Pacific Personalities Interview - Wilmaraia Sinumila

Wilmaraia Ruth Sinumila

Management Executive & Owner

Operational Excellence Consultancy 

oeconsultancy@yahoo.com

LinkedIn

Vanuatu

What is your typical work week like?

As a consultant and mother of three boys, every day is a working day – hence a working week! I set my alarm for 5am daily, spend some time in prayer (my quiet time), then I go for thirty minutes exercise (if I feel like it). My week is usually planned in advance, especially meeting with key stakeholders if I’m working on a project. At least once a week, I find some time to mentor, coach or encourage entrepreneurs, I make time for lunch with a friend or sister at least once a week and go to the gym and/or do some running at least four times in a week.

What do you find is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

As a consultant, cash flow can be challenging as it is not a regularly paid job; but the most rewarding part is identifying opportunities and building new connections and relationships. These networks are established and last for a lifetime if you continue to invest your time in them.

I enjoy the level of flexibility in terms of time and the diverse work opportunities. I often do a lot of work outside of the usual 8am to 5pm working hours if I need to; so my day hours I use for meetings, building connections, networks, identifying new opportunities and in the evening I spend a significant amount of time churning out deliverables.

Are you working on anything interesting now which you can tell us about?

Yes! I just finished participating in Vanuatu’s first ever reality TV show called “The Canoe Race”, in search for Vanuatu’s ultimate entrepreneur. It is similar to the Shark Tank (U.S). My role was to be a member of the juror over the entrepreneur’s challenges. The production consisted of six episodes over three months: nine entrepreneurs, two coaches and three judges. The most interesting part of being part of the show is the business ideas presented during the pitch, the different challenges that the contestants took on to gain mileage on the race that got them to develop specific skills (both hard and soft skills). It was fulfilling to witness the significant growth demonstrated by the contestants over the weeks of production right up to the finale. It was an absolute privilege to impart knowledge and business golden nuggets to the contestants – and have some real ‘debates’ with the other judges. I thought back to 2015 when I started my consultancy and how valuable this opportunity would have been to getting started. We are now searching for sponsors towards Season 2 – so let me know if there are any opportunities! What better way to rebuild our economy – new business ideas.

What is your favourite spot in Vanuatu that you would recommend to visitors?

My favourite spot is really dependent on how I feel on the day or the hour. Vanuatu has everything to suit your personal mood!

If you’re travelling as a work visitor, there are some great ‘mobile working office spots’ such as Iririki Island overlooking the harbour to Port Vila, or at Jill’s café, looking from Port Vila to the harbour. You might just prefer a corner table at Mangoes Restaurant where you can have a cuppa coffee and warmed up banana bread and butter; or for the more hyped up ‘be with everyone’ office space Yumi Work, which is a shared space.

If you’re visiting for a ‘sanity break’ and need some quiet time to yourself, there’s Tamanu Beach Resort; with beautiful bungalows, and a great spot to watch the sunset and enjoy the serenity, If you’re looking for a getaway-for-the-day, spot that is close to town, yet you feel like you’re getting off the ‘main’ island, maybe Erakor Island Resort. I would also recommend spots in Santo if you’re a sea lover! There are pristine beaches at East Santo – Chez Louis, Lonnoc Beach and the most beautiful beach in the world – Champagne beach!

If you’re looking for an adventure and something a little upbeat in Port Vila – check out the fire dancers on Friday night at the Beach Bar, or the zip-line or bungy jumping experience. Go for the adrenalin rush and chill out at the Fatumaru Bay for some relaxing music before dinner.

One of my favourite dining experiences if you’re looking for a hearty meal/dinner is The Stonegrill (using hot stones to cook your healthy organic steak) or The Exotic Thai for some tasty spicy food or the Ramada for tasty BBQ’s skewers.

It’s hard to pick a favourite, when our mood changes – but also with so many options to choose from!

What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of being a woman in leadership?

The challenges of being a woman in Vanuatu are rewarding!

It may sound ironic, but personally it is the challenges that I have experienced in all facets of my life (personally and professionally) that have given me the zeal, stamina and determination to keep striving and giving my best in all that I do. The challenges have come in the form of cultural norms, religious connotation, family connections and simple office, community and country politics!

I became an executive at the age of twenty five, and as I reflect on my professional journey; I have had to fight hard and work harder than my male counterparts to prove my capability (not my worth, because I know my worth and value). I have had to ignore snarky and demeaning remarks from (a few) male counterparts to achieve my career goals; I have also been falsely accused and felt that I have had a target on my back. I actually still don’t get why women in leadership seemed to be questioned and second guessed in their leadership decisions. On the flip side, sadly and unfortunately, some of the most discouraging remarks have come from other women in influential positions. However, I have found divine strength to ignore the naysayers and negative remarks – that is a reflection of them, not me.

I believe that knowing who I am in my faith, remembering how I was raised, as a daughter and sister, added with the experience of motherhood and, believing that I am more than enough as a professional, is so vital to being in my element as a woman. As the saying goes, if you don’t believe in something, you will fall for anything. It will also be so easy to get side tracked because someone said something that wasn’t aligned to your thoughts, your values, your ways. I have concluded that to really be influential and authentic as a woman (leader) in Vanuatu (with a population of just over 300,000 people, and a speed of the coconut wireless) you need to recognize and accept that everyone has an opinion; that they are entitled to, so that should not affect who you are.

As a woman, we wear a number of hats and giving 110% in those different roles may be insufficient for the onlookers or the assessors, or whatever you would refer to them – BUT give it your 110% anyway, because you know who you are, even if you are misunderstood. I have seen my parents work so hard to give me a fulfilling, happy and peaceful home; it’s too much sacrifice to make nothing out of it. If there’s one golden nugget that my parents have taught me it’s hold onto your faith. That secret is truly where I have found strength in being a woman in leadership capacities.