Our Speakers
Diversifying Our Fijian Farms | Livai Tora | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
Farmpreneur, Livai Tora talks about diversifying land use to other alternates from the traditional sugarcane farming in Fiji. At Genda Connections Nadi / Genda Business, Livai shares his journey of converting his inherited sugarcane fields to a thriving agro-tourism business today.
Owner of Aviva Farms in the Sabeto Valley in Nadi, Livai talks about the struggles, trial & errors and capitalising on opportunities to make his dream come true and establish a successful business using his inherited land. He encourages itaukei landowners to connect back to their lands and to value their inheritance.
Let's Talk About Women's Bodies | Lenora Qereqeretabua | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/2016
Taking Ownership of Our Own History | Opeta Alefaio | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/16
How I Stay Creative by Keeping My Inner Child Happy | Meli Tuqota | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/16
Sophie Foster | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18
Identity: Taking Ownership of Self | Monica Waqanisau | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
Watch this brave young woman tell her story at Genda Connections Suva. Human Rights Advocate and Researcher, Monica Waqanisau talks about Identity. Monica shares her story of being diagnosed with a skin condition called Vitiligo and her journey dealing with the symptoms and physical changes from the rare condition. She talks about the emotional struggles, the questions, acceptance and finally owning the condition as part of her self and finding her happiness in who she is as a person.
Styling Our Fijian Lifestyle | Akanisi & Junior Sankracharya | GendaDISRUPT Tourism 18/03/17
Community-Based Sustainable Tourism in Fiji | Marita Manley | GendaDISRUPT Tourism 18/03/17
Approaching Family Medicine: Service or Business? | Dr. Zen Low | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
General Practitioner Dr. Zen Low, Founder of Zens Medical Centre in Fiji talks about the 'family' approach to practicing Family Medicine at his clinics. He shares his early life stories and the influences that have shaped his approach to medicine and what defines his happiness today.
In an honest and open talk at #GendaConnectionsNadi / #GendaBusiness, Dr. Low discusses the realities of medical practice and care in Fiji, and the personal and business choices he has made in his profession to serve his patients.
Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow | James Bhagwan | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/2016
Watch Reverend James Bhagwan talk about our approaches and attitudes towards work in Fiji. What motivates him and something that he sees motivating fewer people every generation: work as a vocation — something that uses our talents and brings us great satisfaction, a calling. At Genda Connections Suva he talks about his own journey to finding his true self.
Trust Your Gut & Keep Sailing On | Tony Philp | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
Marketing Entrepreneur & Innovator, Tony Philp talks about the skill of adapting to ever-changing circumstances in life to achieve success. Presented with the Order of Fiji (MF); the highest honour of the Fijian honours system for his remarkable contribution to sports, Tony shares stories of his early sporting career in the 90's which won him 13 individual Windsurfer World titles.
At #GendaConnectionsNadi / #GendaBusiness, Tony also talks beyond sports about his innovative startups including a unique tourism venture; a floating water bar called Cloud 9. Tony parts that above everything else to always trust your own instinct and to keeping moving forward.
How My First 13 Years Prepared Me for Life | Adish Naidu | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
Watch Architect Adish Naidu share his story at Genda Connections Suva on how the first 13 years of his life shaped him to be who he is today.
Let Your Heart Dance to the Rhythm of Life | Vera Chute | Genda Connections Lautoka 18/11/17
Software Engineer By Day; Fashion Photographer By Night | Asvin Singh | Genda Connections 20/10/16
Returning to My Roots and Giving Back | Abhishek Sapra | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/2016
Watch Farmer Abhishek Sapra talk about how he gave up a lucrative Media Communications career in New York, USA to return back to his island home of Taveuni to start a farming venture. At Genda Connections Suva he talks about his struggles of a startup, dealing with people's perception of farming as a backward career path and ultimately following his own happiness and investing in a life in Fiji.
Where's Our Fijian Talent Pipeline At? | Ravinder Dhesi | GendaDISRUPT Tourism 18/03/17
Finding Diamonds Where Others See Only Dust | Maria Rova | Genda Connections Lautoka 18/11/17
Arts Education to The Rescue | Sachiko Soro | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
Watch Director of Vou Dance School, Sachiko Soro talk about the importance of art education in early childhood learning in Fiji at Genda Connections Suva. Sachiko is a human who loves dance and consequently has spent most of her life on this planet doing just that.
Taking Charge of a Family Legacy | Div Damodar | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
Watch CEO Div Damodar talk at Genda Connections Suva about taking charge of a business his family spent the past 50 years building up in Fiji. Div shares his story about learning the ropes, dealing with generational gaps in businesses and expanding into new territories while never loosing sight of his core family values.
Taking Notice and Understanding The Way Things Are | Monifa Fiu | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
Watch Conservation Practitioner and Researcher, Monifa Fiu share her story of growing up on her island home of Rotuma. Monifa talks about taking notice of the environment, being connected to the land and sea and understanding the way things are. Part of the LäjeRotuma initiative, she talks about a group of Rotuman women who are committed towards mobilising their island community to manage well their very limited natural resources and fragile island ecosystem. In a time when life is moving at a rapid pace and we're all playing catchup, this daughter of Rotuma talks about dealing with change and firmly standing true to who you are.
Defining Happiness in Fiji | Sharon Narayan | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
Curator for Genda Connections Nadi / Genda Business, Sharon Narayan talks about the ever-challenging issue of brain drain in Fiji. She questions if money really is a factor that contributes to qualified Fijians migrating overseas. Sharon introduces the 8 speakers at the Genda Connections event in Nadi as individuals who have chosen to stay back in Fiji to challenge the possibilities and make their dreams come true.
