The Autonomous Region of Bougainville Catholic Education Secretary, Mrs. Joyceanne Pinoko believes leadership starts at home. For her, raising good families helps to build a good community and, in turn, a robust nation. As the Secretary for the Bougainville Catholic Education Agency, it is a belief that she holds onto at home and in her work. “To be a leader one must demonstrate that they can take care of family, and this rolls out to the community and workplace,” Joyceanne said. One of 6 children of subsistence farmers, Joyceanne comes from Porubi village in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. She credits her father with teaching her early on the importance of effective leadership. His ability to manage their farm with limited resources left a mark on her, shaping her belief that leadership is about caring for family, community, and the workplace. Joyceanne went on to have 6 children of her own, and when her husband passed away in 2011, the leadership qualities exhibited by her father came to the fore. “I was devasted, my emotions deeply impacted my mental state, I thought this was it for me and my kids, our dreams of seeing our children through to tertiary institutions was not going to happen,” she said. “I used to be too dependent on my husband but, after his death, I had no choice but to take up the responsibility of a father and a mother, I was able to pull through with the support of my family and colleagues,” Joyceanne said. She was determined to see her children complete their education. Her commitment to her late husband’s legacy bore fruit when her 2 eldest children completed college and obtained employment. It was the proudest moment of her life. At the time, Joyceanne was a teacher, a profession she had pursued since primary school, but she realized if she was going to give her children the best education opportunities she could, she needed to do more as a single parent. She strived in her teaching and other additional leadership responsibilities given to her by the school board and head teachers. A passionate educator, she was not afraid to challenge decisions made by head teachers and school board members when she felt the decisions were not beneficial to students and teachers. “I believe education is the way forward for our children." "We need educated people to work and develop our communities and the country. I believe in education for all, so I continue to be very vocal about education." When Joyceanne’s eldest children completed college and found employment, she was inspired to continue her own studies and enrolled in a Master of Educational Leadership at Divine Word University. In 2022, after 34 years of teaching, Joyceanne embarked on a new chapter as Catholic Education Secretary, entrusted with overseeing educational programs and teacher appointments across Catholic agency schools. Her leadership extends beyond administrative duties; she champions education as a catalyst for societal change, working tirelessly to ensure equitable access to quality education for all children in Bougainville. “After teaching for 34 years, there are some changes I hope to see and now, in my current role, I will work hard to deliver the best education to our children,” she said. Joyceanne has faced some challenges to her leadership roles over the years, including opposition to her appointments from male counterparts. “Men always ask what women can do in demanding positions? I have learnt that it is not about me, it is about what we can do together to bring the necessary education services into our communities,” she said. “I would like to encourage women in all walks of life not to give up on what you want to achieve. With a humble spirit, honesty, and commitment you will be successful in life." Joyceanne exemplifies the resilience and determination necessary to overcome challenges and has made a meaningful impact on her community. As she continues her mission to provide quality education for all, she remains steadfast in her belief that education is the cornerstone of a brighter future for Bougainville. With her leadership and dedication, she is paving the way for generations to come.