Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme 2025 mentees
Congratulations to our 2025 mentees
Akerei Maresala-Thomson
Being selected for the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is a privilege. This opportunity represents a chance to build skills, strengthen networks, and contribute to the advancement of Pasifika governance. I am eager to engage, learn, and grow alongside fellow leaders while continuing to uplift our communities through strategic and impactful initiatives.
Ala Pomelile
As a young Pasifika professional with a strong desire to develop my governance skills, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Tautua Mentoring Programme. While I am in the early stages of my governance journey, I recognise the immense value of mentorship in drawing invaluable insights from the wisdom and experiences of others, fostering both personal and professional growth. I am excited about the opportunity to be challenged, expand my horizons, and refine and grow my governance toolkit, ultimately enabling me to contribute more effectively, wisely, and meaningfully in governance roles within organisations and communities.
Ana Ika
I’m truly grateful to be selected for the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. I’ve never had governance aspirations, and I think that’s common for many young Pasifika, as we often focus on putting our heads down and getting the work done for our communities. However, after reading Mission Drift by Chris Horst and Peter Greer, my perspective shifted. I realised the crucial role governance plays in shaping the impact we have on both our organisations and communities. I’m excited for the opportunity to learn, grow, and work with a mentor who can guide me as I build my confidence and capacity in governance.
Chris Laufale
Selection for IoD's 2025 Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme is an honour that will enable me to broaden, develop and enhance my governance capabilities with the focus of being able to better serve the organisations, customers, and communities I work with across private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
I am fascinated by the changing environment of organisational, political, and regulatory uncertainty challenges, especially associated with large and complex organisations, particularly in the charitable and public sectors. I look forward to learning from, being guided and challenged by mentors as well as being exposed to diverse thinkers who will challenge me and enable me to learn from their wealth of experience on the basis that I can deliver meaningful value and impact to the board table.
Ioane Afoa
Extremely blessed and grateful to have been selected to participate in the 2025 Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. I welcome the opportunity to be a recipient of the inaugural pilot, to enhance my unique, Pasifika governance value proposition. Learning from highly experienced directors and deepen my knowledge of the governance sector, with a specific focus and contribution of Pasifika governance.
With governance positions, in the non-for-profit and community sectors, moreover, involved in some of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects, I sincerely value the mentorship and expertise from the distinguished group of directors. Enabling exposure to directorship opportunities, refine my leadership and governance judgement and remain intentional with a purpose of giving back to our Pacific and wider communities.
Jillaine Heather
I am honoured and grateful to be accepted into the IoD’s Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. I look forward to both sharing my experience and being guided and challenged by a mentor in order to further develop my governance capability and establish valuable connections across the governance community.
I believe that boards must evolve to reflect the communities they serve, not just in terms of demographic representation, but in their fundamental approach to leadership and decision-making. I hope that my experience in recruitment and people and culture enables me to both participate in and drive this transformation.
Kasey Pasene
I feel very honored and excited to be accepted into the Tautua Mentorship Programme.
I am grateful for the opportunity to absorb knowledge and gain insights from experienced Pasifika mentors who can support and guide me to make sure I can contribute to the governance sector in a way that is meaningful to both me and our Pasifika communities.
Leanne Brighouse
I am extremely honored to be selected for the inaugural Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme in 2025. As a proud Pasifika woman, I am committed to bringing my authentic self into these leadership spaces and learning how to navigate the western landscape of governance. This mentorship presents a valuable opportunity for growth, and I look forward to learning from the experts. I am confident that it will not only strengthen my governance skills but also broaden my perspective on how to create a lasting, positive impact in our communities through effective leadership. I am excited to build meaningful connections and contribute to a network of like-minded leaders who are committed to service and excellence.
Lisa Meto Fox 
I am thrilled to be selected for the inaugural IoD Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme and can't wait to connect with my mentor and fellow mentees. It’s an honor to be part of a new generation of Pacific governors, and I feel deeply grateful to the current generation of Pacific leaders who have worked tirelessly to inspire confidence in our cultural foundations and their role in making us natural governors. Their efforts to create opportunities like this are truly inspiring. I look forward to expanding my governance knowledge and using it to serve my communities.
Natasha Prendergast
I am honoured to be accepted into the 2025 Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. This incredible opportunity allows me to deepen my governance expertise and leadership capabilities while honouring and integrating my Pasifika heritage within Aotearoa's governance landscape. I am eager to learn from experienced mentors and my cohort, refining my ability to articulate change with influence and foster inclusive, strategic decision-making.
This programme aligns closely with my commitment to creating meaningful, lasting impacts within communities and leaving a legacy for future generations. I look forward to a journey of shared growth, cultural exchange, and service-oriented leadership.
