August was a heavy month for this community.
On 10 August 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Chocó region of Colombia, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands, with severe damage in Cali, Pereira and Quibdó. On 26 August 2026, a glacier collapse in the Langtang range sent a flash flood down Nepal's Trishuli River, destroying entire settlements. More than a thousand people have died and thousands are still missing.
To our Colombian and Nepali members, and to anyone with family in those regions – some of you are still waiting for news, and we are thinking of you. If there is anything you need from us, please reach out.
We were moved to see members of this community organise relief efforts themselves, and PMW was glad to support them. If you are organising something, tell us. We can't promise to fund the initiatives, but we can always help you reach this community.
I want to share something else from last month, because it came from the same place: this community showing up.
Alongside my role at PMW, I work in sustainable investment. On 20 August I was one of four speakers at a session of RIAA's Human Rights Working Group ˆ a group that brings together Australia's super funds and institutional investors — on the theme From Human Rights to Systemic Risk: Understanding Inequality and Decent Work.
I spoke about PMW – about what seven years of serving this community has taught us about what happens to skilled migrant women in the Australian labour market. My argument was this: when employers can't recognise overseas qualifications and experience, skills that are already here go unused. That isn't only a fairness problem. It shows up as systemic risk – a company that is not deploying its people well, and often a signal of weaker management more broadly. Investors should be asking about it.
I also told them my own story – that I was unemployed, and then underemployed, after arriving in Australia, and what that did to my confidence. Several people messaged me afterwards to thank me for putting the subject on the table.
Here is the part I keep coming back to. To prepare, I asked the PMW Level Up community for ideas and for pushback, and what came back shaped what I said. I didn't walk into that room with only my own opinion. I walked in with yours.
Thank you for that.
One last thing, and it isn't a coincidence. One of my fellow speakers that morning, Ashley Kopczynski of IFM Investors, will be joining us on the panel at PMW's 7th Anniversary: The Power We Bring on 5 November 2026. These conversations are moving closer to us. Early Bird tickets are open now.
Warm regards,
Diana Santibanez
SPOTLIGHTING | Welcome to our two wonderful interns from UTS
My name is Sonia and I am PMW's Community Engagement & Programs Intern for the next few months. I will be helping with managing PMW Level Up, organising the monthly city meet-ups and communications support. If you have any questions or concerns about the platform, please do not hesitate to let me know and I will do my best to assist you.
As a previous international student, I understand how daunting and confusing integrating into a completely new cultural landscape can be, and truly believe that community and support systems make the transition much clearer and manageable. I hope I can be at least a little bit of that help in your professional journeys during my time with PMW!
My name is Ainsley and I am currently PMW’s Community Engagement & Administrator Intern. For the next few months, I will be helping the PMW team with behind the scenes administrative work, as well as some exciting content-based projects.
Having spent the beginning of this year abroad, I experienced first hand the importance of connection and community when arriving in a new cultural and linguistic environment, and I hope to bring this understanding creatively to my work over the next couple of months.
What we've been up to
LAUNCHING | New website!
Our new website is officially LIVE, and we're a bit excited about it!
New look. New feel. Same PMW heart.
It’s been created to better reflect who PMW is today, the community we’ve grown into, and all the ways professional migrant women can connect, learn, grow and get involved.
We welcome you to have a browse through and let us know the first thing that caught your eye!
LEVELING | Up with Free PMW City Spaces
We are so happy to announce that we now have PMW Level Up City Spaces in all major cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth!
Think of these spaces as your local PMW hub. A place to connect with other migrant women in your city, hear about local opportunities and events, ask questions, share wins, and build relationships beyond a monthly meetup.
And here's our challenge to you: don't just join, say hello!
Introduce yourself. Share what you do. Ask a question. Tell us what you're working towards. Chances are there's another woman in your city looking for exactly the same kind of connection.
Our PMW Ambassadors are already there, ready to welcome you, start conversations, and help connect you with other women in your local community.
Join your city's Community Space and help us bring it to life:
We also welcome PMW members in our Free City Spaces to have a look at our full membership PMW Level Up Program to help boost your career in Australia. Level Up is a safe and supportive community with strong connections, providing practical tools and guidance for the Australian job market designed specially for migrant women.
Upcoming training and events
MELBOURNE | PMW | GATHERING | 7th Anniversary 2026 | Thursday 5 November 2026 | 5.30-8.30pm AEDT
We're doing it again.
And if I'm honest, this is one of our events I'm most proud of.
Because this is the kind of room I wish I had been invited into when I first arrived in Australia.
A room where you don't just hear from successful leaders. Oh no! This is a room where you actually sit with them. You ask questions. You learn from their mistakes, their decisions, and their journeys.
Our theme for this year is The Power We Bring: Migrant Women and Australia's Economy. This anniversary we wanted to focus on the economic contribution migrant women have already made to Australia and the opportunity we create when their talent is fully recognised, valued and enabled to thrive.
Our incredible and inspiring panellists for the night include:
- Vivienne Nguyen – former Victorian Multicultural Commissioner.
- Fabiola Campbell – founder of Professional Migrant Women (PMC).
- Ashley Kopczynski – Director of Sustainable Investment and Stewardship at IFM Investor and is the Co-Chair of RIAA Human Rights Working Group.
If you are a PMW Level-Up member, register through the platform to claim your exclusive ticket price!
- Where: Sidney Myer Asia Centre: Building 158, Parkville VIC Australia
- Cost: From $20
- Bookings: online via Eventbrite
We hope to see you there!
