WOD Awardee Lunch – Sydney, Australia

21 October 2024

Once again we were able to celebrate in person with some of our Awardees or their representatives – at lunch held in Sydney on 21 October 2024.

Attended by four of our Board Members: Myself, Diane Tomson, Margaret (Peg) Weir and Kathy Brookes. We hosted:

Alteris Women

Category: Corporate Initiatives for Women’s Economic Empowerment

Country: Australia

Alteris Women’s mission is to advance women’s economic empowerment. The team of senior professional women have the skills, knowledge, and lived experience that enables them to enhance all women’s financial confidence and wellbeing at every stage of life. It is their mission to advance women’s economic standing by empowering women with insights, education, and tools that give them the confidence to make decisions that best suit their needs. By using their collective wisdom, expertise and commitment, Alteris Women also contribute to programs that have a direct impact on women’s economic empowerment both at home and abroad. Alteris Women hold events called “Insights” where speakers and groups share insights on managing money, investing, and preparation. They support the work of charitable organizations who significantly demonstrate efforts towards women’s economic empowerment

Represented by:

Lisa Fuentes (COO- Alteris Financial Group)
- Naomi Holmes (Head of Client Engagement – Alteris Financial Group )
- Jo Akkari (Manager Brand and Marketing – Alteris Financial Group)

Nadia Sanchez

Category: Non-Profit/NGO

Country: Colombia

Nadia Sanchez has made significant contributions to international development, having worked with esteemed organizations like the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Organization of American States in Washington, DC.

As the President of the She Is Foundation, Nadia leads initiatives promoting economic empowerment and digital inclusion for women across Colombia and seven other countries, including Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and the United States. To date, the She Is Foundation has developed over 500 programs, benefiting more than 17,000 women and girls. Additionally, she fosters the SHE IS GLOBAL FORUM, uniting over 30 countries and 81,000 individuals in a powerful network for women’s empowerment and global change.

Nadia’s influence extends globally. She has been honored in over 15 countries and given lectures in 22 countries. Her impactful work has been recognized by the World Bank and the White House, and she was named as one of Forbes’ most powerful women. In 2024, she received the prestigious Cafam Woman of the Year award in Colombia.

Represented by:

Irene Restrepo (Admin Officer and Marketing LATAM Australian Management and Education Services – AMES GROUP Australia)

Michael Sunbola

Category: Non-Profit/NGO

Country: Nigeria

Michael Sunbola is a leader with a passion for advocating for sustainability in food systems. He has demonstrated a commitment to addressing one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria and Africa as a whole= hunger and poverty, by establishing Nigeria’s first Indigenous food bank. The Lagos Food Bank initiative has made considerable progress in ensuring food security and nutrition in over 160 communities, reaching over 2,400,000 beneficiaries since inception. The Food Bank has not only provided regular food supplies to vulnerable households but has also provided vulnerable women with farming skills and resources. The program provides food security and nutrition and contributes to financial stability, natural resource management, and rural community cohesion. For his work Michael has been the recipient of several distinguished awards. Future-focused, Michael aspires to build a society where everyone has access to wholesome food and where the most vulnerable people have the tools they need to escape poverty.

Represented by

Sarah Pennell, COO of Foodbank Australia

As always, I am humbled by the achievements of our Awrdees.

Empower Women. Save the World.

Donna Meredith
President, TIAW