Samoan woman secures top role

25 June 2016, 12:00AM

A former St. Mary’s student who hails from Sa’asa’ai, Gataivai Palauli and Faleata will soon head the ANZ Bank in American Samoa.

It follows the announcement by the ANZ Bank yesterday that it has appointed Joanne Rasmussen as the Country Manager American Samoa, reporting to C.E.O American Territories, John Wade. 

Ms. Rasmussen will transition to Pago Pago to take up the role over the next month from her current role of Chief Operating Officer ANZ Samoa based in Apia. 

Mathew Fisher, C.E.O for ANZ Samoa, said he is thrilled to see a local Samoan being appointed to a senior Pacific leadership role. 

 “Joanne has worked in Samoa for 11 years and has been on our talent programme and has worked in many different areas of the Bank,” he said. 

“ANZ Samoa is very proud of her achievements and she will be missed by our team.

 “ANZ is very focused on promoting our local talent and we now have a number of Samoan’s working in senior leadership roles across the Pacific.”

Joanne is the daughter of Max and Lofi Rasmussen. She is married to Darren McNeely and they have three daughters; Luafalealii, Sinalei and Leehana. 

She is from the villages of Sa’asa’ai, Gataivai Palauli and Faleata and completed all her primary and secondary education at St. Mary’s School Savalalo and Vaimoso.  She went on to complete her undergrad and postgrad qualifications in New Zealand and Australia.

25 June 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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