Renee Mero, founder of Project Yumi, embodies a profound journey of resilience, purpose, and heartfelt commitment to social impact. Her story is deeply human—rooted in a childhood shaped by frequent moves, a strong work ethic inherited from her parents, and a passion for education ignited by inspiring teachers.

Professional Background and Project Yumi

Renee is an Australian qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Education, who began her career as a primary school teacher at Education Queensland. Married to a Papua New Guinean, she gained firsthand insight into the education and health inequalities faced in PNG. She also has corporate experience in supply chain excellence with Shell’s QGC business.

Established in Brisbane in 2015, Project Yumi has saved over 1.5 million quality resources and impacted more than 50,000 lives in PNG. Driven by 150+ volunteers, key initiatives include Project Skul (education), Bush Dokta (health), Project Wok (youth empowerment), and Pass It On (resource redistribution).

Childhood and Foundations of Values

Renee reflects, “Both of my parents worked, and my dad served in the Royal Australian Air Force, which meant we moved frequently and had the opportunity to live in different parts of Australia.” Growing up in multicultural neighborhoods, she learned “the importance of acceptance, respect, and finding common ground with others.” Maya Angelou’s words inspire her: “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

Overcoming Adversity and Reflection

Renee shares, “In my sixth year of teaching, I began to feel the effects of burnout setting in… With limited support from administration, I found myself emotionally and physically exhausted.” This pause led to founding Project Yumi after visiting her husband’s village: “Taking a break to raise my children gave me the space to reconnect with my values.”

Winston Churchill’s insight resonates: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Defining Career Moments and Impact

Renee says, “Delivering essential education and medical resources, as well as youth empowerment programs, I began to truly see the tangible difference we were making.” A former student’s call reinforced “the influence of teaching extends far beyond the classroom.” She leads with purpose, reflecting Simon Sinek: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”

Family Influence and Resilience

Her mother showed her “it is possible for a woman to build a career, care for her family, and still support others.” This resilience encouraged Renee “to chase the goals that mattered most to me,” blending compassion with courage.

Leadership Philosophy: Listening and Empowerment

“True leadership isn’t about making decisions from the top down; it’s about listening first,” Renee says. She emphasizes co-designing with communities and trusts delegation, citing John Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Breaking Barriers and Empowering Youth

Renee candidly reveals experiencing imposter syndrome but urges leaders: “Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Turn that inner voice into motivation.” Her Project Wok program “showcases Papua New Guinean youth’s capabilities,” helping many secure employment. Nelson Mandela’s wisdom guides her: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

The Emotional Core of Project Yumi

Project Yumi builds partnerships with PNG communities to improve education and healthcare. Initiatives like Project Skul and Project Meri bridge inequalities in schools and women’s health. Project Wok empowers youth with employment skills, impacting 150+ schools and 20+ provinces.

The organization’s community-driven approach fosters trust and sustainability, positioning Project Yumi as a catalyst for nation-building. Renee describes the work as “a labor of love… that creates lasting impact,” bringing hope with “the joy a simple pencil case or book brings” and “watching someone secure a job.”

Her vision: to show people “that they count, that they are deserving, and that they are capable,” inspiring empowerment, inclusion, and belief in potential.