Farewell to PIPSO CEO Mereia

The Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) bid farewell to Mereia Volavola as her last week as PIPSO Chief Executive Officer came to an end on Friday 5th August 2017.
Ms. Volavola was appointed the CEO of PIPSO in 2010 and has played an important role advocating and lobbying support for the private sector in Fiji and the Pacific region to the World over the past seven years.
Championing the roles and potential of Women and young people in the region has been a passion for Ms.  Volavola, with a large part of the PIPSO work focused on encouraging Women and Youth Entrepreneurs.
In announcing her resignation at the PIPSO AGM in July, Ms.  Volavola said that it was a privilege to have worked alongside so many talented individuals who shared the same commitment and drive for private sector development. She thanked the members of the Board for their support over the years as well as her Staff. Ms.  Volavola said that she was fortunate to have had a young team in place this year and welcomes their innovation and enthusiasm in supporting the private sector in the Pacific.
“Although experience is important, we must also make way for these young people, to bring in new ideas and a fresh outlook to the region. I am satisfied that this young team have the necessary skills and commitment to help the private sector in the Pacific flourish” she said.
“In the same way, we must also encourage young people to change their mindsets. We must help empower young people through capacity building, mentoring and support that they can be job creators instead of job seekers. Young people have the innovation, the energy and most importantly the enthusiasm to drive new ideas. With the right support, young people can set up their own businesses and be their own bosses”, Ms.  Volavola added.
PIPSO Chairperson Howard Politini thanked Ms. Volavola for her tireless efforts and commitment to PIPSO and the private sector in the Pacific.
When addressing the AGM, Mr. Politini said “PIPSO has grown under Mereia’s guidance, and for that we are thankful. It has been a pleasure to work alongside her and her commitment has been absolutely inspiring, on behalf of the Board and the PIPSO members, we wish her well in her future endeavors”.
Ms.  Alisi Tuqa, Team Leader for the CTA IFAD Project within PIPSO will serve as the Acting CEO.
For more news, events and stories from around the Pacific, visit pipso.org.fj.
 
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(Source: Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation [PIPSO] August Updates 2017)