Board
Emma Waiwai – Chairperson
Mrs. Emma Waiwai is an engineer by profession and manages the ICAO & Government Liaison Office of the PNG Civil Aviation Authority. Her career with CAA spans 23 years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from the PNG University of Technology and is a Member of the PNG Institute of Engineers. Emma is the Female Vice President of PNGSFOC and Chairperson of Women & Sport Committee. She was the Chef De Mission of the PNG team to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Isle of Man and is currently the Vice President of PNG Basketball Federation.
David Conn -Games Support Services
Mr. David Conn MBE PHF is the CEO of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce. He graduated with an MA from Glasgow University and in 1977 arrived in PNG as a British Service Overseas Volunteer teacher. He joined the Department of Education and served for nine years as a teacher, principal and administrator. David set up Spring International Holdings, an educational supply and freight forwarding company. He served as President of the PNG Chamber of Commerce for eight years and as property manager for Divine Word University. David also served as Pro-Chancellor for Higher Education Councils, as National Capital District Commissioner responsible for disability support and represented overseas organisations providing technical and business support to PNG. As a Rotarian David has three PHF Recognitions, has received 75th and 100th Anniversary awards and was awarded the Service above Self Medal in 1996. He was President of the Rotary Club of Boroko and Deputy District Governor for the twelve clubs which make up the PNG and Solomon Islands portion of District 9600. He is responsible for all Games Services.
Tamzin Wardley – Sports Services
Ms Tamzin Wardley is now volunteering full-time with the Pacific Games, following 4 years as General Manager – Development Program & Chief Operations Officer with the PNG Sustainable Development Program and 15 years with the large conglomerate, WR Carpenter Group. She holds degrees in Bachelor of Arts & Diploma of Sports Management and is a registered CPA. Currently she sits on the Institute of National affairs, Business Council of PNG and the Rural Industries Council. She has been the Treasurer of the PNG Olympic Committee since 2004.
She was a member of the PNG2015 Pacific Games Bid and has led Team PNG to the Commonwealth & Pacific Games, as Chef de Mission, in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011.
Mahesh Patel – Games Operations
Mr. Mahesh Patel, OBE is the Managing Director of the City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) group of companies, one of Papua New Guinea’s leading icons. He is the founding shareholder of CPL (1986), starting out as a pharmacy chain. Acquisitions include Stop & Shop supermarket chain in Port Moresby in 2005 and the Hardware Haus chain including the Kit Homes business in 2009. Recent business expansion includes Bon Cafe and Paradise Cinemas in Port Moresby. CPL Group is a listed company on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange since 2002 and is a leading retail / wholesale organisation in the country. Today, the group employs over 2000 people nationwide. Mahesh is an avid supporter and sponsor of rugby, soccer and netball in the country. He is well known for his charity and community involvement and served as Chairman of the Red Cross PNG fund raising committee from the late 80’s to early 90’s.He was an active member of PNG Cancer Relief Society and the POM General Hospital Improvement Committee. He is also the Chairman of Telikom PNG Limited. In recognition of his many community engagements Mr Patel was awarded the OBE by the government. He launched Pride of PNG Awards for women which are now in their 4th year. He is also a strong advocate of the “violence against women” campaign declaring CPL premises as “Meri Seif Place” which is the first company in the country to do so. He recently launched a pilot program in the Highlands region for commercial farming of fruit and vegetables for export and production of hand‐ made paper, creating an industry for remote villages and aiming to encourage environmental sustainability in Papua New Guinea, the Australian States of Victoria and Western Australia and in England & Wales.
Ester Igo -Branding & Marketing
Ms Esther Igo is the Director and Principal Consultant for Esee Consult Ltd. She has over 17 years of experience in senior management roles in Multi International Organisations. She is a board member of ICRAF, the Chairperson for the Radio Maria Board and is accredited to the Global Project Management Principles of Prince2 project methodology. She worked with British American Tobacco from 1998 – 2008 and held various roles as Group Brand Manager, Secondary Supply Chain Manager, National Supply Chain Manager and Project Manager covering Australia and New Zealand. She then moved to Goodman Fielder International (PNG) and worked there as the Marketing Manager from 2008 – Sept 2011. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Bath University, UK and a Bachelor of Commerce in Management and Diploma in Commerce from the PNG. University of Technology. She is responsible for Branding and Marketing.
Mary Johns -Commercial Services
Ms. Mary Johns is currently the Company Secretary of Bank South Pacific Limited. She commenced work there in 2002 as a legal officer and has worked her way up. She is a lawyer by profession and currently sits on various boards in Port Moresby. Prior o her career at BSP, she worked with Thilwall Aisi & Kori Lawyers from 1996 to 2001 until the Firms merged into Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers. With her experience in Commercial litigation, she will be responsible for Commercial Services.
Naraai Banam -Ceremonies & Events
Ms. Naraai Banam is co-owner/founder of Blue 7 Team Events & Event Productions. Her experience includes her previous work as General Sales Manager for FM Central and FM Morobe and PNGFM Ltd and Manager for Total Event Company, the first event services company in PNG. She was engaged by BAT from 2007 – 2011 to set up their national conferences. In 2012 she was engaged by Westpac to organise the 100 year Anniversary event. She grew the two radio companies within its first year of inception. She was recently engaged by PNGSFOC to coordinate the PNG Cultural Performance at the Noumea Games at the closing ceremony during the handing over ceremony. She is responsible for Ceremonies & Cultural Events.
Andrew Minogue – PGC Representative
Mr. Andrew Minogue has been Executive Director of the Pacific Games Council since 2008. He comes with a wealth of experience and the right credentials having worked for two years with the Sydney Olympics in 2000, four years for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 and assisted the Samoan Olympic Committee host the 2007 Pacific Games.