Anne Pakoa is the founder and CEO of the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition, training human rights defenders to advocate for the rights of indigenous Ni – Vanuatu to ensure equitable access to social and economic goods for all. Anne is a registered nurse and nurse educator by profession, and she has worked in the NGO sector for 22 years, setting up a few NGOs such as Anne’s Christian Community Health School and Nursing Services, and the Vanuatu Young Women for Change. She is also chair and vice-chair on a number of other boards. Anne has been recognised by the US Secretary of State and the Commonwealth Fellow for her extraordinary commitment to fighting for social justice and was awarded the 2015 US Ambassador Women of Courage Award.