12 young leaders begin a transformative leadership journey with KTF

Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), an Australian NGO focused on the four pillars of education, health, equality and leadership, has signalled the beginning of the 2024 Archer Leadership Development Program with its annual Archer Leaders cocktail event. At this event, the exceptional 2023 cohort of Archer Leaders graduated from this year-long leadership program and joined the 94-strong alumni. Additionally, the 12 new Archer Leaders for 2024 were announced, having been chosen out of a record-breaking 300 applicants.

The Archer Leadership Development Program is an annual scholarship program for final-year tertiary students in PNG to partake in a transformational leadership journey aimed at developing the confidence, networks, skills, resources and support systems that our young leaders need to exercise exceptional leadership. This year-long experiential journey offers a once-in-a-lifetime exchange to Australia, adaptive leadership workshops, work experience with industry-leading organisations, professional partnerships with senior mentors, support for tuition fees, an educational and professional development resource allowance and assistance in implementing community projects. 

KTF CEO, Dr. Genevieve Nelson stated, “I am so proud of all of our Archer Leaders. It has been an extremely difficult yet inspiring few days, interviewing this year’s shortlist. We heard stories of achievement, of overcoming extreme challenges, and of dedication to a better future for PNG - every candidate we interviewed was inspirational in their own way. We can’t wait to work with this year’s Archer cohort.”

Over an intensive 2-day interview process, these 12 applicants, from a range of academic backgrounds, were chosen as the 2024 Archer Leaders:

  • Taine Kassman (Law - UPNG)

  • Vilousa Hahembe (Economics - UPNG)

  • Nabieu Lansana (Law - UPNG

  • Issabelle Vilau (Masters in Economics - UPNG)

  • Denphil-Hunt Mitir (Law - UPNG)

  • Zeruiah Grammon (Law - UPNG)

  • Darrel Yockopua (Engineering Mineral Processing - Unitech)

  • Solange Dawana (Mechanical Engineering - Unitech)

  • Chelsea Paspalau (Fisheries & Marine Science, PNGUNRE)

  • Wallace Parimahi (Mining Engineering - Unitech)

  • Zaraleena Adamson (Mechanical Engineering - Unitech)

  • McBride Matai (Civil Engineering - Unitech)

Participants of the Archer Leadership program experience proven positive outcomes. An evaluation found that KTF’s Archer alumni, representing all of PNG’s 22 provinces, have gone on to achieve remarkable results in their communities, workplaces and country. Over 70% of Archer Leaders have gone on to be involved in community projects, over 77% have assumed leadership roles and 100% of participants feel confident in tackling complex challenges.

Raymond Billy, a Bachelor of Science student at the University of PNG and a 2023 Archer Leader, stated “My experience has been a rollercoaster of events. KTF set out the program to really bring me out of my comfort zone. They paid attention to the details of my career interests and allowed me to be exposed to people specific to those areas I was interested in. I was so overwhelmed with the wealth of knowledge on adaptive leadership and how I can be the smallest voice in the room but be the most effective one. Most of the time, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and I didn’t enjoy that, but then when the day was over, I reflected and said to myself: “I did that!” And it was followed by this feeling of confidence and satisfaction that I’d just done something I’m afraid of and it didn’t kill me. ”

The 2024 Archer Leaders cocktail event was attended by special guests His Excellency John Feakes Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Dr Genevieve Nelson, and representatives from our long-time supporters of the Archer Leadership Program Kina Bank CEO Roppe Uyassi, Newmont Group Head of Social Performance, Rebecca Darling, Newmont Head of Communities and Social Performance, Matt King and Newmont Manager of Strategic Engagement, Tim Bryson.

Dr. Genevieve Nelson, KTF CEO, and 2023 Archer Leaders Luther Temai and Courtneyella Dotson as well as 2024 Archer Leaders Solange Dawana and Taine Kassman joined Timmy at NBC radio to talk about the history of the Archer Leadership development program, graduation and induction celebrations at the 2024 Annual Archer cocktail event, experience highlights for the outgoing Archers and what the 2024 Archers hope to achieve as young leaders. Listen to it here:

The Archer Leadership is generously supported through the Fred P Archer Trust managed via Perpetual Trustees, Newmont and Kina Bank.

 
Cherry O'Brien