Island: Futuna

Balancing high-level leadership roles in both public service and the private sector, Sereana Moira Marum stands out as a determined and principled female leader in Vanuatu.

Her career has been defined by steady progression, from early roles in finance and banking to her current positions as Operations Lead at the Vanuatu-Australia Health Partnership (VAHP) and Chairlady of the Board of Directors at the National Bank of Vanuatu (NBV).

Born and raised in Port Vila, Sereana is originally from Futuna Island in TAFEA Province. The eldest of four sisters, with adopted siblings as part of her extended family, she grew up in a household shaped by commitment and service. Her father worked as a radio technician and her mother as a secretary typist, both her early role models who demonstrated the value of reliability and hard work.

At 45-years-old, she is married to her husband who is from East New Britain, Papua New Guinea who is now a citizen of Vanuatu, and together they raised three beautiful children – a daughter and two sons.

Sereana’s educational path laid a strong foundation for the future. After attending Central Primary School and completing high school at Malapoa College, she received an Aotearoa Scholarship to study at New Zealand Bursary in 1998. There, she completed Year 13 before pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce and Management at Lincoln University. Years later, she advanced her qualifications with a Master’s in Applied Finance and Professional Accounting from the University of Queensland.

Sereana’s professional career began in 2003 as a trainee accountant at Equity Investment Group. By May 2006, she transitioned into the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, where she would spend the next 16 years building her capacity in finance and governance. Starting as a Settlement Officer, she eventually rose to become Director of Support Services, overseeing critical internal operations.

In 2022, Sereana made a bold move into the development sector, joining VAHP.   She was tasked with managing operations and finance for a donor-funded program that plays a key role in strengthening Vanuatu’s health systems.

Despite having no prior experience in managing donor programs, she quickly adapted, learned the ropes, and by early 2025, was promoted from Manager to Operations Lead. This position placed her on the VAHP’s Coordination Team, the program’s core strategic decision-making body.

At the same time, her leadership influence has extended to the financial sector. In February 2023, Sereana was appointed to the Board of Directors at the NBV as a representative of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF). By October 2024, she was appointed as the Chairlady of the NBV Board—a historic achievement as the first woman in an institution critical to the country’s financial system.

Her role at NBV, meanwhile, presents a different set of challenges. Board governance in a national bank involves high-level decision-making in a fast-evolving financial environment.  As Chairlady, she is a symbol of growing female representation in decision-making spaces.“In my leadership role on the NBV Board, it is being the change agent and ensuring the Institution’s policy and procedures reflect best practices while serving the needs of the people of Vanuatu.”

Sereana also credits the people she’s met along the way; friends, mentors, and colleagues for helping shape her journey. In Vanuatu, where relationships are often the key to getting things done, she understands the importance of networks and community.

Sereana’s commitment to service extends beyond the workplace. She is actively involved in Futuna Island community committees, helping women plan investments that can benefit their communities. She is also a member of a family church ministry, where elders mentor young leaders to plan and manage projects.

“Be your own competitor. Challenge yourself personally, spiritually, and professionally. Never see someone else’s strength as a threat, it’s a compliment to yours. Together, we can build a great team and a great nation.”

This feature story is part of a series presenting 26 Vanuatu women who serve on boards, profiled in Balance of Power’s book Nation Builders III. It is the outcome of a six-month partnership between Balance of Power and the Vanuatu Daily Post to recognise women leaders, build awareness of women’s leadership in Vanuatu, and encourage wider acknowledgement of their contributions across development and decision-making spaces.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST