Staff
Caroline Alick, Administrative Assistant
Caroline Alick has well over 10 years of experience in clerical and administrative work. She attends to administrative and office support tasks for the multiple projects we are undertaking.
Frida Bani-Sam, Communication & Network Liaison Officer
Frida initially joined PiPP under the research internship programme. She continues to support the ongoing development of communication activities and maintaining our website. Outside PiPP, she is deputy-chair of the board of Youth Challenge Vanuatu.
Ellen Bitalau, Executive Assistant
Ellen joined PiPP in July 2008 bringing a rich history of experience working in both Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands that included the Equity Investment Group Ltd, Vanuatu National Statistics Office, the Vanuatu Sustainable Forest Utilization Project, Solomon Airlines and the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education.
Ben Bohane, Chief Editor
Ben is a photojournalist and television producer with over 20 years experience in the Pacific. He has worked for many of the world’s major news organisations and joined PiPP as Communications Director. He has a Masters Degree in Melanesian religion and conflict. More background on Ben can be found via www.wakaphotos.com
Jennifer Bowtell, Research Officer/Events Coordinator
Jen joined PiPP as a research associate in 2013 after working in grassroots community development in Vanuatu for several years. She completed her bachelor of International Studies at RMIT University in 2011.
Derek Brien, Executive Director
Derek is co-founder and executive director of PiPP and also serves as an adviser to the government of Timor-Leste and the g7+ on the post-2015 development agenda. Born in Ireland, he grew up in Australia and has called Vanuatu home for the best part of the last decade.
Mary Jack Kaviamu, Project Officer
Mary joined PiPP in 2010 to implement a programme of political stakeholder engagement in Vanuatu. She has over ten years experience working with provincial government, which included a period as acting secretary general of the Tafea Provincial Government Council.
Linda Kenni, Project Officer
Linda has extensive experience in research work and joined PiPP in 2010 after stints with UNICEF and World Vision. She’s been involved in civic education and is currently working on the Melanesian School Debate Competition. Linda has a Bachelor of Arts Degree on Social Work from the University of Papua New Guinea.
Dan McGarry, Chief Technologist
Dan has been working in the Pacific for over a decade now, assisting in numerous capacities in the development of ICTs in Vanuatu and the Pacific. He has extensive experience in technology policy formulation and implementation as well as in traditional and new media. He still writes software.
Dulciana Somare-Brash, Deputy Executive Director
Dulciana holds Bachelor Degrees in political science & international relations and law from James Cook University, Australia. Her experience in politics and development ranges from employment with ABC/Radio Australia in Port Moresby, and later as Senior Research Officer at the Australian High Commission there.