Losena Kaloulia Naisilisili out on the field.(Supplied)

In Fiji, Losena Kaloulia Naisilisili is known as the “Switch Queen”, a nickname given to her from her time working behind the switchboards on live TV broadcasts.

From there, Naisilisili went on to direct her first live outdoor sports broadcast and is now a leader in directing news and television at FBC.

In an industry where men have long been in control, her journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Initially making switches as directed by male directors, Naisilisili was diligent and learned quickly, soon moving to directing and making the switches herself.

“Overseas, one person commands while another switches. For us here in Fiji, the director both directs and switches — calling and taking the shots at the same time,” she said.

“In the studio, I handle everything: framing, setting the lights, chroma, giving commands, and switching. There’s a set format and sequence we follow every day.

“For OB (outside broadcasts), it’s different. It’s a live game, and you never know what’s going to happen. I set the sequence myself, always from a spectator’s point of view, while adding surprise elements to keep it interesting.”

The “Switch Queen” in action (Supplied)

The real challenge came when she was asked to lead a team of men who had been in the industry much longer than she had.

Many of them saw her as “just a woman” and doubted her ability to handle the demands of the role, like lifting heavy equipment or setting up cameras.

But she wanted to overcome the doubters, not just proving herself to them but also proving to herself that she could succeed.

“I knew I wanted to direct TV in the studio from the moment I saw how it was done,” she said.

“I was just waiting for the opportunity to present itself, and once it did, I gladly grabbed it with both hands. With hard work and perseverance, I got to where I am today.”

When she transitioned to sporting outside broadcasts, she noticed that women were often confined to the studio, where it became predictable and routine.

But in sports OB directing, she had to think on her feet, deciding what shots to take and planning the sequence based on the venue.

Naisilisili working a live event. (Supplied)

This fast-paced environment was exactly what she craved, but she admitted the journey hadn’t been easy.

“I think the main thing is sacrifice. You can’t serve two masters at once. You’ll need to fail to achieve things; without failure, you won’t experience growth,” Naisilisili said.

“You’ll fail several times, but you must keep standing up and never underestimate yourself. If you have the energy and passion, you can achieve anything and go a long way.”

Naisilisili said she felt proud to have opened doors and inspired young girls to believe they can do the same. Her journey has also changed the perspective of men in an industry which is still very male-dominated.

“Being a Fijian woman leading a male-dominated team is both a challenge and an opportunity to show that leadership is not about gender, but about respect and vision,” she said.

“I hope my journey encourages younger women to believe that we all have a place in this space, no matter who we are.”

Through her posts on social media documenting her journey, she aims to break norms and inspire her children and grandchildren to follow in her footsteps while honouring other pioneering women who have paved the way for others in the media space.

Passionate about empowering the next generation, she actively encourages women in media to pursue TV directing and is always eager to mentor and teach young women interested in stepping into the role.

Editorial note June 9, 2025: An earlier version of this story said Losena Kaloulia Naisilisili was the first woman in Fiji to direct a live sports outdoor broadcast, this has been removed.

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