Join Vanisa Dhiru as she takes you through her personal journey of being a changemaker, activator and leader in social causes close to her heart – fair trade, gender equality, race relations and youth leadership. She will share key tips and a range of opportunities on how to get into activism, engage in community building, and what you can do as an individual to help create the change for a better future – whatever your interest or passion. Come and get inspired to see how you can get involved in making our community, country and world a better place for all.
This session is part of the Suffrage in Stitches exhibition programme, celebrating the activism that supported Aotearoa New Zealand to become the first country in the world to allow women to vote.

Manawatū-born Indian Vanisa Dhiru is an equality champion with a strong sense of social responsibility. She holds commissioner roles with the NZ National Commission of UNESCO and the Library & Information Advisory Commission, alongside other advisory and board roles for NGOs and government departments.
During her career, Vanisa has held various leadership roles including CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, Executive Director of 20/20 Trust, and President of the National Council of Women NZ. Based in Wellington, she is a member of the global BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network, Global Women NZ, and the Manawatū regional Te Aho Tāmaka leadership programme.