Christine Finau Nurminen
Christine(Chris) Nurminen has a pioneering spirit and is a Pacific development executive with extensive governance and management experience in the not-for-profit sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is Tongan and the Director of Manava Partners – a consultancy she and her sister co-founded based on seeing the need to support Pacific women to lead. Using her MA(Hons) in Education, Chris has served as a CEO for a Crown-appointed charity, served as Chair on various charitable Boards and she now consults Pacific organizations to support strategy, funding and professional development. Chris values partnerships and the interface between Pacific and Māori women in protecting Pacific languages and cultural identities. She is married with two young children and is a published children’s book author.
Area of Expertise: Pacific women, indigenous knowledge, education, governance.
Website: www.manavapartners.co.nz
Favorite Quote:
“Take care of our children. Take care of what is ahead of us”
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Fononga Vainga Mangisi‑Mafileo is a Pacificleadership expert and Senior Advisor on Ocean Governance with nearly 20 yearsof national and regional experience. She has been at the forefront of Tonga’socean governance reforms, including drafting the Tonga National Ocean Policy andguiding the passage of the Ocean Management Act 2025, which establishesenduring governance arrangements, statutory institutions, Marine SpatialPlanning, and mechanisms for sustainable financing. These reforms provide areplicable model for integrated governance and long‑term resource stewardship.
Sala Tuinabua, a Leadership & Management Specialist, empowers emerging leaders, guides seasoned professionals, and champions intentional leadership in the marketplace. She is passionate about equipping and training leaders to reach their full potential. Author of Jewels in the Crown. Sala is from Fiji and has lived in the USA, Fiji and currently resides in Auckland, NZ.
Tiani Tohi is passionate about training and grooming positive and influential leaders in children and youth thus building stronger families. Tiani was instrumental in organizing the Tonga 2023 Legacy Leadership Symposium and the Kingdom's first Family Conference in Oct 2024. She currently serves as CEF Chairman Children Evangelism Fellowship (Tonga) and Board Member of Aglow International Tonga.
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We welcome individuals who want to uplift communities and contribute to meaningful leadership work. Join our team and help shape a brighter future for the Pacific.
