From being abandoned by his parents at a young age and living on the streets to building his own business, and to losing a job after 30 years of service, the stories of survival shared by Limitless Marketing Founder Asta Sonner and Nadro Events Solutions Director Mili Naituyaga moved the attendees to tears at Leadership Fiji’s final Leaders Lounge event.
Held under the theme Legacy Through Story, the event brought together friends and alumni of Leadership Fiji, providing a platform for the two entrepreneurs to share their journey of overcoming adversity and rebuilding their lives.
Sonner inspired the audience with his story of growing up without parental support, living alone on the streets and eventually rising above his circumstances to become the director of his own business.
Naituyaga, the wife of the late former Fiji 7s player Aminiasi Naituyaga, also known as the Steelman, shared her experience of being made redundant by Fiji Airways after 30 years of service, reflecting on the challenges she faced following the unexpected turn in her career.
Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Fiji, Sharyne Fong, thanked the participants for being part of the organisation’s programmes from the beginning of the year through to the final event.
Fong says the safe space created through the Leaders Lounge had encouraged members to inspire others and build a future grounded in resilience by drawing strength from the challenges they had faced.
The event highlighted the importance of storytelling in preserving experiences, strengthening identity and passing on valuable lessons and knowledge to future generations.
