions to the community as a member of Women Empowerment and Leadership.
Women Empowerment and Leadership is excited to announce an addition to our leadership team, Kathlia Piodos as the Ambassador for Higher Education Scholarships for Afghan Women. Kathlia’s aim is to support and provide assistance to new arrivals and Afghan refugees seeking to apply for scholarships. She is from a multicultural background herself and has a passion for bringing positive changes and solutions to the community through the power of education.
She is currently studying a Bachelor’s of International Relations and Philosophy and believes that access to higher education can provide refugees the opportunity to become leaders in their communities. Prior to joining WEL, Kathlia has worked as an intern for Cambodian Kids Foundation managing grant application processes to support primary education schools in Cambodia. Alongside her academic pursuits, Kathlia also has a love for sport and was a former Pilates instructor. She believes that fitness and sport can also motivate and promote women empowerment and wellbeing, including surfing, swimming, and self-defence such as boxing. She hopes to work in International Development with a focus on Gender Equity in the future.
Kathlia is committed to helping scholarship applications for refugee women at WEL in the hopes of enabling individual women to build the confidence and opportunities to begin their careers.
Dr Nasrin Vaziri is the Mental Health Ambassador. Dr. Vaziri has been a long-standing board member for Woman Empowerment & Leadership and she has a passion for empowering women through mental health awareness. She expresses this through her art which embraces cultural diversity and bringing colour into people’s lives through art therapy. By inviting art, colour and expression into our lives, it can contribute to good mental health.
Dr. Vaziri studied Sociology at Griffith University and is passionate about mental health and professional arts development. Her work involves directing projects, engaging community artists at Gold Coast Multicultural Arts centre, including facilitating creative spaces for migrant artists. She is also a Multicultural Health Ambassador at Mental Health Foundation Australia. She is a recipient of the Centenary Federation Award from Commonwealth Australia and is currently an Ambassador for Peace for the Australian Peace Foundation. October is Mental Health Month, and Dr. Vaziri is committed to raising awareness about mental health and wellbeing through community events that showcase cultural diversity, art and culture.
Aishwarya is Vice President of WEL and Director of Emerson Family and Migration Law. Across both arms of the practice, Aishwarya works closely with women and particularly with victims of Domestic and Family Violence, in protecting their interests under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and the Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Act 2012.
She is a member of the Relationships Australia CALD Stakeholder Group and was one of the lawyers asked to assist in RAQ’s Legally Assisted & Culturally Appropriate Mediation Program. Aishwarya often collaborates with the Queensland Police Service at their Bringing Cultures Together, where she has been invited to speak on DFV amongst CALD communities. She is also frequently called upon by QPS to provide legal counsel to numerous victims of DFV. In October 2019, Aishwarya was appointed as Vice President of the QLD Chapter of Women’s Federation for World Peace and she has assisted the WFWP President in developing seminal events in shifting the paradigm from the prevention of domestic and family violence to the promotion of domestic peace.
Aishwarya was also awarded the 2020 Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Young Business Person of the Year in recognition of her firm’s commendable work in the multicultural and CALD community, and she was recently inducted on the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP. Aishwarya looks forward to contributing to the empowerment of women in all facets of their lives, in her capacity as Vice President of WEL.
As the Vice President of Women Empowerment and Leadership Association, Aishwarya’s vison is to promote and support women who are legally struggling with being treated unjustly. She also believes that women should be treated justly in the legal system and to have access to all the opportunities available.
Abdullah works in business development and high-end networking. He specializes in online marketing and cybersecurity.
His vison for Women Empowerment and Leadership is to be a young entrepreneur who wants to be the first male to promote women empowerment. He wants to also promote the younger generation to respect women and support them in order reduce domestic and family violence through increasing awareness.
Kay is a dynamic and motivated professional with a demonstrated history of generating and building relationships across multiple sectors (Government, Private and Non-Profit Sectors). Kay has extensive project management experience and training facilitation in the Middle-East, Afghanistan, Mexico, North Africa, SE Asia and the Philippines. She enjoys working in complex environments where her analytical mindset is best utilized from her knowledge of foreign policy, international humanitarian and human rights law.
Kay currently supports the development and coordination of programs for disadvantaged populations in multiple environments. These focus on building educational opportunities, sustainable environment programs, and food security to rise against hunger. Her humanitarian work is recognized by Australian and Foreign Officials and community leaders.
In Kay’s academic role, she provides academic leadership and contributes to curriculum development, innovation of courses and units. Kay develops training specific to Higher Degree Researchers (HDRs – PhD and Masters Candidates) at the University of New England. Kay has a PhD (Law & Justice), a Masters degree (Human Rights), and varying professional qualifications (Business (Security) Administration) accumulated over 25 years. Kay is also a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia. The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the recommendation of the Australian Government.
As the Executive Board Member of Women Empowerment and Leadership Association, Dr kay Frances Danes aims to seek justice for girls and women experience abuse in their lifetime.
Leila represents Australia in the World Universal Productions which aims to celebrate all women. Seeks to provide a platform where all women are supported and represented by working with multiple global charities who have experienced domestic violence all the way to cancer research.
As the Executive board member of the Women Empowerment and Leadership Association, Leila vision is to make people aware of domestic violence and educating for children on the streets.
