It is with great pride and appreciation that I nominate Irene Mayo, MCSc, RN for recognition through the FiND DAISY Advancing Health Equity Award. This distinction honors members of the Filipino Nursing Diaspora (FiND) Network who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, service, and collaboration in advancing health equity and strengthening the global Filipino nursing community. Irene Mayo’s contributions reflect these values in meaningful and sustained ways.

As a respected leader within the FiND Network, Irene Mayo has consistently demonstrated her commitment to advancing dialogue, collaboration, and professional unity among Filipino nurses across borders. Her leadership is grounded in a deep understanding that strengthening professional networks and fostering global conversations are essential to addressing inequities in healthcare and elevating the role of nurses in shaping health systems.

A significant example of her leadership was her role as Convenor of the 2nd International Roundtable Meeting of Filipino Nursing Leaders, held in Helsinki, Finland in June 2025. This landmark gathering brought together Filipino nursing leaders from different parts of the world to exchange perspectives, share innovations, and identify collective priorities for advancing Filipino nursing leadership globally. Through this initiative, Irene helped create a platform that strengthened international professional connections and fostered strategic collaboration among diaspora leaders.

Her advocacy for equity and inclusive professional environments has also been evident through her participation in broader sector initiatives. Irene represented the FiND Network at the NSWNMA-led Anti-Racism Forum in Sydney in December 2025, contributing to critical conversations aimed at addressing racism and promoting respectful, inclusive workplaces within healthcare. Her engagement ensured that the perspectives and experiences of Filipino nurses were present in efforts to strengt   6yh7hen fairness and cultural inclusion within the profession.

Her commitment to strengthening diaspora engagement extends beyond Europe and Australia. In June 2025, she served as a speaker at the National Roundtable Meeting of Filipino Nurses in Bahrain, where she shared insights and helped facilitate dialogue on leadership, workforce issues, and professional collaboration among Filipino nurses working in the Middle East. Her participation reinforced the importance of connecting Filipino nurses across different regions of the world to support shared goals and mutual empowerment.

Within FiND’s major global initiatives, Irene has also played a crucial role in program development and coordination. She contributed significantly to the preparatory efforts for the 6th International Filipino Nursing Symposium, helping ensure that the symposium continues to serve as a meaningful platform for knowledge exchange, leadership development, and global engagement among Filipino nurses.

Her commitment to strengthening leadership dialogue is further reflected in her role as co-convenor of the Roundtable Meeting of Filipino Nursing Regulatory Leaders in July 2025. This initiative brought together individuals involved in nursing regulation and governance to discuss emerging issues affecting the profession, highlighting the importance of collaboration between leaders working across different health systems.

In addition to these initiatives, Irene has helped expand FiND’s communication and knowledge-sharing platforms by facilitating the “Pinoy Nurse Podcast Series.” Through this initiative, she has helped amplify the voices and experiences of Filipino nurses, creating a space where stories of leadership, innovation, and service can inspire nurses across the diaspora.

Across all these contributions, Irene Mayo demonstrates a leadership style that is collaborative, forward-looking, and deeply committed to strengthening the collective voice of Filipino nurses worldwide. Her efforts help cultivate connections across countries, institutions, and professional sectors, reinforcing the global solidarity that defines the Filipino nursing diaspora.

For her sustained dedication to leadership, advocacy, and collaboration within the global Filipino nursing community, Irene Mayo is highly deserving of recognition through the FiND DAISY Advancing Health Equity Award. FiND celebrates her achievements with deep admiration and gratitude—confident that her leadership will continue to empower future generations and shape a more equitable healthcare landscape for all.