Service through
executive leadership.

The Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) remains committed with its vision to create a sustainable platform for advancing women in executive leadership roles through relevant training and supporting gaps that are a hindrance to the advancement of women in the executive leadership space. Reaffirming this commitment, WELSI successfully hosted its second Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Honiara on Thursday 13 August 2026. This presented an opportunity for WELSI to present to members and stakeholders an overview of its performance, challenges, and achievements from July 2025 to June 2026. For WELSI, the past year saw notable advancements in strengthening organizational capability and governance, positioning WELSI to advance its objectives effectively, sustainably, and ethically. During the AGM, a new WELSI Board was elected by its members as the leading organization that creates a sustainable platform for advancing women in executive leadership roles. Ms. Pamela Naesol was elected unopposed as the President (Chair) of WELSI to be supported by Ms. Dinna Irofufuli as Vice President (Vice Chair), Ms. Simaema Neilsen as Secretary and Ms. Nina Chen and Ms. Barbara Kyere the ordinary members. In presenting WELSI’s Annual Report at the AGM, Ms. Naesol highlighted the key achievements which included the establishment of the inaugural Board of WELSI, a revised strategic plan for the next three years to align its activities with its strategic priorities, an annual workplan and a corresponding budget were developed to guide the operations of WELSI during the year and the launch of the WELSI website. One of the main achievements is the delivery of the Solomon Islands Senior Women in Executive Leadership Training Program, WELSI’s flagship leadership program. Eight cohorts of the program have been delivered from 2023-2026, reaching 159 women leaders and emerging leaders. “Participants have come from the private and public sectors and civil society, strengthening their leadership capabilities, confidence, professional networks, governance knowledge, and career development,” WELSI President, Ms. Naesol, said. “The growing alumni network reflects WELSI’s continued contribution to developing women for leadership and decision-making roles across sectors,” she added. This also led to the launch of the WELSI SheLeads Mentorship Program in June. The program currently supports eight mentor/mentee relationships and is anticipated to grow over the coming months and year. Ms. Naesol also highlighted the future priorities for WELSI heading into the future. She said they are looking at expanding the organization’s capacity and capability to be able to deliver more services and benefits to members through diversification of organic revenue streams, corporate sponsorship and grant funding support. “Also expand leadership trainings and professional development opportunities for women in the executive leadership space to strengthen their leadership skills and competencies. “With this we aim to increase membership numbers of WELSI by increasing the value proposition for members and strengthen mentorship and peer networks for women in executive leadership,” she said. WELSI, launched in October 2024, is an initiative that was birthed through a strategic collaboration between three partner organisations, the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA) and the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) bearing witness to the rise of a movement that will impact generations to come. ENDS///…with photo Caption: Photo 1: WELSI members, stakeholders and the new WELSI Board members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 13 August 2026 at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Through its flagship leadership program, the Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) continues to build a community of highly competent women who can effectively participate in higher decision-making positions including Chief Executive Officer positions and board positions in organizations in Solomon Islands. On Friday 7 August 2026, WELSI, its members and stakeholders yet again witnessed the graduation of eighteen (18) aspiring women leaders from the Solomon Islands Senior Executive Women in Leadership Program. The women, who representing different organizations from the private sector, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the public sector, successfully completed the four-day program empowered in fundamental areas critical for effective leadership. This is the eighth cohort since 2023 and the program continues to be delivered by WELSI as a professional network that supports and connects women in senior leadership and executive roles across the Solomon Islands. One of the participants from the recent cohort is Ms. Barbara Kyere, an engineer by profession who works a Project Port Engineer at Solomon Ports. The program has helped Barbara built well-rounded leadership skills as she aims to progress upwards in her professional career. “It’ was an eye opener training for me personally,” she said. “The program has helped us women to see the bigger picture and practical tools we can use in terms of communications, networking and decision making at senior leadership positions and at the board level as well,” Barbara added. Now she has the confidence to step into leadership roles within her organization and also her community. “This is because this training has equipped us with the relevant tools that will help us contribute at a senior level and also to make sound financial recommendations and support women in my workplace and community. “Barbara would recommend other professional women to sign up and join future deliveries of the program. Because this will help them like it has helped me to reflect on myself, the progress that I have made