Journey Through Transitions
Dr Siona Fernandes is a Bharatanatyam artist-turned-Olympian and interdisciplinary academic whose work spans India, New Zealand, and Australia. Her journey reflects a lifelong commitment to movement, culture, sport, and human potential — shaping a mission to inspire a generation through leadership, wellbeing, and community impact.
Performing Arts | India
Born into India’s rich cultural traditions, Siona began training in Bharatanatyam at the age of seven. She completed her arangetram and formal discipleship under her guru, while also pursuing competitive sport.
Alongside her artistic training, she achieved national-level recognition in basketball as the first female state-level probable.
Her academic foundation includes a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts. She was later awarded an Advanced Dance Study Scholarship on merit to further her training in India.
New Zealand | Olympic Sport
In New Zealand, she competed in elite level sport, marking a shift toward Olympic-level competition in boxing. Siona became part of New Zealand’s sporting history during the introduction of women’s boxing at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She received the Most Scientific Boxer Elite Women National Award.
She was appointed to serve as a New Zealand Olympic Ambassador.
She also completed a Master of Sport and Exercise.
Trans-Tasman | Research & Practice
Her work later expanded into interdisciplinary research across the Trans-Tasman region, focusing on how sociocultural environments shape participation in sport and physical activity, particularly within migrant communities and Indian populations.
This work connects research, policy, and practice to advance health equity, wellbeing, and inclusion. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including BMC Public Health.
She holds a PhD in Sport, Exercise and Public Health, supported by a Doctoral Scholarship Award.
Leadership & Governance
Alongside research and professional practice, Siona has contributed to sport and academic governance across local, national, and international systems, with a focus on strategy, policy, equity, and inclusion.
Her roles have included contributions to State and National Sporting Organisation committees in Australia, Chair of a Global Early Career Network, and advisory roles across New Zealand.
For Community Wellbeing
Today, Siona works at the intersection of public health, sport for development, cultural identity, and community wellbeing.
As an accredited exercise professional, she integrates evidence-based practice, movement, and cultural understanding to support healthier individuals and stronger communities.
Her interdisciplinary approach to community engagement focuses on health and wellbeing, social determinants of health, participation in sport, equity and inclusion, and culturally responsive practice.
Roots & Values
Shaped by multiple cross-cultural transitions, Siona remains deeply connected to her Indian heritage. She values a healthy mind, body, community, and sense of place, and continues to seek opportunities that deepen her understanding of contribution, leadership, and impact.
“My sense of achievement has grown from lived challenges and seeking opportunities across cultures, systems, and practices. As an Indian and migrant woman, I’ve come to deeply value freedom (liberal thinking), justice, courage, and compassion.
I thrive in spaces where diverse lived experiences are valued and in organisations that empower those contributions to support community.
Let’s inspire our generation to be the best they can be”
– Dr Siona Fernandes OLY