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The Pacific Disability Forum works across the Pacific and this is reflected in our board and staff. Learn more about the people who work with us to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the Pacific below.
Board
Simon Dolaiano (Solomon Islands) Co-Chairperson (Male)
Simon Dolaiano is the President of Persons with Disabilities Solomon Islands.
Nelly Caleb (Vanuatu) Co-Chairperson (Female)
Nelly Caleb of Vanuatu – National Coordinator of Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association of Vanuatu. Kyle Miers (Australia) Board Tresurer
Kyle Miers is the Chief Executive Officer of Deaf Australia Tewai Halatau (New Zealand) Board Secretary Tewai Halatau is the General Manager for Vision Pacific Charitable Trust Ipul Powaseu (Papua New Guinea) Board Member
Ipul Powaseu is the co - chairperson of the Papua New Guinea Association of Disabled Persons
Richard Fournier (New Caledonia) Board Member
Richard Fournier is the presidnt of Collectif Handiap of New Caledonia
Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo (Samoa) Board Member Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo is the Secretary of the board of Nuanua O Le Alofa Association, and promotion and awareness coordinator for SENESE inclusive support service. Sovaia Coalala (Fiji) Board Member
Timote Solo (Tonga) Board Member
Timote Solo is currently the president of Tonga NationalDisability Congress based in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Setareki S. Macanawai Chief Executive Officer
Setareki Macanawai is one of the pioneers of the disability movement in the Pacific and one of the DPO leaders who established the Pacific Disability Forum. He was our 1st staff member in 2006 charged with the responsibility of setting up the PDF Secretariat in Suva, Fiji in January 2007. He has lead the PDF team, and fostered the disability movement across the Pacific since then. Setareki was recognised for his contributions by the UN in 2012 with an Asia-Pacific Disability Rights Champions Award.
Katabwena Tawaka Program Manager
Katabwena Tawaka joined PDF at the end of 2010. He brought a lot experience from his role as Program Manager for PIANGO. He manages the Progam Team.
Raveen Chand Manager - Finace and Coperate
Raveen Chand manages all financial, accounting and administrative matters and leads the coperate team.
Angeline has been with PDF since 2009. Her role is developing the capacity of our member PDF Disabled Peoples Organisations through training and support. She also manages the Pacific Disabled People’s Organisation Development Fund. Angeline has been recognised for her work by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement.
Laisa Vereti Qalo Research and Development Officer
Laisa Vereti is the new research and development officer for the Pacific Disability Forum. She was part of the UNPRPD Project and based at PDF as a UNV Volunteer. She previously worked as a programme coordinator for the Pacific Islands Association of NGO(PIANGO), a regional platform in the region. Prior to that she was an executive assistant/programme officer for a national NGO, the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS). She also worked for the Fiji School of Medicine and Oxfam Australia’s research in Fiji.
Simione Bula Inclusion Development Officer Simi is responsible for Inclusion in all areas of development and policies. Soloveni Vitoso Public Relations & Comunications Officer
Solo is responsible for Public Relations and for all information, communication, and Technology aspects within PDF. He also works with Disabled People’s Organisations to build their capacity in ICT and broaden their skills set. Arieta Dumaru Excutive Officer
Arie handles all secretariat work for the Chief Executive Officer.
Riteshni Devi Finance and Admin Assistant
Riteshni handles all administrative and financial work for the secretariat. She provides administrative support to the Finance and Coperate Team. Nancy Musukasau Programme Assistant. Nancy handles all programme logistics and administration work. She also provides support to all other teams in the office.
Neori Lagi Driver and Office Assistant
Neori is our driver and office assistant. He is responsible for all transportation matters and also assists in running errands and the office clean up.