Page 42 - Islands Business October 2022

People People

Dr Audrey Aumua Ida Malosi Karo Maha Lelai Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Dr Robin Mitchell
MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Nauru has sworn in its new President, officer Robin Fleming has been Taueni-Sialis to be its new chief
Russ Joseph Kun, for the next three accorded the title of Honorary operating officer. Taueni-Sialis has more
years, replacing former president and Professor in Banking and Finance by the than 20 years of work experience in the
new Deputy Speaker of parliament, University of Papua New Guinea for his mining and petroleum industry.
Lionel Aingimea. Other new cabinet contribution to the country.
ministers are: Martin Hunt as Minister Palau National Communications
for Finance, Wawani Dowiyogo The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma Corporation’s new CEO is Simon
as Minister for Fisheries, Rennier has re-elected Reverend Ili Vunisuwai Fraser. Originally from Ireland,
Gadabau as Minister for Environmental as its president until 2023, replacing Fraser previously held the position
Management, Timothy John Ika as Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa. of commercial director for Digicel in
Minister for Health, Richard-Hyde Other executive members re-elected Barbados.
Menke as Minister for Education and were Dr Semisi Turagavou as church
Pyon Deiye as Minister for Media. general secretary, Joji Qaranivalu American Samoa lawyer Don Hong has
as assistant president, and Rev Anil been promoted as litigation partner
Fiji’s Dr Robin Mitchell has been Rueben as the deputy general secretary in Kirkland & Ellis, an American
elected unopposed as President of of the church. multinational law firm, and the largest
the Association of National Olympic law firm in the world by revenue.
Committees (ANOC). The Fijian official Michael Macdonald Bartlett is the
secures a four-year term that is due to new chief executive officer for Papua New Guinea senior journalist,
run until 2026 and is the first Fijian and Fiji’s Biosecurity Authority. Bartlett Miriam Zarriga is the Post Courier’s new
Pacific Islander to be elected to the comes into the role with 17 years of Chief of Staff, succeeding Lawrence
post. experience in executive leadership Fong who held the position for the last
in large agri-business across three three years.
The Pacific Islands News Association has continents.
re-elected Papua New Guinean Kora Three new youth senators have been
Nou as President, with Robert Iroga of In Samoa, Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa sworn into the 18th Northern Marianas
Solomon Islands as Vice President for a Sualauvi is the country’s Head of State Youth Congress. They are: Ichiro E.
two-year term. Others elected to the for the next five years. Tomokane, Tamisha Lia DB Sablan, and
board are: Fred Wesley (Fiji), Dominic Ysabella Nikonia Rita V. Palacios.
Appi (Nauru), Katalina Tohi (Tonga), The Pacific Community’s Pacific Women
Georgina Kekea (Solomon Islands) and Lead Governance Board has announced Tamzin Wardley is the new chair of
Iliesa Tora (Tonga). 13 new members. They are: Dr Audrey PNG’s National Superannuation Fund
Aumua (Chair), Rev James Bhagwan (Nasfund). She takes over from Charles
Guam geologist John W. Jenson has (Deputy Chair), Alexander Su’a, ‘Ana Vee who remains on the board as an
been given the Order of the CHamorri Malia Falemaka, Ethel Sigimanu, ordinary director.
Award – the highest civilian honour the Nadine Jalabert, Rhema Misa, Susil
governor of Guam can give to a non- Nelson-Kongoi, Tahina Booth, Teretia Five members have joined the American
native resident of Guam. Jenson, who Tokam, Mereseini Rakuita (ex-officio Samoa Election Board for the next four
is based at the University of Guam, has member, SPC), Paki Ormsby (ex-officio years. They are: Siutu Savusa, Miriama
undertaken invaluable research into member, PIFS) and Julianne Cowley Seumanutafa, Aiono Nedley Matatutia,
water resources in Guam and other (ex-officio member, DFAT). Tualatai Laumoli, and Christian
parts of the Micronesia region. Faataitai. Selected in the territory’s
Papua New Guinea’s Chamber of Mines Campaign Spending Commission are
BSP Financial Group chief executive and Petroleum has selected Pansy

42 Islands Business, October 2022