Dr Albert Mellam is a distinguished academic and corporate leader with extensive experience in academia, executive management and governance. He is a part-time academic at the University of Papua New Guinea’s (UPNG) School of Business and Public Policy, supervising and lecturing in strategy, corporate leadership and corporate governance.
Previously, he served as the 11th Vice Chancellor of UPNG and held key academic roles, including Founding Executive Dean of the School of Business and Public Policy. He has also been the Chair of Credit Corporation and the first Papua New Guinean Executive Director of the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (now Chamber of Resources and Energy).
Dr Mellam has held board positions in major public and private sector organisations such as Nambawan Super Limited, Brian Bell Group, Investment Promotion Authority and Kumul Consolidated Holdings. Additionally, he has served in advisory roles for the PNG government and international academic bodies like the Association of Asia Pacific Business Schools.
Academically, he holds a PhD in Psychology from the Australian National University, a Master of Science from the University of Stirling (UK), and a Graduate Diploma in Knowledge Economy from Singapore Management University. His research focuses on management, business strategy and the hydrocarbon and mineral industries, with publications in reputable journals and co-authored books.
Dr Mellam is an active member of several global professional organisations, including the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Global and Oceania Development Network, Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools and the Commonwealth of Nations Open Universities.
Secretary Koney Samuel started with the Department of National Planning Office in 1999, straight after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Papua New Guinea. He then went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Development Studies, both from the Australian National University.
Having worked with the Department for more than 20 years, Secretary Samuel has valuable organisational knowledge. He started as a Junior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, moving on to serve in various capacities, including Assistant Secretary Economic Sector, Assistant Secretary Multilateral Branch – Foreign Aid Division, First Assistant Secretary – Monitoring Evaluation Division, and Deputy Secretary – Public Investment Program.
Dr Cate Rogers is Minister-Counsellor, Economic, Health and Infrastructure at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
Cate has over 20 years’ experience working in development, economics and foreign policy, spanning Asia and the Pacific and multilateral engagement. Most recently, this has included leading work on Australia’s international climate finance and integrating climate into the development program.
Cate holds a PhD in economics from the Australian National University, with a research focus on Papua New Guinea.
Roppe Uyassi is a certified practicing accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business (economics with a co-major in finance) from the Queensland University of Technology. He joined Kina Securities Ltd in November 2023 as the Kina Bank PNG CEO. Prior to joining Kina, Roppe was the Papua New Guinea Country Manager for Twinza Oil Ltd and the lead negotiator in the Pasca A Gas Agreement negotiations.
Prior to this, Roppe spent 6 years with Deloitte where he was a key member of the South Pacific corporate finance team. He has held a previous board position First Investment Finance Ltd, for which he also chaired the board audit and risk committee. Roppe is an experienced commercial manager who also brings experience in the oil and energy industry as well as in corporate finance advisory. A strong leader, Roppe has undertaken numerous strategic reviews, financial analyses, cost of capital analyses, financial modelling and mergers and acquisitions.
Dr Cecilia Nembou retired from her 43-year academic at the end of 2020. Prior to retirement she had been the President and Vice Chancellor of the Divine Word University from 2016 to 2020. Dr Nembou is a mathematician and holds a PhD in Operations Research from Australia’s University of New South Wales.
She has held various academic and senior management positions, including at the: University of Papua New Guinea (Acting Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor – Planning and Development, Executive Dean – School of Natural and Physical Sciences, Head of Mathematics Department, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics); Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (Research Officer and Computer Programmer); University of Wollongong in Dubai (Academic Registrar and Assistant Professor); Divine Word University (President, Vice President, and Professor of Higher Education). In retirement, she holds the position of Adjunct Professor in Management at the Faculty of Business and Informatics, Divine Word University.
Dr Nembou has served on various university committees and councils and on the boards of sate-owned enterprises and commercial and non-government organisations. In 2011, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors awarded her Female Director of Year. In 2020, the Government of Papua New Guinea recognised her services to higher education with an OBE. Currently, Dr Nembou is an independent member of the Board of BSP Life Insurance Limited and the sole Owner-Director of Nembou Consulting Services Limited.
Sisa Kini is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. She began her career with Chevron Nuigini, where she helped establish the CDI Foundation Trust Fund—the first non-profit foundation in Papua New Guinea by the oil and gas industry dedicated to sustainable development in partnership with the government.
As the former National Content Manager for the PNGLNG Project at ExxonMobil PNG, Sisa played a pivotal role in community development, workforce growth and local business advancement, impacting the lives of women, youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. She currently serves as the Community Development Manager at TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited, where she continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills. Throughout her career, Sisa has held various board roles in both private and public organisations, contributing to a legacy of developing local talent and leadership, especially for women.
Robert Guba Aisi is a distinguished Papua New Guinean diplomat, legal expert, and advocate for sustainable development and international cooperation. He notably served as Papua New Guinea’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, presenting his credentials to the UN Secretary-General.
During his tenure, he represented Papua New Guinea on critical global issues, including climate change, decolonisation and regional security.
Mr Aisi is an alumnus of The Armidale School in New South Wales, Australia. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Papua New Guinea and was admitted to practice law in both the National and Supreme Courts of Papua New Guinea.
Mr Aisi’s legal career includes several key leadership roles in the Papua New Guinean public service and internationally, including his international legal experience service with the Executive Branch (Legal Affairs) of UNESCO. Before his UN appointment, Mr Aisi was a Councillor at Papua New Guinea’s Legal Training Institute, playing a pivotal role in shaping legal education and training.
In addition to his diplomatic career, Mr Aisi holds several notable positions in the business and international community. He served as Honorary Consul of Papua New Guinea to South Africa, is President of the Business Council of Papua New Guinea, and is an active member of the Australia–Papua New Guinea Business Council.
Mr Aisi’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to public service, legal integrity and international diplomacy.
The Board is made up of one staging member respectively from the Government of Papua New Guinea Department of National Planning and Monitoring, the Australian High Commission and the Incentive Fund managing contractor, and 5 independent Papua New Guinean members.
The Boards meets quarterly and performs the following functions.
| Meeting | Indicative cut-off date for partner organisation submissions | Indicative Operational Management Group meeting | Indicative Board meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday 24 January 2025 | Thursday 20 February 2025 | Thursday 20 March 2025 |
| 2 | Friday 23 May 2025 | Thursday 19 June 2025 | Thursday 17 July 2025 |
| 3 | Friday 27 September 2025 | Thursday 23 October 2025 | Thursday 20 November 2025 |
