An American entrepreneur leader whose influence was recognised by the White House, is the keynote speaker at the inaugural Women Invigorating Convention, which will be held in Suva this month.

Samira Cook Gaines leads other prominent women leaders – such as Fijian Washington-based lawyer, Imrana Jala, Investment Fiji chief executive officer, JennySeeto, in the two-day convention.

The convention will be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel on March 25-26.

The Women Entrepreneurs and Business Council, organisers of what they hope will be an annual event, made the announcement yesterday.

Keynote Speaker
Ms Gaines is the managing director of strategic partnerships for Rising Tide Capital (RTC) – a non profit organisation that aims to transform lives through entrepreneurship.

In honour of her work with small businesses, she was chosen as a White House Champion for Change in the area of entrepreneurship mentoring under the Obama administration.

Ms Gaines was the founding director of the Washington, DC Women’s Business Center, which supports women entrepreneurs through training, coaching, and mentoring.

Under her direction, the Washington Business Council assisted over 1000 women in achieving their business goals.

Ms Gaines is the president of Purposeful World Strategies, which helps cities and countries identify, incubate, and ignite their entrepreneurs and small business owners by creating structures for inclusive entrepreneurship andsmall business support.

Her work has taken her to numerous countries as a speaker, facilitator, trainer, and consultant for governments, organisations, and
universities in Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Latin America and the Caribbean.

American Women Leader, Samira Cook Gaines, will be keynote speaker at the inaugural Women Invigorating the Nation Convention, Fijian Washington-based consultant to The World Bank, Imrana Jalal and Investment Fiji Chairperson, Jenny Seeto.

About The Convention
An estimated 200 participants are expected to attend the convention.

Registration date has been extended as more floor space has been made available for the event.

The convention-proper will be held on March 26, through four sessions of panel discussions.

Non registered members will pay $400 each, while financial members will pay $200.

“Consider it as an investment,” said Women Entrepreneurs and Business Industry vice chair East, Sharyne Fong.

“It’s not about the expense; it’s about networking in the interest of business progress.

“It is an investment in your development.”

Mark One Apparel managing director, Mark Halabe, Ms Jalal and Ms Seeto will speak on the topic of Unlocking Your Potential.

Accountant Lisa Apted, tourism executive Olivia Mavoa, and motivational speaker, Moses O’Connor, will speak about flourishing business models with ethics and integrity for longevity.

Fiji New Zealand Business Council President, Renu Chand, is among speakers who are expected to touch on Moving Towards Resilient Business Environment.

Leveraging off digitalisation and hearing for the future is an area of interest that Fiji Airways executive manager digital channels and tourism partnerships, Akuila Batiweti, will speak about.

Outcomes
Women Entrepreneurs and Business Council chairperson, Eseta Nadakuitavuki, said the desired outcomes of the convention include:
–  activating role models, and

–  pivorting women to prosper.

“The event will be an opportunity to network and share risks, best practices,” Ms Nadakuitavuki said.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj