Elias Kanaris
Elias Kanaris is a globally respected leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and executive advisor dedicated to developing values-driven leaders across government, business, faith, and community sectors. With more than 30 years of experience, he has guided organisations through complexity and change, helping senior leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity, cultural intelligence, and moral courage.
A former President of the Global Speakers Federation—representing 6,000 leaders in over 20 countries—Elias brings deep international governance experience and a collaborative, Pacific-aligned leadership ethos. He is the CEO of The Insight & Strategy Group and creator of the Presidential Think Tank’s Leadership Compass, a transformational development course that equips leaders with practical tools for influence, resilience, and high-trust decision-making.
Elias is also the author of Leading From The Stop and a Certified Maxwell Leadership Coach, known for turning lived experience—including his leadership response during the 9/11 shutdown in Gander—into compelling lessons that inspire action.
Elias is honoured to contribute to the Pacific Legacy Leadership Foundation’s mission of strengthening ethical, culturally grounded leadership across the Blue Pacific.
Area of Expertise: Developing values-driven leaders across government, business, faith, and community sectors.
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Tina Vaka is an accomplished Managing Director with a career spanning more than 25 years across higher education, organisational leadership, communications, and business management. Holding qualifications including a BA, MA, MBA, Dip TESL, and Dip JPN, she has built a diverse and impactful professional portfolio grounded in strategic leadership and cross cultural expertise.
A happy, healthy, wealthy coach, speaker & writer living an abundant life and inspiring others to live a life of growth and excellence. Married to Apenisa Saukuru with four inheritances Keona, Leilani, Ebenezer and Yechezkel. A visionary, strategist, workshop facilitator, influencer in personal development plans, sport governance and organisational strategy. Former Fijian national athlete, youth coach and sport leader in the Olympic movement with combined total of close to 4 decades.
I am a daughter of Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu, Lau in Fiji and a proud nau (mother) to my 18-year-old son, Tegumailagi. I describe myself as a social development practitioner with over 25 years of experience in the Pacific working with Pacific Governments and Civil Society Organizations. I have formal post graduate qualifications in sociology and governance from the region’s University of the South Pacific.
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