Doreen Kuper (Ysabel)

Born and raised in Solomon Islands, Doreen was appointed as the Solomon Islands Honorary Consul to New Zealand in 1992. Now retired and residing in her home country, she is currently working with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) as a local consultant on Cultural Industries in Solomon Islands.

Doreen is an entrepreneur and a community volunteer with a strong passion for promoting cross-cultural dialogue and rich artistic identities of the Pacific, as well as women in leadership and enpowerment. As states:

" I believe Pacific empowerment and visionary leadership can be fostered when Pacific peoples and communities are empowered to lead, shape and take ownership of their creations and partneship through cultural and artistic exchange and expressions".

Doreen marked a personal milestone in her life by completing her leadership term at the helm of the host organising committee for the Pacific region's premiere and prestigeous Festival of Pacific Arts of which Solomon Islands hosted the 11th version in 2012. That same year she was also instrumental in the success of Solomon Islands bid for the hosting of the regional Miss South Pacific Pageant the following year (2013) in Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands.

Doreen has worn many hats and served with many roles in a range of development events and in community support groups both locally and regionally. Her strenghts include the ability to network through creating links in the community, negotiations, consultations and  at the project management level.

Doreen is a national and public figure in Solomon Islands who is well respected at all levels. She remains an advocator for culture, arts and women's rights in Solomon Islands today.