June was a very special month for PMW.
As I sit down to write this month's newsletter, I can't help but smile. The She-Suite Gala exceeded everything we had hoped for, and my heart is still full every time I think about that room—100 women leaders coming together to connect, share stories, and remind each other that none of us succeeds alone.
To every member of our community who joined us, every volunteer who worked behind the scenes, our sponsors, and especially the incredible C-suite leaders who generously hosted a table that evening—thank you. You helped create something truly meaningful, and I hope you left feeling as inspired as we did.
During my speech that night, I shared an anecdote that has stayed with me ever since. Months ago, I had a very unexpected moment on the street. A kind of an influencer approached me and asked a simple question: "Do you think world peace is possible?" Without overthinking it, I said yes. And when he asked me how, I said, "Through more women in leadership."
I strongly believe what I told him. Not because women are inherently better human beings, but because when leadership becomes more inclusive, it becomes more human, more connected, more empathetic, and more focused on long-term wellbeing rather than short-term power.
And yet, I keep noticing how often women are missing from the tables where the biggest decisions get made – in the wars still devastating communities, in the growing power corporations hold over our lives, in the slow crawl of climate action.
It's shown up closer to the surface, too, in the corruption scandal that has followed this year's World Cup, including allegations of unfair treatment toward some teams during the tournament. As many organisations, FIFA remains overwhelmingly led by men and, more than 120 years after its founding, has still never had a female president. No one can say with certainty that more women in leadership would have prevented any of this. But I do believe that greater diversity around decision-making tables leads to better questions, healthier accountability, and more balanced outcomes.
And continuing with the World Cup spirit, what's genuinely surprised me these past few weeks is how many people – particularly men – have spoken up passionately about the unfairness these teams faced. That willingness to call out injustice has been encouraging to watch.
I only hope we can bring that same passion and collective voice to the injustices women and girls face every single day. Imagine what we could achieve if gender inequality sparked the same outrage as a controversial referee call at a soccer game.
That's the world PMW is working towards – a world where leadership reflects the diversity of our communities, where more women have a seat at the table, and where different perspectives lead to better decisions for everyone.
We're always looking to support the initiatives that move that forward, in whatever shape they take. If you have an idea, reply to this email – I read every one.
Warm regards,
Diana Santibañez
REPORTING | Our First Ascend Cohort Has Graduated
In June, we proudly celebrated the completion of the very first Ascend program. Ten talented migrant women committed to eight weeks of learning, reflection and growth, supported by an incredible community of volunteers, speakers and mentors.
Ascend was created for migrant women who are ready for the next step in their careers, but who often find themselves navigating progression, visibility, leadership pathways and sponsorship in Australia without the support or guidance they deserve.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Scanlon Foundation for making this program possible, and to Lina Orozco Munera, our Director of Communications, Engagement & Program who designed, planned and delivered every aspect of the program from the ground up, creating a thoughtful journey that combined practical knowledge, genuine connection and a deep understanding of the migrant experience.
We are also incredibly grateful to our two wonderful volunteers, Kelly Fernandez and Fatemeh Amin, and to our eight inspiring guest speakers, who shared their knowledge, experiences and practical advice.
Most importantly, congratulations to our ten participants. Thank you for trusting us, showing up each week with curiosity and courage, and supporting one another along the way. Watching your confidence grow has been a privilege, and we cannot wait to see where your careers take you next.
We're exploring the opportunity to run Ascend again in the near future, so if you missed out this time, stay tuned!
REPORTING | She Suite Gala brought together over 100 leaders and professionals
More than 100 attendees, including 10 C-suite leaders, came together for an inspiring evening of leadership, connection and meaningful conversations at the She Suite Gala.
The event created a welcoming space for professional migrant women and allies to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from experienced leaders who generously shared their insights on leadership, career growth and building more inclusive workplaces.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a memorable success. It was wonderful to see so many meaningful conversations, new connections and future collaborations begin around the room.
If you weren't able to join us this year, don't worry—we'll be doing it all again next year, and we'd love to see you there.
CONTINUING | Our Research Journey: Thank You for Your Contribution
We’re excited to share that our survey “Addressing the Gender Pay Gap for Culturally Diverse Women in Australia” has now officially closed.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and share their experiences. Your contribution is incredibly valuable and will help us better understand the opportunities, challenges and barriers faced by culturally diverse women in Australia as they navigate their careers.
This important research is being conducted in collaboration with Melbourne Business School and is proudly supported by Women in Super and GenVic. Together, we are working to better understand the experiences of culturally diverse women and contribute to more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
So, what happens next?
- Prize draw winners will be announced soon: A big congratulations in advance to the three lucky participants who will receive prizes of $250, $150 and $100 AUD.
