Saiya is a first year at Tulane University studying Public Health and International Development on the pre-medical track who aspires to do global health work to increase access to healthcare.  She is passionate about education and empowering women, believing that these are essential building blocks for a healthy, better future.

Saiya first connected with Melanesian Women Today as a volunteer in middle school, inspired by its mission to elevate the voices of women in the Pacific. Her Guyanese and Japanese heritage inspired her to keep seeking deep cultural learning: Today, she serves on the Board as Secretary and is also the Editor-in-Chief of Kalja Magazine, a platform dedicated to sharing stories, culture, and perspectives from across Melanesia.

She has been doing health advocacy work since high school with Partners In Health and is now a Health Equity Fellow at Tulane and she is excited to continue growing through her 7th year with Melanesian Women Today contributing to initiatives that create real change for women and communities in Melanesia.