The Trust Board for Oxfam in the Pacific is pleased to appoint Eunice Wotene as Executive Director, Trust Board Chair Freda Kanek Talao announced.
Eunice is an experienced finance and operations director with a demonstrated commitment to international aid, development, and equality for people in the Pacific. Eunice has been acting in the role of Interim Regional Director since March 2022, and first joined Oxfam in Papua New Guinea in 2014.
Ms Kanek Talao said that Eunice’s leadership and deep commitment to the values of Oxfam made her the ideal person to guide the Pacific’s transition.
“After an extensive international search for the right candidate, we could not be more thrilled to announce the appointment of Eunice Wotene as Oxfam in the Pacific Executive Director,” Ms Kanek Talao said.
“Eunice is an outstanding example Pacific leadership and holds an exceptional knowledge of the Pacific journey for Oxfam. Her commitment to the issues that affect our people and our region has been demonstrated to the highest calibre during her years of tenure with Oxfam Papua New Guinea and Oxfam in the Pacific.
“Eunice’s appointment marks yet another milestone in our journey to self-determination, and we are deeply proud of Eunice’s achievements and eager to see the future of transformation under her leadership.”
Eunice’s appointment comes at a significant time for Oxfam in the Pacific as they continue the consolidation of the new approach toward becoming an independent regional affiliate of the Oxfam global confederation; having announced the appointment of the first Pacific Islander, Freda Kanek Talao, to chair the Trust Board in July 2022.
The Oxfam in the Pacific Trust Board was established to govern the path to self-determination of Oxfam in the Pacific.
“The journey that Oxfam in the Pacific is on is very similar to my personal journey, to be independent and self-reliant is not easy, it has its own challenges and requires commitment, and determination, and the ability to appreciate that mistakes does not mean failure but an opportunity to learn and grow,” Ms Wotene said.
“I am humbled to be appointed as Executive Director for Oxfam in the Pacific and I look forward to working with you all.”
The Trust Board for Oxfam in the Pacific wishes Eunice well in her new role.
