The Cabinet has announced the appointment of Loau Donina Tili Vaa as the new Chief Executive Office of the Ministry of Womens, Community and Social Development.

They have also announced that Lealaisalanoa Frances Debra Brown- Reupena will continue to lead the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, (M.N.R.E.) as Chief Executive Officer for three more years.

From a field of five applicants, the Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday endorsed the selection panel’s recommendation to appoint Loau.

“She brings a wealth of experience in social work and people engagement from her previous employment in Australia and New Zealand,” the Cabinet said in a statement.

“She has a Masters in Social Policy and Public Administration from the University of the South Pacific, (2004) Loau completed a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Language in 1994.

“With her on-the-job experience overseas and on the local front coupled with her academic qualifications, Loau is described by the panel as academically qualified.  Her job experience is diverse and relevant to the work of the Ministry.”

The appointment is for three years.

The position at the ministry became vacant after Dr. Mema Motusaga resigned.

Meanwhile, in approving Lealaisalanoa’s re-appointment, the Cabinet upheld the overwhelming selection panel recommendation at its weekly meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Lealaisalanoa’s public service started in 2006 with M.N.R.E.  And 17 years later she is in her second three-year term in office as Chief Executive.

“As the Ministry’s Assistant C.E.O. - Environment Sector Coordinator for six years, (2014-2020) Lealaisalanoa graduated with a Masters Public Policy and Politics from Deakin University Australia in 2021 complemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of the South Pacific,” the Cabinet said in a statement.