Vira Paky

Congolese New Zealander who thrives at the intersection of arts, community engagement and social impact.

Vira is a Community Engagement specialist, who has previously worked in the health, refugee, migrant, and youth sector. Her background is in storytelling as an award-winning activist, writer, poet and playwright. As a politically engaged storyteller, she believes in the potential of art for transformative social change and thrives at the intersections of social impact, community engagement and creative arts. She currently works at Basement Theatre as their Programming Co-ordinator. Vira is committed to human-centred design and systems change to solve pressing social issues and contribute to a more equitable, sustainable Aotearoa.

Vira is the former Chairperson of the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council, 2021 Recipient of the Gary Ware Legacy Humanitarian Award from Amnesty International, 2021 Recipient of the Waitematā Local Board Good Citizens Award, lead for the 2022 Youth Leadership Symposium (Mana Rangatahi Hui Taumata) and a member of The Hive (Season 3). She is an Executive Member of the Multi-ethnic Young Leaders Network, and is part of the Youth Advisory Group at Inspiring Stories.

Speaking Themes: Diversity & inclusion, youth leadership, social justice, storytelling
Offering: Keynote Speaker, Panelist, MC, Facilitator