Vanisa Dhiru MNZM JP

Vanisa Dhiru is an equality champion with a strong sense of social responsibility who has worked in a variety of advocacy roles throughout her career. She has assembled an astonishing collection of skills across leadership, management, marketing, communication and strategy.

Born and raised in Manawatū, she is based in Wellington, she has served the community through a variety of both paid and volunteer commitments including previously holding the roles of National President of National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ), CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, Executive Director of 20/20 Trust and General Manager with InternetNZ.

Today, Vanisa is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Global BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network. She volunteers with the Wellington Interfaith Council and is a Justice of the Peace. Vanisa currently holds commissioner roles with the NZ National Commission of UNESCO and the Library & Information Advisory Commission, as well as trustee roles with the Spark Foundation, Multicultural Aotearoa New Zealand Trust, and He Whenua Taurikura, the National Research Centre for Countering Violent Extremism.