Last Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting Samantha Ratnam at the South Asian Women Business Awards in Sydney, an event that celebrates the resilience and creativity of South Asian women in business.
I have been following Samantha’s journey for years—from her leadership as the Victorian Greens leader to her impressive run as the Greens candidate for the seat of Wills in the federal election. Although she narrowly missed out on Wills on a two-candidate-preferred count, her impact and commitment to progressive politics continue to inspire me.
When Vithyaa Thavapalan from Brown Boss Babes told me Samantha would be at the awards, I was determined to be there. And it did not disappoint! We sat at the same table, and when I introduced myself, Samantha warmly said, “We’re finally meeting in person!” It was such a joy to see her in person and to acknowledge her incredible achievements.
During our conversation, we talked about the recent federal election and Greens representation. I was personally hoping to see Samantha elected for Wills and Mandy Nolan for Richmond, alongside all our existing federal MPs from Queensland and Greens leader Adam Bandt. While that wasn’t the outcome this time, we both agreed that we’ll learn from the last election and work even harder for the future. We are part of a movement that fights for what’s right and takes a stand on what’s best for the people—not for corporate donors or lobby groups. Our fight may take longer, but our foundation is stronger because we’re driven by grassroots voices and community action.
I want to thank Vithyaa Thavapalan for organising this well-deserved awards event that recognised so many talented business owners for their hard work. I’m sure this celebration will only grow bigger in the years to come! And I have to point out—the MC for the night was incredibly talented, making the audience laugh, listen, and stay fully engaged throughout the event.
For me, this meeting was more than a chance to connect with a political leader I admire. It was also a reminder of the power of representation and the need for more diverse voices in our political and business communities. Samantha’s journey—her unwavering commitment to social justice and her leadership within the Greens—mirrors so much of what I hope to champion in my work in the community.
Being in the same room with so many driven South Asian women, including Samantha, left me feeling energised and hopeful. It’s a reminder that our communities are stronger when we lift each other up and create spaces for everyone to thrive.
I look forward to sharing more of these experiences as I continue to work alongside our communities for a fairer, greener, and more inclusive Australia.
In solidarity,
Sujan Selven