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Olivia Sarah-Le Lacheur Kalpana R. Shanmugham
a division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the largest bank in Australia. In this role, she utilizes her 12 years of experience in the financial services industry to manage the relationship between CommInsure and two of its national accounts, which deliver about 45 percent of its total sales results. Olivia’s professional experience has given her a unique perspective in her work with Zonta, where she has held a variety of positions at the Club-, Areaand District-levels. Working with a diverse group of colleagues across the entire country has given me the understanding of regional influences and personal motivators that influence how and why people connect with Zonta.” As District Governor, Olivia hopes to build a new, robust District 24 operating structure, motivate and inspire members, encourage collaboration among clubs and their communities to advance the status of women and transform membership to take District 24 beyond 2010.
For over 25 years, Kalpana has been a professional architect and interior designer of residential and commercial buildings. She co-founded her company, Kcee Properties, five years ago and is involved in all aspects of running the business – from the technical to marketing and financial. Kalpana credits her profession for helping her become a better Zontian. “Being faced with handling labor in the construction industry for people who are both skilled and unskilled and who live on the border of poverty in my country has exposed me to their needs and wants, and has awakened an awareness and sympathy to the people from less privileged walks of life,” said Kalpana. In turn, she feels Zonta has made her more responsible to society at large, particularly towards women and children. This Biennium, Kalpana plans to increase clubs, with an emphasis on India; grow membership; initiate the first ever District program; encourage interaction among Clubs and countries; and increase online networking among all members. Lt. Governor – Naheed Moyeen Treasurer – Mridula Syed Secretary – G.L. Sampoorna Area 1 Director – Marlene Abeywardene Area 2 Director – Famida Kareem
DI STR ICT 26 Makiko Yamamoto Zonta Club of Sendai I Sendai, Japan Makiko is a medical doctor specializing in internal medicine and endocrinology. With 35 years of experience in medicine, Makiko works at the private Mori-Yoko clinic, where she treats women with diseases of the thyroid gland, and Tohoku University Hospital, the largest and the oldest hospital in Sendai, where she has a clinic helping patients to quit smoking. As a physician, Makiko has experienced many inequalities in her professional life. Since joining Zonta in 1992, Makiko has acquired greater empathy for her patients. “Learning about domestic violence through Zonta, I can better understand the feelings of female patients.” Makiko has previously served as Club President and Area Director. She hopes to see five new clubs charter in District 26 in the upcoming biennium, and says, “Listen, speak, discuss, think, and begin the action!” Lt. Governor – Tokue Ueda Treasurer – Hitomi Hasumi Secretary – Yasue Nakamura Area 1 Director – Naoko Miyake Area 2 Director – Kimie Hatayama Area 3 Director – Yoko Yukioka Area 4 Director – Hiroko Nakamura
Lt. Governor – Carolyn Evans Treasurer – Dorothy Koukari Secretary – Shirley Graham Area 1 Director – Barbara Horsfield Area 2 Director – Kerrie Brown Area 3 Director – Robyn Hardman
DI STR ICT 25 Kalpana R. Shanmugham Zonta Cub of Madras Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 36 THE ZONTIAN
JULY 2008
l-r: Makiko Yamamoto, Ria Verstraete, Regula Dannecker