By Lina Orozco.
At Professional Migrant Women (PMW), community has always been at the heart of what we do. And while our work spans programs, events, and platforms, it’s our Ambassadors who bring that community to life on the ground.
Our PMW Ambassadors are based across five cities in Australia, where they host our Connecting Circles Meetups, spaces designed for migrant women to come together, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. These gatherings are more than just meetups. They are spaces where women can feel understood, supported, and reminded that they are not navigating their journeys alone.
We know that building a sense of belonging in a new country can take time, and often, it starts with finding your people. Our Ambassadors play a key role in making that possible. Creating welcoming, local spaces where connections can grow naturally.
In this blog, we’re spotlighting the women behind these spaces. Through their own words, you’ll get a glimpse into what led them to PMW, and what being an Ambassador means to them.
Meet our Ambassadors
Meet Ana Villa, our Adelaide Ambassador:
What made you get involved in PMW?
I got involved in PMW because I truly understand how challenging it can be for women to rebuild confidence when starting over in a new country, especially with a new language and culture. I’ve seen how hard it is to break into the professional world again, and I’ve always felt a strong drive to support others through that journey.
I really believe that when you understand the situation, you’re in a better position to help. Volunteering has always been important to me — I feel like when you can give, you should. And time is the most precious thing we have, so I’m happy to give mine to help other women see that they can do it. That they belong, they are capable, and they can become the best version of themselves here in Australia, even if it’s different from what they knew before.
What’s your favourite part of being an ambassador for PMW?
For me, the best part is listening to the stories of other women. You learn something from everyone, and being part of their journey is such a privilege.
I love building community and feeling part of something meaningful. PMW is a space where I can truly be myself, and at the same time, I get to learn so much from different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. That’s something really special.
Meet Caroline Mercer, our Adelaide Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
I got involved with PMW because I’ve lived internationally throughout my life, but working in Brazil gave me a real understanding of the challenges that come with it. Navigating a language barrier and a very different culture shaped my perspective, and even moving to Australia from the UK came with its own ‘Australia-isms’. The support I had made a huge difference, and I want to help create that for others.
What’s your favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
My favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador is creating space for multicultural women to connect, share their stories, and support each other. Knowing no one is walking this path alone, and seeing the smiles at the end, is incredibly rewarding.
Meet Solange Lipton, our Brisbane Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
Over the past five years of working closely with the Latin American community here in Queensland, I have been deeply inspired by learning from the journeys of other professional migrant women, as well as sharing my own knowledge and experiences. While that work has been incredibly rewarding, this year I felt a strong pull to step beyond my immediate community. I wanted to intentionally expand my network and support women from all diverse cultural backgrounds as they navigate the nuances of the Australian workplace. PMW is the perfect platform to bridge those cultures, share our collective wisdom, and help each other overcome the unique barriers we face as migrants in the corporate world.
What’s your favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
I fundamentally believe that we are stronger together. My absolute favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador here in Brisbane is having the privilege to encourage other women to step out of their comfort zones, get involved, and claim their space in the community. Creating a safe, welcoming environment where we can have meaningful, conversations is deeply fulfilling. Plus, the ultimate bonus is that I get to meet, connect with, and be continuously inspired by some truly amazing women along the way!
Meet Louise Chiu, our Sydney Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
I’ve never forgotten what it felt like to start over in a new country (mind you this was 20 years ago)! Armed with my Australian CA qualifications and international experience under my belt, there was a lot of figuring out how things work here, who to trust, how to show up.
When I discovered Professional Migrant Women, I saw something I wish had existed when I arrived. A community built by professional migrant women, for professional migrant women. Real support, real learning, and the kind of community where you grow from each other’s experiences. Being an ambassador gives me the opportunity to share my experiences with intent, and to uplift someone. And every conversation teaches me something too.
What’s your favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
My favourite part? Sitting across from women who are qualified, capable, and experienced and watching them realise that the only thing standing between them and their next chapter is the right support and the right room to be in.
Proud to be part of this community. 🙌
Meet Ella Chang, our Sydney Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
As a migrant woman myself, I’ve seen how much strength, courage, adaptability, and resilience migrant professionals carry. Many have rebuilt careers, identities, and confidence while navigating entirely new systems and cultures. PMW resonated with me because of the shared experiences, the peer learning, and the strength I often see in the women I’ve met through the community. It’s a space where people understand the journey, learn from one another, and rise together.
What’s your favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
Meeting women who embody those qualities and values every day — resilience, humility, determination, generosity, and courage. There is something deeply inspiring about being around people who have overcome challenges, kept growing, and still show up with ambition and heart. That energy is powerful to be part of.
Meet Andrea Gualteros, our Perth Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
Being an immigrant woman, being part of this organisation means a lot to me. I deeply understand the importance of having a supportive community when you are far from your home country. It’s also very meaningful for me to be able to support others who are going through similar experiences as immigrants in Australia, helping them feel seen, supported, and connected.
What’s your favorite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
I deeply enjoy connecting with other women, especially immigrants. Listening to their journeys and learning about their cultures and traditions is something I truly value and appreciate.
Meet Gaby Marino, our Hobart Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
After moving to Hobart for work, I was looking to find my community here, and PMW felt like a natural place to start having seen the community it fostered back in Sydney, where I moved from. There’s something really unique about navigating life as both a migrant and a professional, and I’ve always found comfort in being around people with similar experiences. I loved PMW’s online events and found them really helpful and inclusive. As a young migrant, I also felt lucky to have Australian credentials and understood what an advantage that was, and I wanted to give back in whatever way I could to those who were starting fresh in a new place and didn’t enjoy the same privileges.
What’s your favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
Being able to help grow a community in Hobart for people who might be facing similar obstacles and experiences has been really special — having a space to share and learn from one another makes such a difference. I’ve also been fortunate to have picked up some things along the way about navigating career progression and Australian workplace systems, and I hope being able to share that is useful to someone. And having seen what PMW was already doing in Sydney and Melbourne, I just really wanted that for Hobart too — if the Tasmanian chapter didn’t exist yet, it felt worth trying to build it.
Meet Marcela Vanegas, our Hobart Ambassador:
What made you get involved with PMW?
I joined PMW because I believe in the power of community and the importance of women supporting women. As a migrant woman, I wanted to be part of a network that inspires growth, creates opportunities, and helps women feel seen, valued and connected.
What is your favourite part of being a PMW Ambassador?
My favourite part is building genuine connections and contributing to a community that empowers women. I love creating spaces where women can learn, share, grow and support each other, that sense of connection is something I’m truly passionate about 😊💛