Executive
Our volunteer Executive team oversees the implementation of PAYA’s events, activities and initiatives. The team reports directly to the Board of Directors through the Co-Chief Executive Officers. Learn more below about these talented individuals from across the Pacific-Australia region with various backgrounds and expertise. You can click on their photo to connect on LinkedIn too!
Phillie Julai Marai - Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO)
Phillie is the Co-CEO of PAYA, stepping into the role in January 2024.
She is from East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea and graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in PNG Studies and International Relations at Divine Word University (DWU). Phillie is an alumni of the Young Pacific Leaders program.
In 2021 Phillie was elected as the DWU Student Representative Council (SRC) president. She made history for DWU by signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of DWU to create new partnerships for students.
Phillie is currently employed with Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation as the National Coordinator for the Senisim PNG program, a Leadership Nation Transformational movement in partnership with John Maxwell Leadership Foundation.
Dominic de Moura McCarthy - Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO)
Dominic is the Co-CEO of PAYA and co-founded the organisation in 2020.
He previously interned in policy and public diplomacy at the Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa. Dominic has studied on exchange three times in the Pacific to New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
He has interned with the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) based in Fiji and the PNG Rural Development Inc (PNGRDI). Dominic was also a delegate at the Young Pacific Leaders TechCamp in New Zealand and Project Lead and Director for the Mini TechCamp in Wallis and Futuna.
He is passionate about the Blue Pacific region including international relations, cross-cultural collaboration, business development, trade and diplomacy.
Josiah W Neal - Chief Operating Officer
Josiah is the Chief Operating Officer of PAYA Inc. Born in Toowoomba, he first joined the PAYA family in 2022 as Manager of Operations. The Operations portfolio serves to allow the rest of the team to maximise their potential and facilitate PAYA’s initiatives including the Youth Leadership Summits 2022 and 2023. This includes work across strategy and governance, risk and legal, asset management, and human resource management. Josiah also served as the Company Secretary from July 2022 to January 2024.
Josiah recently graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and International Relations from Bond University in Australia. Josiah completed his studies as a Study Abroad student at The University of the South Pacific Emalus under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program. He undertook an internship at the Pacific Fusion Centre whilst pursuing language training in Bislama, the national pidgin language of Vanuatu. He has a deep passion for the Pacific and the critical, yet under-appreciated role of island nations and their populations in international affairs. Josiah is now based in Canberra and works for the Australian Government.
May Manna Wanya - Chief Events Officer
May is from East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea and has been practising pharmacy for over four years since graduating from the University of Papua New Guinea. May has also spent one-year doing community work for World Vision PNG’s TB Project in the National Capital District.
She served on the organising committee for two national events, the PNG Pharmaceutical Society’s 7th Biennial Scientific Conference in 2022 and the PNG Assemblies of God National Youth Conference in 2022. May was PAYA’s Regional Coordinator for Melanesia in 2023 and attended PAYA’s Youth Leadership Summit in Nuku’alofa as a team member.
May is a member of the PNG Pharmaceutical Society and the PNG Digital ICT cluster. She is passionate about merging technology and health, especially medical research, and is motivated by the empowerment of youth leadership in fostering positive impacts in their communities.
She believes that the Pacific region has a strong sense of community. Through PAYA’s platform, she wants to build on these strengths to make a sustainable impact for fostering greater cultural awareness and development and addressing challenges among the youth of our countries.
Lafaele Mahe Veukiso - Chief Engagement Officer
Lafaele is a first-generation born Tongan from Sydney, Australia. After graduating High School in 2020, Lafaele went on to study for a Bachelor of Law at the Australian Catholic University. In 2021, he was nominated as a co-director of the Mackillop Law Students Society. He maintains this position still today.
In 2022, he was able to represent Twinnies Brand, the first Tongan author-publication entity during HRH Angelika Tuku'aho's royal book tour. Lafaele also attended the Inaugural PAYA Youth Leadership Summit held in New Caledonia as a Youth Delegate.
Throughout 2023, Lafaele was the Summit Coordinator for PAYA’s Youth Leadership Summit in Nuku’alofa, the Kingdom of Tonga. He successfully led the implementation of the Summit by gathering support from local stakeholders, community and church leaders, village chiefs, government and international partners.
Ankemwi Jason Garoa - Chief Communications Officer
Ankemwi is a young Nauruan with a great passion for history, culture, linguistics and international affairs. He has actively participated in cultural and political youth organisations in Nauru with a focus on youth empowerment.
He has previously worked as a Foreign Service Officer at Nauru’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and a Clerical Procurement Officer at Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation. Ankemwi is currently an Administrative Assistant and Government Reporter at the Government Information Office where he releases news updates on government legislation and reports on polling results.
Ankemwi was Nauru’s representative at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Summit in the United Kingdom and is currently a Nauru Youth Parliament Member. He previously held the roles of President and Secretary of the Nauru Iruwo Group, Committee Member with the Nauru Language Group and President of the Student Representative Council. Ankemwi was also PAYA’s Regional Coordinator for Micronesia throughout 2023.
Ezekiel Ronald - Chief Financial Officer
Ezekiel Ronald is from PNG and was appointed our Chief Financial Officer in October 2024.