A passionate content creator, Devni has built an online community of 12,000+ followers and truly believes in the transformative power of social media to drive change, recently fundraising $35,000+ to provide emergency meals for those affected by the Sri Lankan economic crisis. As a speaker, she’s spoken on platforms like CNN, while her advocacy focuses on combating issues faced by South Asians including colourism, disability rights and enhancing feminist justice.

A Cosmetologist with over 16 years’ experience, Nitasha was most recently Make-Up Artist at both Melbourne Fashion Week 2023 and Miss Grand Australia 2023. Passionate about addressing equal opportunities for South Asians behind-the-scenes in Media and Fashion, Nitasha also uses social media to candidly addresses topics of domestic violence, mental health and suicide, drawing from her own lived experiences, and actively engages with her community through initiatives like domestic violence awareness group SNEH.

Digital content creator Anuradha is a dedicated advocate and prominent leader in human rights, youth development and education, who has been recognised for her commitment to peace, community and student empowerment in Australia and beyond. Her influential advocacy and educational content inspires positive change and knowledge enrichment, particularly for schoolchildren in Sri Lanka, where she is originally from.

Melbourne-based influencer Ridhima is driven to reimagine and elevate the Australian Indian community and culture, through her passion projects Jashn E Khaas – Australia’s first luxury Diwali Ball, which this year took place right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD and Spirit of Diwali Melbourne – a first-of-its-kind elite expo bringing together South Asian businesses. A mother of two beautiful daughters, Madison and Vera, whom Ridhima says are her biggest inspiration behind anything she does.

Jatinder specialises in working with migrant and refugee communities and has advocated for these groups in various state and federal government policy reforms and on inquiries. Her career spans 20 years across mental health, child protection, refugee settlement, domestic violence, counselling and teaching Social Work. She has appeared on national media discussing such issues, including SBS documentary See What You Made Me Do.

Nazia is an economist, entrepreneur and social innovator. She specialises in evaluating and designing initiatives that improve social outcomes. She is CEO and Founder of social impact consulting firm The Social Outcomes Lab (SOULAB) and also founder of a number of social initiatives, most recently Her Kitchen Table, a meal delivery service empowering migrant and refugee women to help them create their own opportunities. Check out her TED Talk here.

A passionate advocate for Australian Muslims, women of colour and disadvantaged communities, Sabreen has made media appearances to discuss Islamophobia, racism, identity, and the role of religion in modern society. She is also Secretary of the Muslim Legal Network and volunteers at Diverse Women in Law. A recent law graduate, Sabreen will begin her practice, at international law firm Allens, in 2024.

With over 28 years expertise, Manorani Guy, a Malaysian of Chinese/Indian descent, founded and directs Asian Student Accommodation, while as President of VicWISE, she leads 9 professionals and 85 student volunteers, prioritising international student employability, well-being, and social justice nationally. Manorani champions diverse voices and teamwork in the international sector, serving on committees to drive positive change, stating “the smallest voice can make a difference, and wonderful things can be achieved.”

With 10 years of public and private sector experience across finance, legal and policy development, Tasnia co-founded Arise Foundation in 2021 to ‘make visible’ the invisible impact of financial abuse and provide finance freedom and sustainable economic security for survivors of domestic and family violence. A lecturer at UNSW (Centre for Social Impact) and board director at the Australia International Academy, she’s also part of advisory groups for Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA), and the Centre for Western Sydney.

Yesha’s journey began as a fashion enthusiast deeply troubled by the environmental toll of fast fashion. She stopped buying new clothes and pledged to disrupt the way society disposes textile waste. Using her knowledge from studying a Masters of Entrepreneurship, she founded After, Australia’s first textile recycling pick-up service. Her passion “lies in sustainable and circular fashion to ensure we take care of our beautiful environment.”

With a background and Masters in International Public Health, Vinita saw first-hand the disastrous health and environmental impacts of traditional cotton growing, including farmer suicides, child labour, birth defects and harmful dyes. After years ‘in the field’ meeting with NGOs, grassroots organisations and organic farmers, she decided to combine a deep love for the Earth, humanity and sustainable design to create Bhumi Organic Cotton, offering ethically made luxury home essentials.

Div is a diversity and inclusion practitioner, leader, researcher and advocate with 20+ years of experience in gender, race and cultural inclusion. Born, raised and educated in South Africa, she carries her lived experience of racial segregation. Named an Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence, she leads D&I consultancy MindTribes and social enterprise Culturally Diverse Women, is Chair of the D&I Committee at AmCham Australia and a Board Director at VicHealth.

Canadian-born and now Aussie, Kiran is an experienced, award-winning business and strategy leader in the advertising industry. Her Punjabi background drives her passion and relentless efforts in advocating for cultural and gender diversity in advertising and media. Kiran’s management expertise and community involvement also named her in Campaign Asia’s 40 under 40 marketing leaders in APAC.

