Associate Professor Soma Pillay is an accomplished academic and leader with extensive experience in management, governance, and strategic leadership. She brings a strong commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, underpinned by a distinguished record across higher education, community engagement, and research focused on migration and employability.
Soma contributes strategic insight, advocacy, and capacity-building expertise to strengthen impact across research, learning and teaching, and leadership. Her professional practice is informed by a deep commitment to empowering women from multicultural backgrounds, closely aligning with the Centre’s mission and values.
A migrant herself, Soma was raised during South Africa’s apartheid era—an experience that has shaped her empathetic, inclusive, and values-driven approach to leadership. She has served on a range of academic and advisory boards and brings well-developed capabilities in governance, strategic planning, and accountable decision-making.
With a background in management and public sector governance, Soma offers a nuanced understanding of equity, transparency, and inclusive leadership. She is deeply committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the health, well-being, and active participation of women from diverse cultural backgrounds in society.