Governance
The Pacific-Australia Youth Association (PAYA) is committed to strong, transparent, and accountable governance that enables young people across the Pacific and Australia to lead, collaborate, and create positive change.
Following the PAYA Board Governance Workshop in November 2025, PAYA adopted a refined governance structure designed to strengthen strategic oversight, improve operational effectiveness, and support the organisation's continued growth across the Pacific region.
PAYA is governed by two distinct bodies:
The Board
The Board is elected by members at the Annual General Meeting and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for the Association. The Board oversees PAYA's long-term vision, strategic direction, governance framework, risk management, and organisational sustainability.
The Executive
The Executive is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the Association, including program delivery, stakeholder engagement, administration, communications, and organisational development.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the primary link between the Board and the Executive, ensuring that strategic priorities approved by the Board are effectively implemented across the organisation.
PAYA's Executive leadership structure consists of:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Provides overall leadership of the organisation and is responsible for implementing the strategic direction approved by the Board.
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Oversees organisational operations, governance compliance, administration, people management, and financial management functions.
Chief Programs Officer (CPO)
Leads PAYA's programs, events, initiatives, and flagship activities, including youth leadership and regional engagement programs.
Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
Leads stakeholder engagement, communications, partnerships, government relations, membership engagement, and external relations.
Click the following links to learn about our current Board and Executive.
Responsible governance enables PAYA to achieve its mission and maximise outcomes for youth in the region.
The Pacific Australia Youth Association Inc. is a registered incorporated association within the State of Queensland, per the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. The Association is also an Australian registered body with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (‘ASIC’), allowing us to trade and conduct activities outside of our state of registration. As an incorporated association, we have a current register of all members who receive the annual report and financial report on an annual basis. For any governance questions regarding PAYA Inc, please contact us.