Board of Directors
October 4, 2022
Ms. Mereseini Baleilevuka (Chairperson)

Ms. Baleilevuka is a seasoned educator, business leader, and community advocate with over four decades of experience in education and leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language, Literature, and Education from the University of the South Pacific and began her career as a teacher before rising to become Principal and Chief Operations Officer at Freebird Institute Ltd.
Ms. Mereseini is the Founding Principal of Namaka Public Freebird Institute and has served in various leadership roles including at Ba Provincial Freebird Institute. Her expertise spans educational leadership, youth development, and entrepreneurship. She currently serves as a board member and Secretary of the Fiji Indigenous Business Council and has been a long-serving board member for FRIEND Fiji.
A passionate advocate for women, youth, and faith-based initiatives, she is a certified Christian Worker and Evangelism Trainer. Her dedication to service, education, and community empowerment continues to positively impact lives across Fiji.
Ms. Elizabeth Algar (Deputy Chairperson)

Ms Elizabeth Algar has proven value as a strategic advisor with multidisciplinary groups, a visionary and servant leader with over 15 years combined senior executive experience in corporate services, strategic management, MSME coaching & mentoring, education, aviation and human resources development. Her current corporate services portfolio includes managing strategic, finance, HR development & recruitment, asset, general administration, and property management. As a consultant, Elizabeth has completed projects for Palladium, Cardno, IUCN, iTaukei Affairs Board, RFMF and the Ministry of Education to name a few.
She holds a Masters in Business Administration from USP and is also an Australian qualified trainer and chef. Elizabeth previously worked at International Red Cross, Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC), and Fiji Airways. Her board memberships have included Chairperson for Nasinu & Nausori Town Councils. Ms. Elizabeth inspires to be a role model to aspiring women leaders who like her will step out in faith and be an amazing leader in her spheres of influence.
Mr. Shiu Raj

Mr. Raj, aged 54, is based in Nadi, operating as an independent consultant and adviser, working in areas relating to business development, planning, trade, investment, capacity building and reforms. His portfolio of clients covers private sector operators, and regional and non-government organisations in supporting growth for targeted impactful results.
Early in his career, he worked as a civil servant with the Bureau of Statistics and later joined the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau where he also served as the Secretary to the Board. He has worked as a Director and Trade Adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and was appointed the Pacific Islands Representative to the ACP Group of States and the European Union (EU), based in Brussels, Belgium to assist with the negotiation of the now ‘Samoa Agreement’.
Mr Raj has a multi-disciplinary qualification from Canada, Fiji and France – a Masters in development economics, with first degrees in economics, management and information systems.
Ms. Elizabeth Naevo

Ms. Naevo is a community leader, event specialist, and development advocate with over 20 years of experience in tourism, events, design, and grassroots initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Spatial Design from Auckland University of Technology, a Trade Certificate in Graphic Design (distinction), and is pursuing a Professional Diploma in Business Management at USP.
Ms. Elizabeth has worked with leading hotel brands such as Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriott, and played a key role in managing large-scale events, including the 2019 ADB Annual Meeting in Fiji. Her expertise spans logistics, revenue generation, and stakeholder engagement.
Beyond her professional work, she is deeply involved in community empowerment. She leads women’s farming initiatives, youth sports programs, and cultural revival projects in Nawaka and Solovi. She also co-founded the Eteni Rukunirara Youth Rugby Club.
Her passion for service, leadership, and community development brings valuable insight and dedication to the Board.
Ms Anabel Ali

Ms. Ali is a financial and governance professional with over 15 years of experience. She currently serves as the Group Financial Controller for Fiji Fish Marketing Group and its entities. A Certified Practicing Accountant Australia (CPA) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Anabel holds an MBA and a BA in Accounting and Public Administration from the University of the South Pacific.
Passionate about community development, Anabel chairs the Board of Habitat for Humanity Fiji and is a Trustee and Board member of WOWs (Kids) Fiji. She has held numerous board roles across public and non-profit sectors and was honored with the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award as a Community Champion. Ms. Anabel is a Leadership Fiji alumni and a committed advocate for streamlined governance in both the private and public sectors.
Mr. Amitesh Deo

Mr. Deo is the Founder and Director of the Pacific Recycling Foundation and Director & CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd, with over 20 years of experience in business management, sustainability, and community advocacy. Educated in Business Administration at Cambridge International College, he holds multiple international diplomas in accounting and business.
Mr. Deo is the Founder and Director of the Pacific Recycling Foundation and Director & CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd, with over 20 years of experience in business management, sustainability, and community advocacy. Educated in Business Administration at Cambridge International College, he holds multiple international diplomas in accounting and business.
He has led transformative recycling initiatives across Fiji and the Pacific, including the “I Recycle Hub” and “Recycling on the Go” programs. He has provided regional mentorship in Tonga, Vanuatu, and the Cook Islands and serves as Secretariat for the Pacific Recyclers Alliance.
His past roles include Operations Manager at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, where he now serves on the Board of Trustees. A published author, his novella “Amma…a frail wooden door” gained national recognition in 2012.
Mr. Amitesh is committed to inclusive environmental solutions, youth empowerment, and social justice, making him a respected leader in both the environmental and community development sectors.
Ms. Mereoni Rakatia

Ms. Rakatia is a seasoned professional with a background in commerce, public administration, and community leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of the South Pacific and is completing a second degree in Law. Her training spans accident investigation, OHS, ERP systems, and web design.
She served as Board Secretary for the iTaukei Affairs Board (2016–2019), focusing on change management. She has worked as a consultant with the Native Land Commission, TLTB, and Mineral Resource Department, and contributed to hotel risk management with Vesi Security.
Her deep commitment to service is evident in over a decade of voluntary work, including with the Soqosoqo Vakamarama in Naitasiri and Nadroga, water committees in Tikina Tuva and Malomalo, and the St John Association of Fiji in finance and HR.
Ms. Mereoni brings a strong understanding of indigenous governance, policy, and grassroots development—making her a valuable voice for traditional and contemporary leadership.