Paulwyn is a Software and Electronics Engineer who has served in senior and general management roles at Canva. Curious and passionate about how modern technology can be best used to accelerate inner growth and transformation in people, Paulwyn set up tech startup Medoo, an intelligent coaching software, co-created with coaches & coachees, and powered by AI, that helps users increase retention, engagement and through-put.

Aish Ravi is a football coach and educator with a passion for creating inclusive spaces in sport. Her current research focuses on lived experiences of women football coaches, and developing effective anti-racism approaches for women and girls in community sport.

Nechal joined Cricket NSW as Head of Community Experience, where she continues her passion of increasing female participation in the sport and enhancing volunteer experience. Prior to this, Nechal led delivery of the crisis program to support thousands of New South Wales households experiencing financial hardship, to pay their energy bills. Nechal also volunteers as Vice-President of Girls Cricket at Castle Hill RSL Cricket Club.

As the first female Dholi in Canberra, Priya is making beats and breaking barriers. Co-owner & founder of Canberra Dholis, she has played at events like Mardi Gras and World Pride, and shared the stage with global icons like Panjabi MC. Before this, she played NCAA Division 1 soccer in the USA and is also a blood clot survivor and advocate.

Fueled by a passion to enhance on-screen diversity, Angelica Silva credits her inspiration to become a journalist with a desire to improve on screen diversity and share the stories of multicultural Australians. From interviewing Grace Tame for a fashion and beauty magazine to covering international conflicts for Australia’s national broadcaster, Angelica hopes to influence great change across Australia’s media landscape to ensure the inclusion of marginalised groups in all forms of storytelling,

Third-year Law and Arts student at the University of Sydney, Janika Fernando is a passionate writer inspired by her family’s Sri Lankan heritage. Her work, featured in prestigious university publications, weaves a vivid tapestry of cultural experiences. With over a year of legal experience, she’s progressed from Court Officer to Legal Case Manager at the Federal Court of Australia.

Malaysian-Punjabi journalist Simran Pasricha moved to Australia at age eleven. Originally planning a career in non-profits, Simran shifted to journalism to address media representation gaps. Specializing in underrepresented news stories and community issues, she navigates the intersection of activism and culture, prioritising accessible, thought-provoking reporting, and sparking critical thinking and actionable conversations within diverse communities. Follow her on TikTok.

Heena, a resilient 40+ woman, wife, and mother, embarked on a journey to start a small business with a vision: fostering Hindi language communication for younger generations in their home away from home. She became a self-taught illustrator during the pandemic before becoming a self-published children’s book creator. Heena now manages her small business while juggling a full-time corporate job. In the whirlwind of a hectic life, she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Noor, a Rohingya refugee, endured homelessness and perilous conditions to flee genocide, before resettling in Sydney in 2003. Despite these hardships, she emerged as a fierce advocate for Rohingya women, co-founding the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network. With a Bachelor of Education and Masters in Peace & Conflict Studies, Noor is a recognized young leader, serving as a UN delegate and contributing to various initiatives. Currently an English teacher, Noor’s commitment to refugee rights showcases resilience, compassion, and a dedication to inclusivity. Read more here.

A multi-award-winning youth & health advocate and medical student, Aayushi is also the founder of Body Buddies, a social enterprise dedicated to enhancing health literacy. Beyond her medical studies, she actively contributes to influential boards, including the VCAA Board, Australian Government STEM Youth Advisory Group, CMY Advisory Group, and the AMSA National Executive. Her impactful work seamlessly intertwines her passion for healthcare, education, and advocacy.

Divya stands as an accomplished leader in telecommunications, project management, and not-for-profit sectors, showcasing expertise in delivering business transformations and customer-centric strategies. An active board member and advisor for community-based organizations, she passionately advocates for gender equity, leading initiatives for systemic change. Also a sought-after mentor in STEM, Divya captivates audiences as a conference speaker, embodying a commitment to driving positive impact across industries.

Sonya is a multidisciplinary actor, director, producer and arts activist. The Melbourne University and WAAPA graduate has led projects, companies and festivals, creating myriad opportunities for artists over two decades. DEI advocacy is central to Sonya’s practice, she works tirelessly to decolonise our story-telling and champion artists of colour. Find out about her work here.

A first-generation Australian Indian and parent to two bi-cultural young adults, Rupa founded wellness studio MINDKSHETRA to help young adults build a robust sense of self and support parents in mindful, holistic parenting. Growing up in a culture where conversations about mental health are mostly non-existent, Rupa found an opportunity to spread mental health awareness within multicultural communities, using creative intelligence and cultural engagement.

