And 8 Questions with Roshika Gaunder MBA

1. Tell us a bit about your professional background?

My vision is to make a difference by improving the lives of others.

I feel that I will be able to create a bigger impact through my current role as the Associate – Administration, Finance and Communications for the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network programme at Global Green Growth Institute.

Having worked for 16 years in the private and public sector in organisations such as Tappoos Ltd, Rentokil Initial, Financial Management Counselors Association of Fiji, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Housing and other companies has enabled me to gain extensive experience in areas such as finance, administration, operations, human resources, training and development monitoring and evaluation and policy development. Due to financial difficulties, I had to defer my goal of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree after I completed Form 7 in 2003 and instead got a job to support my family.

I was still eager to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and after lots of hard work, 10 years later in 2013 I finally began the journey to achieve a formal qualification beginning with an Advance Diploma in Management and Diploma in Marketing from TAFE followed by Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from APTC.

In 2014, I enrolled in the MBA programme at the University of the South Pacific while working at Rentokil Initial as the Admin/Customer Service Co-ordinator – West. After seven years of marriage, I conceived a child in October 2014. It was a complicated pregnancy and eventually I prioritised my studies and education.

July 19 , 2015 was the best day of my life when I gave birth to Mayanshi through emergency c-section. I still had to complete my Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of the South Pacific (USP). The challenges continued such as having to do a three-hour examination five days after delivery, going to classes with my child as she was being breastfed, staying up all night to complete my assignments and having financial difficulties. The determination and great support and encouragement from my husband, mum and sister made me determined to succeed.

My child was also my pillar of strength, I did not want her to be the reason that I gave up my studies but rather be the one who kept me going.

Motherhood should not be the reason for women to give up their goals. In 2016 I graduated with my MBA degree. That achievement did not stop me from pursing my studies further.

Today, I am proud to share that few weeks ago, I graduated yet again with another qualification - Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy from University of Fiji. Having gone through a lot of challenges in life, I have always wanted to assist women and children which I continue to do so through my affiliations with Graduate Women of Fiji and Soroptimist International.

2. Did your family background or where you grew up, hAvE Any influEnCE on your CArEEr ChoiCEs?

My family background and values definitely influenced my career choices.

My parents always worked hard and I have always echoed their positive actions particularly towards improving the lives of others.

From a tender age, my late father taught my two siblings and I to always do our best to be successful yet also be kind, compassionate and grateful.

He had a dream to see all his children independent and successful. I am realising his dream and will continue to work hard and smarter to achieve more for myself and my family.

3.

What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?

Some of the major highlights has been the opportunities I was accorded while at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whereby I participated in many high-level visits and events one of it was as Liaison Officer for the Brunei delegation at the Asian Development Bank Governors annual meeting held in 2019 and attending a Knowledge of Diplomacy training in Thailand in February 2019.

In October 2020, I joined Global Green Growth Institute as an intern which I consider the turning point in my career - I now work at an international organisation.

4.

How do you manage the demands of professional and personal commitments?

I prioritise and manage my time wisely.

Being a working mum, wife, member of Graduate Women of Fiji, Soroptimist International and also managing a viber group “Empowering Women” makes life so full of activities.

There never seems to be a dull moment and I am always on the move.

Having a very supportive husband by my side who recognised and encouraged my dream is a