Our Team

Loma Mataika

Chair and Board Member

Master of Engineering Architecture, Nagoya Institute of Technology. Owner Atelier 153, an architecture and art-driven studio based in Suva with an extensive portfolio spanning the country, including the outer islands.

With two decades of industry experience and academic training in architecture and sustainable building design across Japan, Australia, Germany, Portugal, and Fiji, the business has refined its approach and lead clients through a journey of discovery, from unconventional concepts to beautifully unexpected outcomes.

Loma is the Founder and Director of Women In Sports Hub (WISH) Fiji

Fantasha Lockington

Board Member

CEO at Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association. Holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With several IATA airline-related management qualifications, she is an industry proponent for government engagement with tourism businesses and advocates for growth opportunities, productivity, and equitable regulatory reforms.

Fantasha serves on the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB), USP’s Pacific TAFE Industry Advisory Committee, the Fiji Commerce & Employment Federation Board (FCEF), FCEF Council for Tourism & Transport and the Reserve Bank of Fiji Board (RBF).

Julianne Verma

Board Member

Sandip Kumar

Board Member

Sandip is the Pacific Technical Officer at Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES Australia) in Suva. He is the Technical Advisor to The Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands (SEIAPI). With ten years of experience in the training and energy sector, prior to joining GSES, he held the position of Lecturer – Electrical/Renewable Energy at Fiji National University for more than 8 years. Earlier in his career, Sandip held the positions of Project Estimator/Engineer for electrical companies in Fiji and is a Licensed Electrician.

He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of the South Pacific. His thesis  ‘Higher renewable energy penetration analysis of grid connected PV systems in Tarawa, Kiribati and their implications on grid stability’, which was done in collaboration with IRENA and PPA. Sandip also engages in part-time consultancies in the energy sector and has delivered on the projects for GGGI, UNDP, UNICEF, DFAT, World Bank, PRIF (ADB), SEIAPI and PPA.

Rob Edwards

Founder and Board Member

Rob is the founder and for 15 years the CEO of Its Time Foundation. He worked in the health industry for twenty-five years including five years in cardiac rehabilitation and two years with disadvantaged youth. He was Managing Director of Health Futures Pty Ltd (1992-2008), leaving that position to focus on Its Time Foundation and his Professional Speaking career.

He also founded a Plastic Free Oceans initiative and was a founding member, in 2011, of one of Australia’s most successful environmental campaigns that effectively stopped coal seam gas mining (fracking) in the Sydney water basin, with knockoff impacts globally. He also co-founded the Climate and Peace Forum for Rotary. In 2020 Rob was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his charitable work in Fiji and contribution to the  professional speaking industry.

Tamara Smith

Company Secretary

Tamara has Bachelor of Arts Degree (Tourism and Sociology) – from the University of the South Pacific.

She is a leading administration and management professional with over 20 years experience in event and sports management, marketing, general administration, and HR management. Tamara brings a goal-focused, solution-oriented approach to the organisation she engages, premised on efficiency, reliability, and results.

As an independent contractor, she provides support for small and medium-sized organisations, offering services that enhance operations, improve productivity, and free up resources. Tamara is the Founder of Clear Connect Services – Outsourced Event, Administration & Management Services.

Sharyne Fong

Business and Governance Advisor

After 30 years in the financial services industry, in 2019, Sharyne founded Insight Business Advisory Pte Ltd. Providing strategic and independent insight for organisations on governance, organisational reviews, policies and processes. She also provides insight into starting up and scaling up businesses. Leadership Fiji is her primary client where she’s engaged in providing executive support and focussed on scaling it up to align to its strategic goal of establishing a Leadership Centre for Fiji and the Pacific.

She is member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fiji Human Resources Institute, is an approved Business Advisor with Business Link Pacific, and serves on the board of a number of organizations. Sharyne is Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council, one of 9 councils under the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF). Sharyne is a facilitator with the US Embassy funded Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Program.

She has a Master of Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific. She is a fellow of Leadership Fiji, the Aspen Institute Executive Seminar and the Resnick Action Forum on Fearless Leadership.

Vasiti Talakubu

The Solar Fund’s Retained Maintenance Contractor