Penina Schmidt
I am honoured to be part of the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme for 2025. As a Samoan tama’ita’i with strong roots in my heritage, I am passionate about empowering Pasifika communities and advancing my governance knowledge. This programme offers an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding of leadership across the corporate, public, and community sectors, which will enhance my leadership capabilities.
My commitment to uplifting Māori and Pasifika communities aligns with my desire to contribute to the growth and success of others. I am excited to learn from mentors and peers, and to explore how reciprocity and diverse perspectives can strengthen governance systems.
The guiding principle of "O le ala o le pule o le tautua" deeply resonates with my values, as I believe true leadership comes through service. I look forward to growing alongside like-minded professionals and making meaningful contributions to our collective future. Fa’afetai Lava.
Dr Polu Apollo Taito
Talofa lava, I am honoured and privileged to be accepted in IoD’s inaugural pilot Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. As a Public servant, I am committed to fostering a growth mindset, building networks, and enhancing my ability to serve my family and community. The IoD’s Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme provides a much sought-after opportunity to build on my governance capability, contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand’s governance community, and advocate for Pasifika governance models. This opportunity will not only strengthen my governance leadership but also expand the representation of Pasifika in governance roles, concurrently, making a meaningful impact in both my military, and civil career, and community. Fa’afetai ma ia manuia.
Dr Stephven Kolose
Talofa lava, I am honoured to be selected for the IoD Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. This opportunity is an exciting step in my governance journey as I continue to refine my skills and expand my influence at the board level.
As one of the only Pasifika Ergonomists in the world, I have spent over 16 years as a scientist, researcher, senior and principal consultant, and director. While I serve on various boards and steering committees related to these roles, there are still few Pasifika board members especially in positions that advocate for Pasifika workers in our workplaces.
I see this programme as a chance to learn from a highly experienced and respected mentor who will challenge and support me as I continue to grow in my governance practice. I look forward to building connections with like-minded peers in the cohort and exchanging valuable ideas, insights, and inspiration.
Toleafoa Alfred Schuster
A significant opportunity and honour to be a part of the inaugural Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. Learning never stops, and being a part of the mentoring programme creates new pathways to continue my professional growth and learning from the lived experiences of others and my peers.
I’m excited by the prospect of walking alongside learned mentors. I’m also hopeful in the prospect of deepening my understanding of best practices and approaches in championing Pasifika values, principles and ways of doing, within the governance frameworks of the organisations I become involved in. Vinaka vaka levu for this great opportunity.
Tom Va'afusuaga
Malo le soifua manuia. I am thrilled and thankful to begin this journey with IoD. I look forward to learning and growing in my knowledge and mentorship in good governance. I have a lot to learn, and I believe this programme will enable me to continue to make a positive impact on the people, organisations, and communities I’m connected with. Like all of us, I wear many hats whether it be in the corporate arena, community space, sports scene, village politics and others – but good decision making and great governance is required across all to function well. I’m privileged to be part of Tautua and look forward to the journey ahead. Fa’afetai tele lava.
Traci Sietu
It is with profound gratitude and humility to have been accepted into the Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. This opportunity is a chance to cultivate my commitment to developing my skills and governance experience through the foundational principles of respect, empathy, and service.
The prospect of working alongside an experienced mentor where I can learn, grow, and embrace this experience represents an opportunity to build connections, develop skills, and create lasting change. Through this mentorship, I hope to not only advance my own understanding of governance but to become a catalyst for empowerment to add value across sectors and organisations that I currently serve. "Tautua nei mo se taeao manuia - Serve now for a better tomorrow."
Vaine (Ta'i) Richard
As a proud rainbow tangata ō Te-Moana-Nui-Ō-Kiva hailing from the paradise islands of Aitutaki, Palmerston Island, Atiu and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, I am honoured and delighted to be an inaugural member of IoD’s pilot Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme. My extensive experience in public policy, strategic leadership, as well as community engagement alongside my values of aro’a / love, tā’aka’aka / respect, tā’okota’i’anga / collaboration and tauturu / service underpins my commitment to promoting and empowering Pacific communities. I am a firm believer and practitioner of utilising my skills and experiences to ‘tautua’, to serve and advocate for marginalised groups especially the Pacific rainbow, Pacific youth and our Pacific peoples with a disability communities and others to ensure their voices and perspectives are represented at key decision-making and governance levels. As a lifelong learner, I am looking forward to bringing those skills, experiences and values to the programme while learning and growing alongside my fellow mentees as we work with our respective mentors. Meitaki ma’ata for the opportunity.