Please join us for a virtual livestreaming event to learn about the current work of the Center and recent alumni! The EWCA’s Women Leadership and Sustainability Affinity Group will be hosting a virtual event Sustainable Futures: East-West Center Women Leading the Way, on Thursday, October 12^th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm Hawaiian Standard Time. The panel will be discussing the topic of sustainable entrepreneurship pioneered by our very own East-West Center alumni, and how it is all connected to the Center's role for cultural and political interchange.  

This virtual event will be moderated by Senior Director of Global Partnerships and former EWCA Co-President, Amanda Ellis (Political Science '89) and recognize the work of three women from this year's recent 2023 Changing Faces Women Leadership cohort. 

Mrinali Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of EatKinda Ltd. (New Zealand)  

Isabelle Thomas, Co-Founder and Director of BhuME Women's Collective Pvt. Ltd. (India) 

Nadia Meredith Hunt, CEO of KVAConsult Ltd. (Samoa) 

The event will also feature former alumna, Strategic Lead and Co-Investigator at Pacific RISA, Zena Grecni (Research '11) who will share on behalf of Pacific RISA's approach to climate action tools.   

All alumni and friends are welcome to attend to learn more about the current work of these alums and how it connects to the Center's strategic pillars. There will also be a live Q&A session following the panel discussion. 

Panelist Bios

Amanda Ellis, moderator

Senior Director, Global Partnerships 

Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory 

Executive Director, Asia-Pacific ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation  

Former UN Ambassador and EWC Distinguished Alum awardee Amanda Ellis is immediate past President of the EWCA and a passionate proponent of women’s empowerment to drive positive change for the planet. Previous roles include Deputy Secretary International Development, NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and first women to lead the NZ International Development Agency, Lead Specialist Poverty Reduction and Economic Management and Convenor of the President’s Global Private Sector CEO Forum to promote women’s economic empowerment at the World Bank, founder of the global gender program at the International Finance Corporation and co-founder of the Global Financial Alliance for Women. She is currently the Executive Dircector of the Asia Pacific for the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, ASU Wrigley Global Futures Lab, and Co-chair of the WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Empower UN SDG Challenge launched by the Secretary General at UNGA in 2018 and of the New Carbon Economy Consortium. 

Isabelle Thomas 

Co-Founder & Director, BhuME Women’s Collective 

Changing Faces Women’s Leadership Seminar, 2023 

Isabelle Thomas, Co-Founder of BhuME Women's Collective, is a dedicated advocate for intersectional environmentalism and coastal community well-being. Her role as a social entrepreneur, focusing on textile waste management and her efforts in local community development showcase her commitment to fighting climate change locally. With hands-on experience working with fishing communities, Isabelle continues empowering youth to spread awareness, take action and address pressing social and environmental challenges. 

Zena Grecni 

Sustained Climate Assisment Strategic Lead & Co-Investigator, Pacific RISA 

Senior Global Futures Scientist  

Global Institute of Sustainability & Innovation, Arizona State University 

Zena Grecni is a co-investigator and the Sustained Climate Assessment Strategic Lead for the Pacific RISA, a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP). Based at the East-West Center in Honolulu, she works with a network of federal, state, and local partners to coordinate climate assessments for the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands region, serving as Lead Author for the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA) and Chapter Author for the US Fourth and Fifth National Climate Assessments. Zena is a researcher for ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation and holds a master’s degree from Yale School of the Environment. 

Zena will speak about Pacific RISA’s actionable science and assessments as vehicles to mobilize and amplify climate research to support Pacific Island governments and communities in adapting to climate change. 

Mrinali Kumar 

Co-Founder, EatKinda Ltd. 

Mrinali (Millie) is the Co-Founder of EatKinda, a fully plant-based cauliflower ice cream bringing attention to the global dairy consumption and issues of food waste. The company promotes innovative food technology, sustainable packaging, and eating smarter for the planet. Mrinali was also awarded Momentum Student Entreprenuer of the Year in 2022 and was a KiwiNet Emerging Innovator in 2021. As a food technology masters student, her mission is to drive sustainable innovation for New Zealands’s food sector with health and well-being as a core focus.  

Nadia Meridith-Hunt 

Chief Executive Officer, KVAConsult Ltd.  

Nadia Meredith-Hunt is the CEO and one of the principal consultants for KVAConsult. She joined KVAConsult in 2009 after her successful tenure within key Government agencies including Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. During her time in Government, she took on the crucial role of Samoa Water Sector Support Project Manager for the EU funded program, where she oversaw the implementation and management of the multi-million dollar program as well as aid coordination initiatives. Nadia’s expertise lies in high-level economic advise, public finance management, public policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation and climate finance. She holds a Master’s degree in International Business from Deakin University, which has fortified her understanding of the global business landscape and its intricate dynamics. Additionally, she earned her Bachelor of Commerce and Management degree from Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Please join us for a virtual livestreaming event to learn about the current work of the Center and recent alumni! The EWCA’s Women Leadership and Sustainability Affinity Group will be hosting a virtual event Sustainable Futures: East-West Center Women Leading the Way, on Thursday, October 12^th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm Hawaiian Standard Time. The panel will be discussing the topic of sustainable entrepreneurship pioneered by our very own East-West Center alumni, and how it is all connected to the Center's role for cultural and political interchange.  

