The opportunities and challenges of professional migrant women in Australia.

The professional Migrant Women Group, is hosting a panel discussion is to explore the opportunities and challenges of professional migrant women in accessing professional jobs and embrace achievements in both work place and society in Australia.

This year we could bring this important topic to the discussion–particularly highlighting the ways we can challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements.

One way to achieve this goal is by working together and opening discussions to learn about the opportunities and challenges to gender equality.

About the Panel:

Panel Facilitator: Prabha Bogodaarachchi

Prabha is a PhD candidate at Monash University, Australia. Inspired by her own experience as a skilled migrant to Australia as a Political Geographer, Prabha was originally interested in studying geopolitics but the social inclusion barriers that she experienced in the early settlement stage in Australia, inspired her to change her direction n in her research pursuits.

Her PhD research examines the process of social integration and inclusion for non-English speaking migrant women in Australia. It focuses on women who migrated to Australia through skilled visas, as many women in this category may be vulnerable to social exclusion and marginalisation.

Panel Member: Majella Curtis

Majella is an Organisational Development practitioner who is passionate about engaging employees as this increases both individual and team performance and ensures organisational productivity. She is also committed to providing all employees with a safe work environment where they feel valued and included through leading diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Majella has over 15 years professional experience in program management focusing on the topics of leadership development, mentoring, employee engagement surveys, career development and individual performance development.

She has worked throughout the Asia- Pacific and the UK for large organisations including International aid, universities, private companies and across all three levels of the Australian government.

Panel Member: Manorani Guy

Manorani was born in Malaysia with Chinese/Indian heritage and has spent her entire career working with and supporting international students in many diverse fields for over 25 years.

She has a deep passion for all aspects of international education and during her spare time volunteers for the Victorian Working Group on International Student Employability, a non-profit organisation. She is currently the co-founder/ president and leads a team of 12 professionals who volunteer on the VicWISE committee, combined with 60 international student volunteers.

She sits on several committees and round tables and was in charge of numerous projects and activities relating to international education in Victoria. She has learned to truly harness the power of working in and amongst diverse groups throughout her career and is a master at collaboration within the international sector and externally with other partners. She firmly believes that this is the key to successful projects and programs in Victoria to improve the international student experience.

Panel Member: Fabiola Campbell

Fabioa is the founder and principal mentor at the Professional Migrant Women Group, an organisation created with the aim to reduce the gap between migration and professional employment for women in Australia.

Fabiola is passionate about the role of women in our society and their humanistic leadership qualities. She believes in creating significant connections that builds strength in our differences, values our uniqueness and includes our rich and culturally diverse community.

She is enthusiastic, creative, resourceful and resilient. Experienced and talented in human behaviour, community development and facilitation and training. She has worked in the community sector both in Australia and overseas. She holds an MBA, a degree in Criminology, and Cert IV in Training and Assessment and on Personal Coaching.