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A partnership of Pacific organisations of and for persons with disabilities
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
Latoa Halatau (New Zealand) Co-Chairperson (Male)
Latoa Halatau is the General Manager for Akamarama Advocacy Inc.
Villany Remengesau (Palau) Co-Chairperson (Female)
Villany Remengesau is a member of the Omekasang Association of Palau. Faatino Utumapu (Samoa) Board Secretary Fa'atino is the Office Manager for NOLA in Samoa
Jacquiline Garou (Papua New Guinea) Board Member Ms Jacqueline Garoau, is the Co Chairperson of the Papua New Guinea Assembly of Persons with Disabilities. Teweiriki Teaero (Kiribati) Board Member
Teweiriki Teaero is the president of Te Toa Matoa
Samantha French (Australia) Board Member Samantha French is the Senior Policy Officer, Employment and Accessibility for PWD Australia.
Mataiti Mataiti (Cook Islands) Board Member Mataiti Mataini is the president of the Cook Islands National Disability Congress
Board Member Ofeina Leka is the president of Tonga National Visual Impairment Association (TNDC)
Melita Delaibau (Fiji) - Board Member
Melita Delaibau is the president of the Fiji Association of the Deaf.
Personnel
Setareki Macanawai Chief Executive Officer Mr. Setareki Macanawai is accountable for the operational management and delivery of a range of business and advisory functions in support of the strategic goals and objectives of the PDF Raveen Chand Manager - Corporate and Finance Mr. Raveen Chand manages the PDF finances and financial reporting for the Secretariat and a support role for the project funding recipients, and with timely coordination of the daily operational and administration functions as they impact on the financial governance of PDF. He reports to the Chief Executive Officer. Katabwena Tawaka Manager - Preparedness Emergency Response Unit (PERU) Mr. Katabwena Tawaka is responsible for providing leadership and support to PERU’s programming initiatives, source funding, as well as developing strategies; delivering training; providing technical assistance and developing resources/tools. He also provides mentoring and capacity building on climate change science and adaptation and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Laisa Vereti Director Operations Ms. Laisa Vereti ensures the effective delivery of program planning, implementation, reporting, research, evaluation and monitoring, advocacy, information sharing and profile raising services for the Pacific Disability Forum. She reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Angeline Chand Team Leader - Programmes
Simione Bula Regional Coordinator - Disaster Risk Reduction. Mr. Simione Bula is responsible for assisting with the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PERU's Disaster Risk Reduction programme activities and objectives. He reports directly to the Manager - PERU. Sainimili Tawake Regional Coordinator - Climate Change
Ms. Sainimili Tawake is responsible for assisting with the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PERU's climate change programme activities and objectives. She reports directly to the Manager - PERU. Mereoni Daveta Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Programme Officer Ms. Mereoni Daveta is responsible is responsible for assisting with the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PDF's programme activities and objectives related to community based inclusive development (50% of time), Pacific accessibility blueprint (30% of time) and assistive products regional program (20% of time). She is also responsible for managing working relationships with PDF stakeholders and monitoring specific projects related to these three strategic priorities. She reports directly to the Team Leader, Programs. Telesia Kobiti Research Officer
Ms. Telesia Kobiti undertakes research activities identified and prioritized by the Pacific Disability Forum which addresses the emerging issues facing persons with disabilities within the Pacific region. Working collaboratively with the disabled peoples organisations, NGO's, regional organisations, governments, businesses, Universities, research institutions, and other key stakeholders, she will also contribute to the development of policy frameworks, advocacy strategies, and capacity building programs that will support disability inclusion in compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and related disability frameworks in the region. She reports to the Manager - Policy, Advocacy and Planning Soloveni Vitoso Interim IT Officer
Mr. Soloveni Vitoso is responsible for managing and maintaining PDF’s information, communication and technology services and for providing relevant trainings to member countries in these areas. He is based in Suva and reports to Manager - Finance and Corporate.
Ruci Senikula Programme Officer
Ms. Ruci Senikula is responsible for our youth, indigenous persons with disabilities and inclusive Bugdeting. Generally her role is assisting with the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PDF's programme activities and objectives. The role is also responsible for managing working relationships with PDF stakeholders and monitoring specific projects. She reports directly to the Team Leader, Programmes. Rosie Catharine Programme Officer Ms. Rosie Catherine is responsible for disability inclusive churches and theological schools and intellectual disabilities. Generally her role is assisting with the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PDF's programme activities and objectives. The role is also responsible for managing working relationships with PDF stakeholders and monitoring specific projects. She reports directly to the Team Leader, Programmes. Maria Miller Programme Officer Ms. Maria Miller is responsible for inclusive education and inclusive sports. Generally her role is assisting with the successful coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PDF's programme activities and objectives. The role is also responsible for managing working relationships with PDF stakeholders and monitoring specific projects. She reports directly to the Team Leader, Programmes.
Rohit Prasad Finance and Admin Assistant
Mr. Rohit Prasad assists the Manager - Finance & Corporate with bookkeeping (general ledger & balance sheet reconciliation, payroll, petty cash, financial reports and accounts processing). He also facilitates administrative support and delivers customer services for the Pacific Disability Forum. Arieta Dumaru Executive Assistant Ms. Arieta Dumaru handles all secretariat work for the Chief Executive Officer. She also supports the Chair in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Board Committee. In general, she ensures that all meetings are effectively organised and minuted; maintaining effective records and administration of the Pacific Disability Forum.
Nancy Queen Administrative Assistant
Ms. Nancy Queen will assist the PDF Secretariat team to grow their organization to become the prominent voice of persons with disabilities in the Pacific. Thus she is responsible for all administrative task to support all teams in terms of travels, logistics, and accomodations. She also supports the Finance Team and general customer services and reports to the Manager - Finance and Corporate.
Neori Lagi
Office Assistant
Mr. Neori Lagi prepares refreshments for staff and visitors, ensures the office is in a clean and tidy state and runs errands as required.He reports to the Manager - Finance and Corporate
Humantarian Trainer Ms Petra Letter Ms. Petra Letter who has a Contractual Agreement with RedR Australia is deployed with us, Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) under our MoU with RedR Australia as an expert in the sector of humanitarian response. Since us (PDF), a Regional Organization supported by regional and international Governments and International Non - governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are mandated to execute our obligations specifically in the disability sector working closely with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) organizations in the Pacific to promote disability inclusion. There is a need for DRR expertise with knowledge and experience of working with persons with disabilities. There is limited resources in the Pacific in this specific area and PDF for which we are indebted and captivated to have RedR Australia provide the much required abetment through secondment of Ms Petra Letter.