As Founder of The Genda Project initiative, Sharon shares their objectives of empowering Fijians define happiness. She talks about the cultural and traditional mindsets on the concept of happiness in Fiji and how more people define themselves with their financial successes in life then with the things that should really matter.
What Poverty Does To You | Reaaz Ali | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
Entrepreneur Reaaz Ali talks about the two things that shape who you become in life - what your upbringing was like and who you marry!
At #GendaConnectionsNadi / #GendaBusiness, Reaaz shares his remarkable life journey fuelled by a hunger to rise above poverty and his humble beginnings. He talks about the many trials & errors, several startups & failures and why to never give in to your fears. Today Reaaz and his wife are co-owners of a popular boutique business in Fiji called Best Buys.
Maintaining "Family Gravity" in Businesses | Viraaj Lad | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
A fourth generation confectionery maker - The CEO of Bhikabhai Group of Companies, Viraaj Lad talks about taking charge of a family business.
Harvard Business Review in their April '15 issue published that "only 30% of [these] organizations last into a second generation, 12% remain viable into a third, and 3% operate into the fourth generation or beyond." According to the paper, successful organisations that survive past the 3rd generation "...are careful not to lose what makes them special—a quality the authors call “family gravity.”
At Genda Connections Nadi / Genda Business, Viraaj shares his stories of growing up in the family business as a child. He talks about his journey from resisting to join the business to carve his own identity to ultimately finding his happiness in continuing the legacy and maintaining the "family gravity" that makes the Bhikabhai sweets so special in Fiji even after 70 odd years and now an internationally available brand to Fijians living abroad.
Finding You | Sharon Narayan | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
The Genda Project Founder, Sharon Narayan poses the question - How Would You Define Yourself Without Your Job Title? Talking about happiness, making stories count and why she started the initiative in Fiji. As Event Curator for Genda Connections, she introduces the 8 amazing speakers for the event held in Suva on 12/03/16.
Ethical Business; The Difficulty of Being Good | Damend Gounder | Genda Connections 11/06/16
At our lowest point in life, we are open to the greatest change. Managing Director of Tour Managers Fiji, Damend Gounder shares his moving story of how he built up a brand new company which today has spread into thriving businesses contributing to Fiji's tourism market having offices based in China and India, without compromising his ethics.
At #GendaConnectionsNadi / #GendaBusiness, Damend talks about the growing number of people in Fiji who make unethical choices in life choosing an easy 'cut'. Damend shares his stand on doing the right thing, no matter how difficult. Drawing strength from his religious faith, he talks about how making decisions based on moral principles & ethics has kept him steadfast against the unpredictable trials of life.
Embracing Your Uniqueness and Living Your Truth | Shivana Singh | Genda Connections Suva 12/03/16
Watch School Teacher Shivana Singh at Genda Connections Suva share her story of discovering her two-spirited soul and her decision to empower herself by getting an education. As a transgender woman, Shivana talks about celebrating one's own life by embracing what makes you different and simply living it as your truth.
Creativity has No Age Limit | Mala Chawda | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
Childrenswear Designer and Doll-Maker, Mala Chawda talks about her flourishing 'cottage industry' setup. Owner of Coconut Kids Fiji, she shares her journey as a designer craftswoman and how using her skills and experiences, she started a unique product line in Fiji.
At #GendaConnectionsNadi / #GendaBusiness, Mala shares her ideas & steps on how to start a creative business from home especially for women. Having started the business in her late 50's, Mala gracefully exemplifies that dreams, creativity and happiness don't have an age limit.
For A Woman, Financial Independence Means Freedom | Debra Sadranu | Genda Connections Nadi 11/06/16
Visionary and trailblazer of the Spa & Beauty industry in Fiji, Debra Sadranu talks about what financial independence means for women. Principal of the Spa Academy Fiji & Director of the Essence of Fiji brand, she shares her story of establishing and building a business empire as a 'kaivalagi' woman in Fiji.
Smashing perceptions at Genda Connections Nadi / Genda Business, Debra talks about her childhood and beginnings and how her early years have largely influenced the work she does today i.e. training and empowering women to find financial stability. She talks about passion, hard work and the things that business schools don't teach about which goes into achieving great success and happiness.
How I Stay Creative by Keeping My Inner Child Happy | Meli Tuqota | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/16
Communicating Self Identity Through Creativity | Robert Kennedy | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/16
From The Kitchen Sink To The Broadcasting Studio | Noor Jahan | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/16
Let's Talk About Women's Bodies | Lenora Qereqeretabua | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/2016
Branding a "Not Permitted To Speak" Country | Sharon Narayan | Genda Connections Suva 20/10/16
Sandhya Dusk Devi Nand | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18
Faaris Ali | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18
Tia Roko | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18
Bayvick Lawrance | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18
Pink and Proud! | Kim Beddoes | Genda Connections Lautoka 18/11/17
Torika Bolatagici | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18
Never Be Ashamed of Who You Are | Amith Kumar | Genda Connections Lautoka 18/11/17
From Caring Comes Courage | Roko Tupou Draunidalo | Genda Connections Lautoka 18/11/2017
Finding Diamonds Where Others See Only Dust | Maria Rova | Genda Connections Lautoka 18/11/17
Sophie Foster | Untold Fijian Stories | Genda Diaspora Sydney 16/06/18