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Leadership and professional development webinar series

The first webinar in the series, Connecting with the self: Identity, belonging, and leadership, was recorded on 15 November 2019. The webinar features Bianca Elmir, Hana Assafiri, and Wesa Chau.

Featuring

Bianca Elmir

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Wesa Chau

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Hana Assafiri OAM

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Maria Osman

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The second webinar in the series, Empowering the self: Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, was recorded on 5 March 2020. The webinar features Elizabeth Kachembere, Hawanatu Bangura, and Saman Uzma.

Featuring

Photo of Elizabeth Kachembere

Elizabeth Bokani Kachembere

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Hawanatu Bangura

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Photo of Saman Uzma

Saman Uzma

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Photo of Violet Roumeliotis

Violet Roumeliotis

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Violet Roumeliotis

Violet Roumeliotis is a Harmony Alliance council member and the CEO of Settlement Services International, a NSW community‑based, not-for-profit organisation that provides support services for refugees, asylum seekers, people with disability, job seekers, and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who require foster care. Violet has an extensive background in the leadership of large not‑for‑profit organisations and providing services to at‑risk communities. She has developed specialised knowledge and skills in working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, refugees, women and families in crisis, and prisoners.

Saman Uzma

Saman Uzma is the CEO and founder of Cubeight Solutions, A website development, SEO and graphic designing company providing digital solutions to small to medium size businesses. She is Masters in computer applications and working in the IT industry since 2009.  She also runs workshops and provides consultation on how Information technology can help professionals in achieving their goals and increasing profits. She has been involved in various community services programs including support to new migrants and refugees on improving their professional profile for getting their first jobs and achieving business objectives. Know more about her business here.

Hawanatu Bangura

Hawanatu Bangura is the founder of Mahawa Creative. She has a double degree in Social Work and Social Science and has been working in the Australian community sector providing support to disadvantaged individuals and groups for over seven years. Hawanatu is also an award-winning filmmaker who has been writing, directing and producing films for 10 years. Her films have been internationally recognised at various major film festivals. Mahawa Creative was sparked by her passion for integrating creativity with her social work to elevate the human experience. Mahawa Creative is a storytelling agency that helps organisations and individuals to craft meaningful narratives. They collaborate with local, corporate and government organisations to create emotionally compelling videos for positive social impact. They also offer workshops targeted towards a range of outcomes. These include facilitating creative self-expression, promoting individual wellbeing and strengthening group identity in positive ways. Learn more about her business here.

Elizabeth Bokani Kachembere

Elizabeth Bokani Kachembere migrated from Zimbabwe 20 years ago. She started her Naturopathic practice in 2012 part-time and went full time in 2013. Liz has been in the health industry for 26 years having started as a Pharmacy Technician in her native Zimbabwe then worked in retail and Veterinary Industry here in Australia. Liz did further studies to obtain a Bachelors’ in Naturopathy and a Diploma in Remedial Massage, currently pursuing post graduate studies in International Health. Her clinic is called Hutano Natural health Solutions; Hutano meaning “Have you thought about natural health options” or “wellness” in the Shona language. Elizabeth is passionate about women’s health and wellness and nutrition. One of her unique offerings with her weight loss programs is that she tries to prescribe food that is familiar to a client. Being a migrant herself she realizes one’s cuisine and culture are important for their well-being. Liz ‘s passion is to see more women looking after their health and going on to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Learn more about her business here.

Wesa Chau

Wesa Chau is the CEO of Cultural Intelligence and co-founder of Belonging From The Inside Out, an initiative to promote belonging through leadership programs and workshops, especially for people from a different cultural background. She has been a strong advocate for cultural diversity and gender diversity for two decades. Her work is recognised through a number of prestigious awards, including being an inductee of the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and is a finalist for the Agenda Settle of the Year Award in 2016.  She is also a member of the Multicultural Business Ministerial Council and Ministerial Council for Women’s Equality.

Hana Assafiri

Hana Assafiri OAM is a tireless advocate for women in the community, a spokesperson for Islamic feminism in Australia and as a long-time Melbourne icon, she is celebrated for both her generosity and success as a businesswoman. Hana has dedicated her professional and private life to removing barriers that prevent women from living prosperous lives. By opening
her first restaurant in 1998, the popular Moroccan Soup Bar in North Fitzroy–now an institution for many Victorians, Hana has provided employment opportunities for marginalised members of the community. In 2015, Hana was awarded TimeOut’s Legend Award for her flair for innovation and entrepreneurship. In March 2017 Hana was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, celebrating her contribution made to local communities and human rights. In 2019, Hana was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to women and the broader community.

Bianca Elmir

Bianca Elmir is a woman of Lebanese and Islamic heritage raised in Canberra. With a degree in international relations and community development, her experience spans various roles: from working on an HIV/AIDS prevention program in rural South Africa, to advising a Greens member of the ACT Assembly, to acting as a film stunt woman and being on reality TV. Defying gender stereotypes, she has won national and international titles in both boxing and kickboxing. By utilising boxing as an instrument to inspire and elevate self-esteem, Bianca facilitates women’s boxing clinics across Australia and the Pacific providing peer-mentoring program for marginalised young women. A feature length documentary about Bianca titled Bam Bam the Movie was released in 2018 and has been selected for various film festivals and awards nationally and internationally.

Maria Osman

Maria Osman is a leader with over 30 years’ experience in gender equity, diversity and human rights as a senior government policy adviser, consultant, speaker, trainer and community activist.

As the former Executive Director of WA’s Office of Multicultural Interests and Office for Women’s Policy, she has led the development and implementation of cutting-edge policies and programs.

Maria has always combined her senior roles with grass roots advocacy with migrant and refugee women. She was appointed as Australia’s official delegate to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York and has served on numerous national, state and community boards.

She is currently the Chair of the Humanitarian Group, member of the Multicultural Advisory Group advising the WA Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, the WA Premiers Supporting Community Forum and the Ministerial Expert Panel and Voluntary and Assisted Dying and the Somali Womens Association.

Maria was awarded the WA Government Multicultural Community Service Award in 2007 and a National Living Legends Award, awarded to the 100 most influential African-Australians in 2012. Maria is of Somali heritage, is a mother and grandmother.