Secretariat

Cathy Alex is a highly accomplished Community Development Professional and a visionary Melanesian leader with over 20 years of extensive experience working within the civil society sector of Papua New Guinea (PNG). 
She currently serves as the Executive Director of Advancing PNG: Women Leaders Network Inc. (APNGWLN), a position she has held with dedication for the past three years. 
As the founding Chairperson of APNGWLN, Cathy has been instrumental in shaping the network from its inception into a prominent, active national entity that drives grassroots change, women’s economic empowerment, and community development across the country. 
A staunch advocate for self-determination, community resilience, and the preservation of "PNG Ways", Cathy’s leadership values are deeply rooted in the National Constitution, focusing on empathy, respect, and equitable development for rural and remote populations. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tropical Agriculture from the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNGUNRE)—formerly known as Vudal University—and is an alumna of the prestigious Global Women in Management (GWIM) program, which she attended in Washington, D.C., in 2012.
Cathy’s profound commitment to sustainable livelihoods and cultural heritage is beautifully reflected in her entrepreneurial and conservation endeavors. 
As the Founder and Director of Hauslain Souvenirs, she leads a thriving social enterprise that creates vital income streams for rural artisans in Hela, Southern Highlands, and Gulf Provinces by buying and selling eco-friendly traditional artifacts and handicrafts, preserving unique cultural skills while championing environmental conservation. 
Furthermore, she contributes her strategic guidance as a board representative for Project Sepik, serves as the volunteer Chairperson for the Piku Biodiversity Network, and has been a vital central liaison officer and cultural advisor since 2007 for international academic researchers conducting archaeological and anthropological studies in the remote Kikori-to-Bosavi region. Through these diverse roles combining NGO governance, institutional capacity building, and sustainable social entrepreneurship, Cathy continues to bring life to the core spirit of the network: "Your dream is my dream."

Miriam Thoa serves as a dedicated and highly capable Finance & Administration Coordinator at the Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network Inc. (APNGWLN), where her role is absolutely crucial to the day-to-day operations of the organization. 
Bringing eight years of robust professional experience to the team, Miriam holds a Diploma in Business (Accounting & Management) graduated in 2017, alongside a Certificate in Budgeting Essentials from the Commonwealth Centre for Audit (CCA). Her professional standing is further underscored by her registration with the Registered Technicians Association (RTA), holding membership number 15418. 
In her current capacity, Miriam masterfully manages all core finance and administrative responsibilities, ensuring seamless operational workflows while providing vital financial assistance and support to both organizational network members and external organizations.

Lisa-Marie Wia is a mission-driven archivist and community leader who currently serves as the Management Assistant for the Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network. 
Holding a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Papua New Guinea, she brings extensive expertise in digital storytelling, cultural diplomacy, and localized translation across English, Tok Pisin, and Enga. Throughout her diverse career, Lisa-Marie has successfully managed high-level administrative operations, coordinated international grant projects for the Pacific Community, and advocated for human rights and Gender-Based Violence prevention as a volunteer caseworker for Magna Carta PNG. Additionally, she is a published author of indigenous histories and a skilled content creator who has built a digital educational platform, Emmalishous PNG, reaching over 50,000 followers dedicated to the preservation of the Enga language.

Kore Tau is the Programs Officer at the Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network Inc. (APNGWLN), bringing over 20 years of diverse professional experience spanning grassroots community leadership, organizational capability building, and environmental science. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Papua New Guinea, supplemented by prestigious international certifications, including the Global Women in Management (GWIM) program in Jakarta and an Australia Awards fellowship in Agribusiness. Having advanced within APNGWLN from a dedicated Volunteer in 2023 to a permanent leadership role, Kore is responsible for driving the network's mission forward with focus on socio-economic empowerment and structural network growth.
Kore actively leads the implementation of the Organisational Capability Enhancing Program, the Members Support Program, and the Pass-through Funding Program. Her track record includes partnering with Bank South Pacific as an assistant facilitator for Financial Literacy projects, alongside directing and evaluating Advanced Tailoring and Sewing Machine Maintenance workshops with lead facilititaors to create sustainable income streams for local women. This impactful work is deeply backed by her prior decade-long career as a Conservation Biologist and EHS Technician, where she managed complex biological research, environmental compliance (ISO 14001/RSPO), and cross-cultural field workshops across Papua New Guinea.

Carole Cholai is an ICT professional, social entrepreneur, and community advocate with over 15 years of experience leveraging technology for sustainable development and gender empowerment. 
As the Data & Communications Coordinator for APNGWLN  spearheads the data strategy and digital communications. 
She plays an essential technical role in managing online grant deployment systems via the SmartyGrants platform for APNGWLN’s Rural Grants, ensuring seamless operational stability and robust reporting frameworks for donor-funded initiatives. Backed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer and Information Science, Carole bridges the gap between complex data systems and local impact, cementing APNGWLN’s presence as PNG’s premier network for advancing women-led organisations and community initiatives.

Sarah Kende is an accomplished community development professional with over 20 years of experience coordinating rural projects across diverse sectors, currently focusing on election observation for women’s political participation and grant management for rural communities with the Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network (APNGWLN) as Projects Coordinator. Throughout her extensive career, she has collaborated with youth groups, faith-based organizations, and NGOs, beginning her journey with the Gulf Provincial Government managing rural agriculture initiatives alongside US Peace Corps Volunteers.

Her background includes impactful work with conservation NGOs, such as the Research & Conservation Foundation (RCF) in Goroka applying the Integrated Conservation and Development (ICAD) approach within the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, as well as roles with the CDI Foundation and the community relations department within the petroleum sector engaging with rural landowners.

Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and Rural Development from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in Lae, Sarah has built robust expertise in community project management, conflict resolution, advocacy, and strategic planning and budgeting.

Elvina Timothy is a dedicated Finance and Administration Assistant at the Advancing Papua New Guinea Women Leaders Network Inc. (APNGWLN), where she has been managing essential workplace operations since May 2025.
She brings a strong foundational background in financial systems and organizational administration, having pursued an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting at Sonoma Adventist College.
Elvina successfully completed her first full year of advanced study in 2022 and her second-year mid-term curriculum in 2023, building a robust theoretical framework in accounting principles and corporate compliance.

Marking a strong transition into her first formal professional role, Elvina’s main focus centres on optimizing day-to-day office workflows, administrative procedures, and internal financial tracking for the network. Her current responsibilities are backed by a structured, four-week practical corporate internship program, which provided hands-on exposure to rigorous workplace governance, document controls, and office management protocols. This combination of focused academic training and active agency support allows her to drive high accuracy and administrative efficiency across APNGWLN’s core programs.

Amos Hisiu holds a Diploma of Business from the IEA College of TAFE and  joined APNGWLN in February 2026 as Finance & Admin (Projects). He has grown up around APNGWLN since its early establishment and now supports the network in his role.

He has demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork abilities through his active involvement in the IEA College of TAFE Student Representative Council (SRC), the Prostate Cancer Mausgras Campaign Project, and the Believe Institute’s 2021 Leadership Program. Amos is outgoing and has a confident personality with strong interpersonal communication skills . He represents the sons, brothers and husbands that support the women leaders of the network