- Participant interviews will begin shortly: Over the coming weeks, we will reach out to some participants who expressed interest in taking part in an interview. These conversations will allow us to explore the experiences behind the data in more depth.
- Data analysis and report development: From early to mid-August, we will begin analysing the survey and interview responses with the Melbourne Business School team and start developing the first draft of the report.
- Community feedback and final report: We expect to have a first draft ready by mid-September. Before finalising the report, we will share it with a group of community members to gather feedback and insights. If you would like to be considered for this review group, please reach out—we would love to include your perspective.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed to this important piece of research. Your voices are helping us build a stronger understanding of the experiences of culturally diverse women in Australia.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as we move forward and look forward to sharing the findings with our community later this year.
Upcoming training and events
BRISBANE | PMW | Monthly Meetups | Friday 17 July 2026 | 5.30-7.30pm AEST
Join fellow professional migrant women in Brisbane for an evening of meaningful conversations, networking, and community. Whether you're new to PMW or a familiar face, our monthly meetups are a welcoming space to connect, share experiences, and grow your professional network.
- Where: Mu'ooz, Brisbane
- Cost: Free admission
- Bookings: Register Now
MELBOURNE | PMW | Meetups | Thursday 23 July 2026 | 5.30-8pm AEST
Expand your professional network and connect with inspiring migrant women at our Melbourne monthly meetup. Join us for an evening of conversation, collaboration, and community in a welcoming environment.
- Where: Quarterhouse, Docklands
- Cost: Free admission
- Bookings: Register Now
AUST | WEBINAR | Ask a Recruiter with Sera Muratyan | Wednesday 29 July 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm ACST
Have questions about your job search, CV, interviews, or career progression? Join our Ask a Recruiter session and gain practical advice directly from an experienced recruiter to help you navigate Australia's job market with confidence.
- Where: Online
- Cost: General Admission $25.00 + $1.13 fee
- Bookings: Register Now
AUST | WEBINAR | In Conversations with Simranpreet Kaur | Friday 31 July 2026 | 12noon-1pm AEST
Join us for an inspiring conversation as Simranpreet Kaur shares her professional journey, leadership experiences, and practical insights for migrant women building successful careers in Australia.
- Where: Online
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: Register Now
OFFERING | Exclusive PMW Level Up Members
TALKING | Fireside Conversation – Beyond Impostor Syndrome: Identity, Belonging & the Voice Within | Saturday 18 July 2026
Intimate fireside conversation exploring impostor syndrome through the lenses of belonging, identity and the inner voice we carry while navigating life in a country that is not our own.
Facilitated by Javiera Parra Álvarez, Organisational Psychologist and Executive Coach this in person, small-group session creates a safe and reflective space for honest conversations, shared experiences and meaningful connections among women from diverse backgrounds.
With limited places available, the gathering allowed participants to explore the challenges of finding confidence, embracing their identity and recognising their own strengths while building their lives and careers in Australia.
This event is exclusively for PMW Level Up members and mentors.
BUILDING | Confidence in Investing | Friday 24 July 2026
Understanding investing doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this practical PMW Level Up session, participants will gain a clear introduction to the fundamentals of investing and learn how to make more informed financial decisions.
Led by investment expert Linda Trusler, this online session will explore investing basics, shares, ETFs, managed funds, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for long-term financial planning. Diana Santibanez will also share insights into ESG and sustainable investing, highlighting how responsible investment is shaping the future of finance.
This event is exclusively for PMW Level Up members.
What's new?
INTRODUCING | Melbourne Community Space
Keeping up with events, opportunities, and conversations in our Melbourne WhatsApp group hasn't always been easy — so we built something better.
We're excited to introduce the Melbourne Community Space, now live inside PMW Level Up as part of Limited Access membership: a dedicated hub for our Melbourne community to connect, share ideas, and support one another — all in one organised place.
Inside, you'll find:
- Community conversations
- Melbourne Meet Up dates, plus other local events happening around Melbourne
- Member profiles
- A directory of businesses owned by women in our community
Want the full PMW experience?
Upgrade to Full Membership to unlock access to our national community, mentoring, online events, job opportunities, and advanced networking features — plus, every membership directly supports the programs and opportunities we create for skilled migrant women across Australia.
Getting started is easy – log in to PMW Level Up to explore the Melbourne Community Limited Access, or upgrade to Full Membership for the complete PMW experience.
This is just the beginning – more city-based community spaces are coming soon across Australia. Stay tuned!
SHARING | Your Experience with PMW
We’d love to hear your story. Whether you found a job, connected with someone inspiring, grew your confidence, or contributed as a speaker or volunteer through our community, your experience matters.
Your testimonial helps us inspire others, showcase impact, and continue building a powerful space for migrant women. This form will only take a few minutes and will guide you through different options depending on your experience.
Thank you for sharing with us 🧡
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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.