AUST | PMW | WEBINAR | In Conversation With (ICW) Solange Lipcin | Friday 23 October 2026 | 12noon-1pm AEDT
We're thrilled to introduce Solange as our October guest! Solange is an Argentinian-born, Australia-based social entrepreneur dedicated to supporting migrant communities across Australia. Her work centres on helping individuals thrive professionally while integrating with confidence into Australian culture.
She's the founder of The Daring Collective, a storytelling platform devoted to elevating migrant voices and empowering change-makers to share stories that inspire connection, belonging, and transformation.
Solange is also the co-founder and former Director of LatinOz Queensland, supporting migrant entrepreneurs and strengthening cultural engagement across the state.
At the heart of everything Solange does is a deep commitment to community, mutual support, and belonging.
Join us on 23 October and discover the story behind her work. I have a feeling you'll leave inspired, and probably wishing you'd met her sooner.
- Where: This online event is held via Zoom. The access link will be send to you a day before the event.
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: online via Humanitix
Javiera's Professional Coaching for your 2027
What if your next chapter wasn't something you figured out alone, at midnight, in a notes app?
We're launching a new porgram with executive coach
Javiera Parra Álvarez - an initimate, 5-session experience for professional women ready to build their 2027 Professional Plan, alongside a small circle of women who'll actually hold each other accountable to it.
This isn't a generic goal-setting workshop. It's for women with a strong track record and a real appetite for what's next - driven, reflective, and serious about the work, without losing the joy in it. Women who's rather build this with others than work through it alone.
AUST | PMW | WEBINAR | Stepping Into Leadership Roles Intentionally | Thursday 1 October 2026 | 12noon-1pm AEST
Have you ever waited for the chance to be recognised for a promotion or a leadership role, but feel invisible?
Not because you weren't capable.
Because you weren't sure of the unspoken rules and choices towards becoming a leader.
For many migrant women, leadership is something shaped by culture, migration experience, gender expectations, visibility opportunities and so much more.
That's why I'm excited about this masterclass with
Gloria Yuen.
This isn't a session about tips and tricks into becoming a leader. It's about understanding your professional identity and visibility, and challenging the quiet rules you might be following that could be preventing you from taking the next step.
You'll leave with practical tools, a clearer focus, and most importantly, one action you can take towards an opportunity you've been putting off.
- Where: This online workshop is held via Zoom. Access link will be delivered via email upon registration
- Cost: Free for PMW Level Up members; General Admission ticket $35.00 + $1.38 fee
- Bookings: online via Humanitix
What's new?
Australia Announces Major Migration Reforms
On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a significant overhaul of Australia's visa system, aiming to reduce net overseas migration to 245,000 this financial year and to 225,000 by 2027–28. The reforms introduce tighter rules for temporary migrants who bring family members, change visas, or extend their stay.
As part of the announcement, Burke addressed proposals – including from One Nation – to restrict skilled migrants from bringing spouses and children to Australia. He noted that around half of doctors and construction workers, and two-thirds of nurses currently in the workforce, arrived in the country together with their families, pointing to family migration as a longstanding and integrated part of the skilled workforce.
The changes come alongside ABS data showing net overseas migration was 292,100 for the year to March 2026, and have drawn mixed reactions across sectors — with some industry groups warning of workforce impacts, while the government maintains the reforms are intended to better align migration with labour market needs.
At PMW, we recognise that migration policy changes like these directly affect our members — from those navigating family visas to those building careers in Australia. As always, we encourage our community to seek up-to-date advice from a registered migration agent regarding how these changes may affect their individual circumstances, and to make their voices heard through consultation processes where relevant.
Get Involved
Have thoughts on how this affects you or your family? Share them in our online platform, PMW Level Up.
Know someone impacted by these visa changes? Connect them with our supportive network.
Community voices
This section is dedicated to amplifying the work, stories, events, achievements, and opportunities coming directly from our community.
At PMW, we believe we all grow stronger when we share the spotlight. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, launching a project, hosting an event, publishing a resource, or simply have something valuable to share, we'd love to help spread the word.
Have something you'd like featured in a future edition of Thriving Us? Submit your content by the last week of each month using the link below.
LAUGHING | Don't Screw the Kru
Kru Haralle’s hilarious debut comedy hour exploring life across countries and cultures. Through sharp observations and fast-paced storytelling, Kru turns identity crises, culture clashes and life’s screw-ups into plenty of laughs.
EXPLORING | The Return Project
Written and directed by Ala’a Al Qaisi, blends poetry, performance and visual storytelling to explore war, memory and our shared humanity. Dedicated to lives lost in Gaza, this moving theatrical experience offers a moment of reflection, healing and hope.
BEING | Breathe & Connect | A Community Wellbeing Experience | Saturday 26 September 2026
A guided breath work experience designed to create space for pause, wellbeing and community connection. Presented by Healing Noor Collective and Be, The Art of Being, the session will be held in Carlton
Connecting with PMW
- Level Up Your Career. Join a community of migrant women growing, connecting, and advancing together.
- Subscribing. If you have been forwarded this email from a friend, you can subscribe to our newsletter
- Contributing. Do you have recommendations, resources, or information that you think would benefit our community? Share your insights and help us create a richer, more engaging newsletter for everyone!
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Professional Migrant Women (PWM)
Professional Migrant Women (PMW) would like to acknowledge that we stand in lands that have never been ceded. We pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the lands on which we are fortunate to live, love, work and thrive. We acknowledge diversity, advocate for inclusion and foster a sense of belonging.
