Iree Chow Radclyffe is hoping to develop her skills through, and with, a Pacific lens by taking part in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
Motivating young entrepreneur Iree Chow Radclyffe in life is a deep sense of service, and drive to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples.
Proudly Pacific herself, 30-year-old Iree is of Solomon Islands and Federated States of Micronesia heritage, and currently resides in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Iree has a passion for entrepreneurship and business, which she says was nurtured by her parents who started their own business where she worked growing up.
“I have a background in business, and I’ve had the opportunity to utilise my skills across a variety of roles and projects in the community sector,” Iree says.
“Since completing my tertiary education in Brisbane, I have since been actively engaged in community volunteer and professional roles centred primarily on Pacific peoples’ welfare and wellbeing…I have served on various boards and advisory groups advocating for Pacific communities in New Zealand and Australia at a local, state and federal level.”
While Iree says she wears many leis, her focus role is as a co-founder of the Future Ancestors Program – a leadership initiative designed to empower, equip and support Pasifika young people to be agents of change.
Iree has also recently added the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) to her busy timetable, joining 24 other YPL in Mangilao, Guåhan, for the Where Dreams Become Reality Conference.
The five-day conference from April 21-25, 2025, is part of AWE, a United States Government initiative to ensure women have equal opportunity to participate in the economy around the globe.
Selected YPL take part in the 12-month AWE, which involves online training supplemented with local speakers, networking opportunities and skill-building activities that support women as they develop their businesses, such as the upcoming conference, hosted by Guam Community College.
The conference includes presentations from expert speakers, workshops, networking sessions, and industry tours around the US territory.
Iree says she applied for AWE to learn how she can develop her skills through, and with, a Pacific lens.
“While there are several initiatives for entrepreneurs, I see the immense value of a culturally tailored program with women leaders from across the Pacific region.
“I hope to also apply the knowledge I gain to empower women in my community – providing similar opportunities for them to build their capacity and redefine the perception of women in business and as leaders.”
She also aims to take learnings from AWE and apply them to the Future Ancestors Program, and specifically to support Solomon Islands women build their capacity and redefine the perception of women in business, and as leaders.
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State initiative.