and where’s the direction for me forward into the future,” she said. Lucy Piko is the Executive Secretary to the Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Power. “I have learned a lot from the four-day program. It helps us to see where we are now in terms of our career and where we want to be in the future,” Lucy said. Salome Ganea, a Senior Legal Officer at Our Telekom, is among young aspiring women leaders from cohort 8 of the program. She believes there is a huge potential for women leadership in different organizations in Solomon Islands and that this training is one of the many tools that can produce more women in leadership. “This is a very insightful and informative training. And I have gained a lot of knowledge about women leadership in Solomon Islands and I’m very thankful to WELSI for creating such a platform for us professional women in Solomon Islands,” she said. WELSI President, Ms. Pamela Naesol, is extremely proud and committed to supporting professional women in the executive leadership space and provide them with the right tools and support networks to progress their careers through that pathway and give them a road-map to guide them. She said that with this program they hope to provide participants with relevant knowledge and skills in key areas that are important as a starting basis to support them in building their overall leadership skills. “We are looking at effective ways in which we can start developing women and empowering them with the necessary knowledge and leadership competencies so that they can be effective in the areas in which they serve, and one of the first steps is to have a structured training on fundamental areas considered critical for effective leadership in this space,” the WELSI President said. With this recent cohort, WELSI and the partner organizations look forward to continuing with this program and aim to build a pool of business and professional women with relevant knowledge and skills required to enable them to effectively participate in the decision-making process at higher organizational levels.

Wednesday 29 July, Honiara -The eighth delivery of the Solomon Islands Senior Executive Women in Leadership Program is currently underway with the last two days scheduled for Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th in Honiara. The program was initially devised in partnership with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA), and the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants (ISIA) with support from the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). Since 2025, the program continues to be delivered by the Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) after its registration as a professional network that supports and connects women in senior leadership and executive roles across the Solomon Islands. The objective is to advance gender development and social inclusion in terms of providing relevant professional development of women in senior executive roles, providing support and networks to advance professional women into CEO and board positions. As Lead Facilitator of the program, Ms. Lilly Lomulo is passionate about empowering women executives with knowledge, confidence and cultivating opportunity for them to be transformative leaders, be better versions of themselves and be positive changemakers as professionals. ““It has been inspiring to witness our executives recognize their potential and embrace the value they bring to their workplaces and communities,” she said. This four-day program is designed for women who are already making an impact in their organizations and communities, and who are ready to strengthen their leadership journey even further.” Eighteen (18) participants are currently attending the current delivery representing different organisations mostly from the private sector, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the public sector. Over the four-day program, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of governance, sharpen their financial and risk management skills, and strengthen their professional brand. They will hear from leaders who have walked the leadership path who will share insights that will inspire participants and guide them on their own professional and leadership journey. WELSI hopes that after the four-day training, these aspiring women leaders will not only leave with new knowledge, but also with stronger networks, greater confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. “WELSI’s aim is for every participant to leave this program with practical tools they can apply immediately in their professional and personal leadership journeys, as well as greater confidence in their ability to lead and influence,” WELSI Vice President, Mrs. Dinna Irofufuli, said. “Leadership is not about waiting until you feel completely ready, because the truth is, many of us never do. It is about continuously building the knowledge, skills, and confidence to step forward when opportunities arise,” she added. Mrs. Irofufuli stressed that through this program, WELSI is investing in the capacity of women leaders and helping to create a stronger, more inclusive leadership landscape for the Solomon Islands. With this recent cohort of the program, WELSI and the partner organisations look forward to continuing with this program and aim to build a pool of business and professional women with relevant knowledge and skills required to enable them to effectively participate in the decision-making process at higher organizational levels. The Solomon Islands Senior Executive Women in Leadership Program is a program for women in executive and senior management roles who want to deepen their knowledge of business operations, develop strong networks with their senior women, build confidence in areas including governance, and refresh their professional brand. -WELSI Media Release