Leaupepe Ta'ala
Ralph Elika
BA/LLB, MInstD
Director
I have a passion for people and through my foreign affairs work with the Pacific Cooperation Foundation and personal invitations to global leadership summits, I have developed and maintained a strong network in both the public and private sectors in NZ, the Pacific and Asia around economic development. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with various leaders all around the world from group CEOs and Prime Ministers to international ambassadors and Royalty. I have established these various relationships at different levels and have learnt to manage these relationships for the benefit of the work I have done.
Previously I worked as a solicitor for a boutique commercial law firm in the Auckland CBD and later did prosecution work for the IRD. I built a sports management business for 5 years working with international sporting bodies and grassroots community groups. I am an innovative and transformational leader who can quickly assess issues and create immediate and sustainable solutions for different clients and organisations customised for their specific sectors and industries.
Significant Distinctions in Leadership
2019
Facilitated a round table discussion with a cross section of Pacific Leaders and the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (May)
2019-current
Rotary, District 9920 (New Market)
2017-2019
Chair, Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, Auckland Council
2014-2018
Chair Pacific Island Scholars Alumni Network, NZ
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
2015-2018
Fellow Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)
2016
NZ Delegate, Inaugural Emerging Leaders Dialogue Asia (ELDA) in Malaysia (Johor Study Tour)
Lead Facilitator: Roundtable discussion with the
Pacific Parliamentarians Forum NZ
2015- 2017
Lead Speaker PwC Movers and Shakers
Senior Leadership Programme
2014
NZ Delegate Pacific Leadership Foundation (PLF) Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue. Established under the auspices of Commonwealth Study Conferences Australia, (PNG Study Tour)
Current Trusteeships
•Board Member; Association of Emerging Leaders Dialogues International; AELD
• Chair Board of Trustees, Liston College
•Board Member Commonwealth Study Conferences (CSC) NZ Charitable Trust
Sara-Jane Elika
BA(hons),BA/LLB
MInstD
Director
I am an admitted Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand and a strategic management consultant with a background in media, creative enterprise, education. For over 20 years my passion for contemporary Pacific music has gained national and international recognition including published
academia in ethnomusicology.
As an independent director in governance, my key strengths include leadership analysis, stakeholder engagement, employment relations, policy and cultural intelligence. I enjoy working with people and being a part of organisations that seek to advance the socio economic standing of individuals and their communities. I think strategically and through innovation apply best practice to enhance positive relationships and create engaging solutions.
Key Note Engagements
2019: Workforce Inclusion & Diversity Conference,
Auckland: Aventedge, “Courage in Leadership”
2019: Women in Leadership Summit, Wellington:
Aventedge “Entrepreneurs Fireside Chat: Creative,
Courageous & Collaborative Leadership”
Panel Lead: “Being a game changer in the
organisation”
2019: NZ Universities Women in Leadership:
“Fireside chat, Senior professionals in the tertiary
sector”
2019: ATEED & MFAT Pacific Connections: Debate Host
“Pacific Heads of Missions v Pasifika Youth”
Significant Distinctions in Leadership
2020:
Global Women, Breakthrough Leaders Programme
2019-current
Interim CEO, Pacific Media Network
Rotary, District 9920 (New Market)
2018-2019
Judge, NFP Leader
Governance New Zealand
2006-2019
Judge, NZ Pacific Music Awards
2018
Scholarship recipient, Leadership NZ
2017
Winner, Emerging Leader Award,
Governance New Zealand
2012
'Marking Their Mark', Leadership Award:
St Cuthbert’s College- Old Girls Collegian
2005
Winner, ‘Best Pacific Female Artist’
New Zealand Pacific Music Award
2003
Winner, Best Pacific Album
New Zealand Music ‘Tui’ Award
Current Trusteeships
-
Chair: Community Law, South Auckland, (Manukau and Franklin area)
-
Director: Good Shepherd NZ
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Chair: Failoa Famili Trust