The YWCA is back in Te Pane Matua Taiao, the Greater Wellington region
E Hine Fund for Young Wāhine
Y Greater Wellington is newly revived member association of Y Aotearoa New Zealand. In July 2023, we are launching the second funding round of our E Hine Fund to support young women* in Te Pane Matua Taiao, the Greater Wellington region to pursue their aspirations and positively impact young women and their communities.
*Our definition of ‘women’ is intersectional and inclusive. We are for all women - tāngata whenua, Indigenous women and women of colour, trans and queer women, femmes, disabled women, former refugee and immigrant women, and women of every faith, ethnicity, community and economic background. We are for all women being respected, celebrated and embraced for who they are. We take a strong stand against trans exclusionary feminism and firmly reject any form of discrimination or exclusion based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We actively strive to address and dismantle barriers that may hinder inclusivity and equity in our decision making.
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
Te Poari O Y Te Pane Matua Taiao | The Y Greater Wellington Board
Dr Suzy Morrissey - Tumuaki | President
Dr Suzy Morrissey is the Tumuaki, President of the Y Greater Wellington. She is the director of policy at the Commission for Financial Capability. Suzy is a chartered accountant and was awarded a fellowship (FCA) in 2018, recognising outstanding achievement and contribution. Her PhD focused on women and tax policy, particularly paid parental leave. She co-founded the Government Women's Network and the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa Hub.
Alyce Lysaght - Kaitiaki o Pūtea | Treasurer
Alyce Lysaght is an uri of Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāti Porou through the Rolleston/Roretana whānau on her Mum’s side, and she has Irish lineage from the McLysaght clan on her Dad’s side. Alyce serves as the Kaitiaki o Pūtea, Treasurer for the Y Greater Wellington. Alyce is a part of this rōpū because she believes strongly in the positive impact that empowering individuals and teams can have, aligning with the purpose of the E Hine Fund. Having studied engineering in Ō Tautahi, she relocated to Te Whanganui a Tara in 2022 to work as a Water Engineer, striving to create a better future for the next generation.
Rhianna Morar - Mema Poari | Board Member
Rhianna hails from Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa, and Gujarat. She works for specialist Māori law firm Kāhui Legal. During her studies, Rhianna served on the University Council and Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association, Ngā Rangahautira – the Māori Law Students’ Association, and Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa – the Māori Law Society. She has published several articles on the intersection between tikanga Māori and State law.
Prabha Ravi QSM - MEMA POARI | BOARD MEMBER
Prabha Ravi QSM, JP is an independent director and has over 15 years governance experience across education, health. sports, community and the arts. She is on the boards/committees of Women on Boards, the Hutt Valley Council Community Panel Central Ward, Aotearoa Kapa Haka Ltd, Bats Theatre, Cricket Wellington and more. She was the chair of the Hutt Valley DHB Consumer Council, and runs her own consultancy firm and dance school.
Devanga Wanigasinghe - Mema Poari | Board Member
Devanga Wanigasinghe is a first-generation Sri Lankan New Zealander. She is a Lead Advisor at Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga The Ministry of Education. Her background is in EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion), community engagement and partnership, communications and service design. She believes in avoiding the path of least resistance and stepping outside of comfort zones to drive meaningful change for communities. Devanga is the Co-President of Y Aotearoa New Zealand alongside Karinia Lee and a board member of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance.
Jo Hickling - Mema Poari | Board Member
Jo is a born and bred Wellingtonian and an experienced public sector manager. She is a skilled people and culture leader and through a range of roles, has led a number of programmes in diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and equal pay. She currently works as Head of People and Culture at Te Tāhū o Te Ture (Ministry of Justice). She is an advocate for social justice and facilitating opportunities for young women in leadership roles - both formal and informal.