FNU’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Ella Bennion, engaging with students during an outreach activity to promote awareness of the University and its study opportunities.

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) Director of Marketing and Communications, Ms Ella K Bennion, believes leadership is more than a title, it is a responsibility to serve, empower others and make people feel valued.

Long before taking on her leadership role at FNU, Ms Bennion was a curious young girl growing up around the sugar mills of Ba and Lautoka, learning some of life’s most enduring lessons from the two people who shaped her character, her grandparents.

Raised by her paternal grandparents and educated in Catholic schools, Ms Bennion describes her childhood as the best. Her fondest memories include family fishing trips, weekends at Vatia Wharf and the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Cuvu Cottages, and accompanying her grandfather to work at the sugar mills on Saturdays.

Those visits became an unexpected classroom. At just 10 years old, she learnt the basics of welding, operated a pop rivet gun and worked with her hands. She even built her own bed with her grandfather, which is kept in storage.

These experiences instilled in her a sense of independence, resourcefulness and a willingness to learn through practical experience.

“My grandparents will always be two of the greatest influences in my life because they built in me a solid foundation in values, ethics and character,” she said.

Her grandfather, who had only reached Year 8, rose to become a design engineer with the FSC. Her grandmother, despite having no formal education, taught herself to read and developed a love for books and newspapers.

FNU’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Ella Bennion, engaging with a student during an outreach activity to promote awareness of the University and its study opportunities.

Through them, Ms Bennion learnt that intelligence takes many forms and everyone has something valuable to contribute. This understanding continues to influence how she relates to people and approaches leadership.

Her career ambitions evolved over time. In Year 4, she recalls wanting to become a nun, but as she grew older, her interests shifted towards people, relationships and communication. She was an elegant pensmith and in high school held the uncontested title for ‘the person who receives the most letters’, a story for another day.

While in high school, she and some classmates worked part-time as tour guides for the Union Steam Ship Company, which facilitated cruise liners, particularly the Oriana, arriving in Lautoka. The experience introduced her to the importance of connecting with people and offered an early glimpse into learning beyond the classroom.

She began working at 17, gaining experience through different roles that gradually shaped her professional outlook.

A career setback later reinforced a lesson she had recognised as a student, and that was, education, combined with practical experience, could create new opportunities.

In her mid-30s, Ms Bennion returned to university at the University of the South Pacific (USP) to pursue her degrees. This decision became a turning point, opening doors in higher education and strengthening her interest in developing people and building the professional networks that would ultimately work with her to supercharge and drive Fiji and the region’s long-term human resource development.

Her journey demonstrates that career growth does not follow a fixed timeline. Sometimes, progress requires the courage to start again, recognise what is missing and invest in oneself, intentionally.

Leadership beyond a title

FNU’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Ella Bennion with Outreach specialist Akini Seru Tabua.

Today, Ms Bennion sees her position at FNU, as an opportunity to advocate for her team and lead by example.

“Professionally it is a title. Personally, it means responsibility, service, leadership, a role model, for example, if I am not willing to do anything because of safety issues, I should not expect my team to do it, a beacon, the voice of my team,” she said.

Her leadership approach combines assertiveness with empathy, emphasising trust, accountability and the importance of recognising people’s contributions.

She believes leaders must uphold the standards they expect of others while creating an environment where staff feel supported and confident in their responsibilities.

Much of her pride lies in the collective work of FNU’s marketing and communications team. From public relations stories, speeches and media releases to videos, podcasts, branding, awareness programmes, roadshows and community outreach, the team helps communicate the university’s work and impact.

She is particularly appreciative of the commitment required to coordinate simultaneous events, manage back-to-back deadlines and respond to requests at unusual hours while maintaining quality.

“These are the moments people do not see, neither do they feel,” she said, acknowledging the dedication of her colleagues and the support teams who work alongside them.

For Ms Bennion, effective communication is a collective effort, and every contribution matters in telling FNU’s story.

Finding strength in challenges

Ms Bennion’s professional journey has included disappointment, uncertainty and periods when work has tested her passion. Rather than allowing these experiences to define her, she has learnt to view them as temporary parts of a much larger journey.

“Failure and disappointment are temporary, they are just chapters in the book of my life. It will pass. But I remain grateful for having those experiences,” she said.

She also recognises the importance of knowing when to pause, prioritise health and wellbeing, delegate responsibilities and seek guidance from senior colleagues.

Family remains central to her sense of purpose, grounding her through different stages of life. For Ms Bennion, success extends beyond professional achievements to include good health, continued enthusiasm for her work, gratitude and the ability to still treat others with kindness.

She is grateful to those who have opened doors for her and understands that opportunities, also carry a responsibility to create pathways for others. The relationships built along the way are equally important, particularly because the time people share is precious and cannot be reclaimed.

A legacy of kindness

When asked what she hopes people at FNU will remember about her, Ms Bennion looks beyond titles and professional recognition.

She hopes to be remembered as someone who treated others with kindness, made them feel seen and valued, and encouraged them to appreciate perspectives different from their own.

“Most importantly, I would like them to say that Ella made us realise our worth,” she said.

For Ms Bennion, making a difference does not always require grand gestures. It can begin with acknowledging someone’s contribution, offering encouragement, listening with empathy or creating an opportunity for another person to grow.

Her advice is simple. “Be intentional, find opportunities each day to be kind, express gratitude and be of service.”

As she continues her leadership journey at FNU, Ms Bennion champions an approach that places people at the heart of professional success. Her story is a reminder that, while a title defines a role, the way a leader treats, encourages and empowers others ultimately shapes their legacy.