Yasmin is of Indian/Malay descent and born in Perth, where she was raised half beach bum-half Muslim. The first Australian to be in the CBS Comedy Diversity Showcase, it led to stand-up performances at The Laugh Factory and Comedy Store. Recent acting credits include Sex Lives of College Girls, Joe Exotic, Dive Club and Neighbours, starring opposite Daniel Radcliffe (yes, Harry Potter) in Jungle and working with Kelsey Grammar on Guardians of the Tomb.

Sri Lankan Australian actress & writer Menik is best known for roles in Peter Jackson’s Mortal Engines, Oscar-nominated Lion, Neighbours, NCIS and Star Trek: Picard. Under the mentorship of Gurinder Chadha (Bend it Like Beckham), Menik’s debut screenplay Written In The Stars was selected for the prestigious 2021 CAPE x Black List.

Sashi is a Sri Lankan Australian comedian, writer…and recovering lawyer. Nominated for Best Newcomer Award at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, she is the only Australian comedian listed as ‘One to Watch’ at the 2021 UK Funny Women Awards. The only thing she hates more than reading her bio is writing her bio…but here’s her website.

Nandita, known as the ‘accidental writer’ for her successful novellas Meera Rising and Rosemary’s Retribution, were the product of her rehab therapy. Her latest memoir Dirty Little Secrets was a top 10 Editor’s Choice at Delhi Wire. She has also worked with acclaimed theatre directors Priya Srinivasan and Bruce Gladwin. In 2023, she won the Merri-bek High Commendation Award for Access and Inclusive and a Finalist in the Global Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Ashna is a Sydney-based doctor, speaker, writer and advocate, who serves as Chair of Young MWIA (Medical Women’s International Association). She also sits on the Global Youth Committee for the Global Institute of Women’s Leadership and is President of the Medical Women’s Society of NSW.

Manasi is a physician scientist, Global Clinical Scholar Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, whose work has started powerful conversations around sex, gender, religion and racial inclusivity in patient care. A recipient of Women’s Agenda Emerging Leader in Health and Endeavour Fellowship, her vision is to empower patients and their families to live a meaningful life despite experiencing pain.

A Griffith MBA Alumnus, with sixteen years of practice as a clinical sonographer in Medical Imaging, Aarti is a skilled clinical leader and management consultant, with expertise in transformation & governance, healthcare strategy and policy. On top of that, Aarti has a start-up called Wild Dreamer Productions, and writes, directs, and performs on stage to bring equity to marginalized stories. She is a proud wife, mother of two, triathlete, and a lifelong learner.

Sonia is a Kenyan-born Indian, who has lived in the UK and now calls Australia home. Always curious about how things worked, she pursued a degree in biological sciences before obtaining a PhD in cardiovascular genetics and leading her own research group at the University of Queensland. She is also mother to two incredible young girls.

Anushi is a recognised leader for developing novel bedside technologies for newborn babies. She founded Misti to progress a first-in-class lung delivery system, with a mission to protect the most vulnerable from respiratory infections. She successfully demonstrated a new platform for “inhaled DNA vaccines” during her PhD, being awarded 2010 Young Biomedical Engineer of the Year (Engineers Australia) for the discovery. A mother to young children, who loves to cook and practice mindfulness, she also founded the Think Project charity to facilitate transfer of STEM solutions to low resource settings.

Sagina founded the Beacon of Rights organization, to champion women’s and human rights through pro bono legal aid, bridge the gender literacy gap and spearhead a foreign policy approach through a feminist lens across South Asia. A policy advocate, Sagina focuses on digital literacy, menstrual hygiene, and safe workplaces, earning recognition as an Asia Global Fellow and President at the SAARC Business Council. Recipient of the Government of India Web Wonder Women Award in 2019, Times of India also recognised her as an inspiring woman in 2016.

Shalini Mahtani is one of Hong Kong’s most authoritative and respected voices on social issues, particularly diversity and inclusion. She is the founder of The Zubin Foundation, a charity that improves the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by providing them opportunities and reducing suffering. Shalini also serves on HK government board advisory and statutory bodies including Commission on Children.

In 2008, Polly founded The Sharan Project, a registered charity committed to supporting South Asian women in the UK facing disownment or ostracization due to forced marriage, honour-based abuse, dowry conflict, and domestic servitude. Through education, empowerment, and inspiration, Polly aims to guide women toward successful independent lives, free from fear.

Amy is a Chandigarh-based spoken word poet and facilitator, focused on storytelling, activism, and human connection. Known for performances at the Chandigarh and Bangalore Literature Festivals, her moving poem, Daak: To Lahore with Love, inspired a cross-border peace initiative. Amy also hosts Agla Warqa – The Partition Podcast, promoting peace between India and Pakistan, while an upcoming book offers a unique perspective on a recent Lahore visit. Recognized by TEDx, The Indian Express, The Tribune, Quint and Hindustan Times. Watch her BBC News Punjabi interview here.