Break the bias: International Women's Day

Cheryl de la Rey

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Cheryl has responsibility for the overall leadership of the University of Canterbury and leads the senior management team.

Cheryl is also the Chair of the ACU Council - our governing body which is responsible for overseeing the organisation’s activities and determining its future strategic direction. 

Barbara Kasumu

Director of Membership, Programmes and Business Development at the ACU

Barbara oversees the ACU's membership strategy by working with teams to create a dynamic, responsive, and relevant offer that meets the needs of our diverse member base. She also oversees the development of Programmes and Business Development Strategies, supporting the design and funding of best-in-sector programmes that will have a meaningful impact on ACU Members across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Before joining the ACU, Barbara worked at the National Union of Students where she was Director of Membership, Talent and Inclusion. Barbara brings with her over 15 years of senior leadership and board experience working across a range of sectors and organisations. 

Professor Chinyere Okunna

Former Mass Communications Professor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Paul University Awka, Nigeria

Professor Okunna is the first female Professor of Mass Communications in Nigeria. Chinyere was awarded an ACU Gender Grant to organise workshops to encourage women’s participation in leadership and governance and motivate more Nigerian women to participate in politics. The training aimed to also encourage men to support women to help increase the number of women in leadership, governance and politics.