.jpg)
Feagaimaalii Sara Jane Elika
Feagaimaalii is a strategic advisor and governance specialist who blends analytical thinking with creative leadership. She leads a team delivering evidence-based strategy, innovative engagement, and MERL evaluation services across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
An admitted Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand, Feagaimaalii brings legal expertise and commercial insight to her work, with a career spanning business, international media, and the arts. Her governance experience includes ministerial government appointments, philanthropy, professional sport and national investment boards.
Named a University of Auckland, NZ 40 Under 40 Business Leader, she is also an alumna of Leadership NZ, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference. Her Samoan Matai (Chief) title 'Feagaimaalii' is from her fathers village in Tia'vea, Aleipata. Wife and mother to 4 children, she understands the importance of the Vā and relationships with our unique Pacific cultures.
Area of Expertise: Strategy, Economic Development, Indigenous leadership, Engagement
Favorite Quote:
“E lele le toloa ae ma’au i le auvai” - The toloa bird flies all over but always returns to the water. The toloa bird is a symbol of resilience, determination, and connection to one's roots.
Meet More of Our Dedicated Team Members
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.
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.
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.
Serve With Us
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.
