Rotary Melbourne welcomed and inducted Mimmie Watts on 28 May 2025 with the classification Public Health - Education & Policy.
Professor Mimmie Watts was born in Cameroon, she initially studied natural sciences before training as a Registered Nurse in Yaoundé (1999). After migrating to Australia nearly 25 years ago, as a skilled professional, she earned her Master of Public Health from The University of Melbourne (2006), and a PhD in Public Health from La Trobe University (2013), Australia.
She further enhanced her leadership capabilities at Harvard University where she completed the Emerging Executive Women in Health Leadership program (2019); and at Victoria University, Australia, where she completed the Women in Leadership Program (2013). She was a lecturer for over a decade at Victoria University. Professor Watts is married and balances her distinguished career with raising three children.
Prof Watts lectures in the MBA (Health Services Management stream) Federation University Australia where she also supervises postgraduate research students. She was the inaugural Director of Industry Cooperation, Institute of Health & Wellbeing at Federation University.
Prof Watts’s global influence spans significant international engagement, including her role as Australian Chair, African Science Research & Innovation Council (African Union Commission). Prof Watts recently addressed the UN General Assembly in New York at the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, advocating for racial equity in AI governance, reparatory justice etc., and has contributed to UN human rights panels in Geneva on anti-discrimination strategies. Her other affiliations include Ambassador for VMware's 'Virtualize Africa' initiative; Policy Committee World Federation of Public Health Associations; Adjunct Professor Research, Fiji National University, Fiji; and Adjunct Associate Professor Mekelle University, Ethiopia. She is also an entrepreneur.
Professor Watts demonstrates strong alignment with Rotary values through her commitment to service. As a former Commissioner for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, she advised on inclusion policies and co-convened the African Diaspora Women Summit.
A passionate advocate for women's empowerment, she champions the principle that "when women support each other, incredible things happen." She’s well published in academic refereed journals. Her book (prose) Sahara Piercing the Thatch Ceiling explores overcoming barriers through the journey of the composite character, Sahara, a woman who embodies many others.
Professor Watts is interested in Rotary's International Service Committee, and (others) bringing global connections from her international education and leadership roles.
Prof Watts's career embodies Rotary-aligned commitments to global impact, educational transformation, community advocacy, and inclusive leadership.
Mimmie is a member of the Central 1 group.
