Dr. Marion Muliaumasealii ( aka Dr.M) the Executive Founding Director of Village Response Collective (VRC), is a distinguished Prac-Academic leader whose remarkable journey has seamlessly blended academia, community service, and innovative initiatives. Rooted in the Samoan proverb "O le ala I le pule o le tautua - The pathway to great leadership is through service," Dr. Muliaumasealii has positioned herself at the intersection of practice and academia, embodying the essence of a Prac-Academic.

Defining Prac-Academic

A Prac-Academic, in essence, is an individual who seamlessly combines academic expertise with practical experience. Dr. M embodies this concept through her multifaceted roles- leadership in academia, and hands-on community engagement. As a Prac-Academic, she bridges the gap between theory and practice, contributing not only to scholarly discourse but also making a tangible impact on the communities she serves.

As a Prac-Academic, Dr. M's leadership is characterized by a holistic approach that integrates practical experience with academic rigor. Her role as the Design and Research Lead for the Rheumatic Fever Co-design Project with the New Zealand Ministry of Health (2021/2022) showcased her capability to apply academic principles, introducing and training her team in design thinking and human-centered design methodologies. This exemplifies the fusion of academic knowledge with practical, impactful solutions.

With a Doctorate in Media and Communications from RMIT University, a Post Graduate Certificate in Communication for Social Change from UNITEC New Zealand, and a Bachelor of International Communication from UNITEC New Zealand, Dr. M's educational journey reflects her commitment to combining academic rigor with practical, community-focused initiatives.

Community Engagement and Service-Oriented Leadership:

The establishment of the Village Response Collective stands as a testament to Dr. M's commitment to service and community development. As the architect and lead designer of the Village Response Plan and Reintegration Pathway, she addresses critical issues facing Pasifika communities, emphasizing early intervention, mentoring, and collaborative solutions.

Debra is a dedicated community advocate with extensive experience in both Pasifika and mainstream projects across New Zealand and Australia. Inspired by her parents' love for their family, village, and community service, she began her career in youth work in the early 2000s, working with education and youth providers to offer mentoring and youth programs in secondary schools. After moving to Melbourne in 2012, she transitioned into the Energy sector, focusing on Compliance, Risk & Assurance for nearly a decade while continuing her voluntary community support. Debra also champions her husband's West Papuan community through radio talkback and advocacy. Recently, she founded Lalaga Consultancy, aiming to weave together communities, people, and organisations to support those in need.

Talofa lava, my name is Madelene Viliamu. Born in Hawaii; raised & educated in NZ - I am of Samoan heritage who has been happily married for 20yrs & blessed with 4 beautiful children.

With 20yrs of work experience, I have spent 9yrs in various roles within Youth Justice as well a s the Children, Youth & Family Services. I am currently working as a Residential Youth Support Worker and

honoured to be a part of an initiative that is working at making a difference in the lives of our Pasefika youth.

Agnes is a passionate youth and community worker who over the last few years worked with over 100 students at various schools around the Western suburbs of Melbourne delivering cultural and mentoring programs as part of Charis Mentoring. As well as supporting and advocating for our Pasifika young people, she is heavily involved in her church community and community groups such as Pasefika Navigators, Pacific Young Leaders Group and more recently supporting the Wayfinders and Education projects with the Village Response Collective. Agnes has a heart for people and the knowledge she has gained from her experiences tell her that this exactly where she needs to be and that is to continue to use these opportunities to uplift our Pasifika community.

I’m ecstatic to join this wonderful organisation and support the wonderful work that’s been achieved so far. I’ve worked in Government and Community Services across Melbourne and Brisbane and Aotearoa. I’m passionate about Dr M and Debra vision of creating programs for our people and working as team in facilitating engagements across government, corporate and not-for-profit to increase and amplify voices of Pasifika communities in Victoria, to ultimately be the key advocacy organisation for all things Pasifika.

A bit about me, as a refugee from Rwanda and growing up in Aotearoa. I never really got to know my Rwandan culture. I slowly assimilated to the Pasifika community as I lacked that sense of belonging and I was welcomed and embraced as most of my friends and some I consider family are of Samoan heritage.

Cathleen is aTongan woman with connections to Vanuatu, Niue and Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), living in the Pacific diaspora. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by her creator - God, who is central to her way of being. Her Indigenous Pasifika knowledge has allowed her to professionally navigate the higher education sector for over two decades here in Australia and Aotearoa (NZ). She is a qualified Town Planner, with a passion for Education, and an interest in spatial relations between people,spaces and places to understand power and politics. This is also reflected in her research, as a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland. Her career had focused on widening participation and the advancement of Moana Oceania students in higher education. She is grateful to have been mentored and prayed over by her family, friends and amazing community to empower others to see their potential. Let the dreams of our ancestors be our reality.

Siaosi Gavet is Samoan and was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand. He has many years of experience in the community, youth, and education sectors in Auckland, and has had significant involvement with Pacific communities. Siaosi has created, designed, and/or led several Pacific youth development leadership programmes, like Tula’i Pasifika Youth Development, West Auckland Pasifika Forum, and Pasifika Plus PowerUp. He has also significant experience in working with government entities, securing numerous contracts, and acquiring funding from agencies and philanthropic organisations. His education experience spans the compulsory schooling and tertiary education sectors. Siaosi holds an MA(Hons) in social sciences, with a focus on Pacific youth.

Siaosi and his wife, Faoga, set up a Pacific youth development community trust in early 2019, before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and have since then, created two youth hubs in Auckland, that have served over 200 youth since its inception. They are in the throes of forming an establishment board, for their partnership venture to set up Auckland Sports College, one of New Zealand’s few, new partnership schools commencing February 2025.