Caption – (Left to right: Jerome Jagena, Lorraine Ponifasio, David Kitchnoge, Presely Semi, Evangeline Taunao)
Nambawan Super is committed to growing the capacity of its team and investing in future leadership from within in the Fund. In addition to emerging leader training programs, the Fund’s succession plan sees current leaders undertake tailored development planning for hand-picked successors. 2020 has been a year of strategic appointments to grow the strength in senior management – with a view to building the next generation Executive Leadership Team.
Mr Jerome Kagena is the Fund’s newest appointment. Mr Kagena from Gavuone village in the Central Province, has taken up the position of Manager Strategy. Mr Kagena brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role from his 14 years with BSP and Masters in Applied Finance with Queensland University of Technology. Since completing his post-graduate studies, Mr Kagena has been working in strategy roles for PNG’s biggest bank. He believes it is an exciting time to be with Nambawan Super with its focus on transformation and business strategy – that ultimately builds the wealth of members across PNG.
Ms Lorraine Ponifasio joined the fund as Marketing Manager in April 2020. Ms Ponifasio, from Milne Bay, brings exceptional academic achievements coupled with varied career experiences gained across private and public PNG organisations. She completed her Master of Communication with the University of Canberra in 2018 and then joined Remington in a commercially focussed marketing leadership role. Ms Ponfasio is excited by the potential of superannuation to transform the ‘quality of life’ of everyday Papua New Guineans into retirement.
Stepping into a newly created position of Deputy Chief Investment Officer Mr David Kitchnoge, from East Sepik and Morobe provinces, is a seasoned investment professional who established his career with more than 10 years with big 4 firm, Deloitte. Over the past 6 years, he has gained diverse experience with some of PNG’s biggest businesses including Head of Research & Advisory with Kina Funds Management, the Licensed Investment Managers for Nambawan Super. As a teacher’s son, Mr Kitchnoge knows what superannuation means for members and said his role in protecting and growing this essential pool of savings for everyday Papua New Guineans is both humbling and satisfying.
In late 2019 the Fund welcomed back Mr Presley Semi to the role of Manager Transformation and Projects. Mr Semi, from New Ireland and Western Highlands provinces, has recently returned from the UK, where he undertook a Master of Science in IT, Management and Organisational Change. He is already applying his post-graduate education to his new Management position and is passionate about building his team of skilled local project managers to drive the Fund’s organisational and digital transformation.
Nambawan Super’s Branch Network is benefiting from the experience of Ms Evangeline Taunao following her appointment as Manager Branch Operations. Ms Taunao, of Central Province, brings more than 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry, most recently working for KPMG overseeing corporate service functions. Ms Taunao admits building the capability in her team and developing future leaders is one of the most satisfying parts of her role.
Read more in our July edition of Nambawan SuperTok newsletter