This virtual event will be moderated by Senior Director of Global Partnerships and former EWCA Co-President, Amanda Ellis (Political Science '89) and recognize the work of three women from this year's recent 2023 Changing Faces Women Leadership cohort. 

Mrinali Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of EatKinda Ltd. (New Zealand)  

Isabelle Thomas, Co-Founder and Director of BhuME Women's Collective Pvt. Ltd. (India) 

Nadia Meredith Hunt, CEO of KVAConsult Ltd. (Samoa) 

The event will also feature former alumna, Strategic Lead and Co-Investigator at Pacific RISA, Zena Grecni (Research '11) who will share on behalf of Pacific RISA's approach to climate action tools.   

All alumni and friends are welcome to attend to learn more about the current work of these alums and how it connects to the Center's strategic pillars. There will also be a live Q&A session following the panel discussion. 

Panelist Bios

Amanda Ellis, moderator

Senior Director, Global Partnerships 

Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory 

Executive Director, Asia-Pacific ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation  

Former UN Ambassador and EWC Distinguished Alum awardee Amanda Ellis is immediate past President of the EWCA and a passionate proponent of women’s empowerment to drive positive change for the planet. Previous roles include Deputy Secretary International Development, NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and first women to lead the NZ International Development Agency, Lead Specialist Poverty Reduction and Economic Management and Convenor of the President’s Global Private Sector CEO Forum to promote women’s economic empowerment at the World Bank, founder of the global gender program at the International Finance Corporation and co-founder of the Global Financial Alliance for Women. She is currently the Executive Dircector of the Asia Pacific for the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, ASU Wrigley Global Futures Lab, and Co-chair of the WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Empower UN SDG Challenge launched by the Secretary General at UNGA in 2018 and of the New Carbon Economy Consortium. 

Isabelle Thomas 

Co-Founder & Director, BhuME Women’s Collective 

Changing Faces Women’s Leadership Seminar, 2023 

Isabelle Thomas, Co-Founder of BhuME Women's Collective, is a dedicated advocate for intersectional environmentalism and coastal community well-being. Her role as a social entrepreneur, focusing on textile waste management and her efforts in local community development showcase her commitment to fighting climate change locally. With hands-on experience working with fishing communities, Isabelle continues empowering youth to spread awareness, take action and address pressing social and environmental challenges. 

Zena Grecni 

Sustained Climate Assisment Strategic Lead & Co-Investigator, Pacific RISA 

Senior Global Futures Scientist  

Global Institute of Sustainability & Innovation, Arizona State University 

Zena Grecni is a co-investigator and the Sustained Climate Assessment Strategic Lead for the Pacific RISA, a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP). Based at the East-West Center in Honolulu, she works with a network of federal, state, and local partners to coordinate climate assessments for the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands region, serving as Lead Author for the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA) and Chapter Author for the US Fourth and Fifth National Climate Assessments. Zena is a researcher for ASU Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation and holds a master’s degree from Yale School of the Environment. 

Zena will speak about Pacific RISA’s actionable science and assessments as vehicles to mobilize and amplify climate research to support Pacific Island governments and communities in adapting to climate change. 

Mrinali Kumar 

Co-Founder, EatKinda Ltd. 

Mrinali (Millie) is the Co-Founder of EatKinda, a fully plant-based cauliflower ice cream bringing attention to the global dairy consumption and issues of food waste. The company promotes innovative food technology, sustainable packaging, and eating smarter for the planet. Mrinali was also awarded Momentum Student Entreprenuer of the Year in 2022 and was a KiwiNet Emerging Innovator in 2021. As a food technology masters student, her mission is to drive sustainable innovation for New Zealands’s food sector with health and well-being as a core focus.  

Nadia Meridith-Hunt 

Chief Executive Officer, KVAConsult Ltd.  

Nadia Meredith-Hunt is the CEO and one of the principal consultants for KVAConsult. She joined KVAConsult in 2009 after her successful tenure within key Government agencies including Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. During her time in Government, she took on the crucial role of Samoa Water Sector Support Project Manager for the EU funded program, where she oversaw the implementation and management of the multi-million dollar program as well as aid coordination initiatives. Nadia’s expertise lies in high-level economic advise, public finance management, public policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation and climate finance. She holds a Master’s degree in International Business from Deakin University, which has fortified her understanding of the global business landscape and its intricate dynamics. Additionally, she earned her Bachelor of Commerce and Management degree from Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.