A powerhouse leadership journey: 12 young leaders paired 12 extraordinary mentors

For the 2024 Archer Leadership Development Program, 12 extraordinary young leaders have been matched with 12 extraordinarily experienced mentors volunteering their time to develop PNG’s leaders of tomorrow. KTF worked tirelessly to tailor-match the Archer Leaders with Industry-leading mentors working in their area of study or interest. These mentors will offer indispensable expertise and support that guide the Acher Leaders on their professional and leadership journey.

Engineering:

Top executives from long-term Archer supporters, Newmont, have volunteered to bring their expertise to the program this year mentoring Unitech Engineering students:

  • Kaipale Pano, Acting Manager of Mine Technical Services was matched with Darrel Yockopua

  • Ben Likia, Manager for Business Improvement and a seasoned Archer Leader mentor who volunteers year after year, has been paired with McBride Matai

  • Philip Asing, Superintendent for Mine Technical Services is paired with Solange Dawana

  • Gelam Iamo, Superintendent for Drill & Blast is paired with Wallace Parimahi

  • Zaraleena Adamson has been matched with Bertha Mange, a Technical Specialist at Newmont. Berthe Mange, a trailblazer in the mining sector for women, was the first female in New Ireland Province to graduate with a degree in Mining Engineering and the first female selected for the Newcrest (now known as Newmont) Mining Graduate Program. Berthe's achievements are shattering gender barriers and paving the way for women in the sector.

Economics:

Senior management from Kina Bank have volunteered their extensive financial expertise to our Archer Leaders studying economics:

  • Martina Touloga the Senior Manager for International Operations has been matched with Isabelle Vilau 

  • Shirley Prasad, General Manager for Product, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships has been matched Vilousa Hahmbe

Law:

In the realm of law, KTF connected four Archer Leaders studying Law at the University of Papua New Guinea with professionals working at leading legal institutions including:

  • Tim Hewitt from BMS Group matched with Taine Kassman 

  • Belinda Hughes, Executive Director at PNG Independent Commission Against Corruption (PNG ICAC) has been paired with Nabieu Lansana

  • Amanda Bridgeman, Director at PNG ICAC has been paired with Denphil-Hunt Miti

  • Anna Martin, a lawyer at the Victorian Bar with 10 years of legal experience behind her in areas of International, Criminal and Public Law, has been paired with Zeruiah Grammon

Science:
Archer Leader, Chelsea Paspalau, studying Fisheries & Marine Science at the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment has been matched with Tania Jones, Manager of Sustainable Market Development at a longstanding supporter organization, Green Gravity which operates at the forefront of sustainable decarbonisation.

2023 Archer Leader graduate, Raymond Billy, who benefited from the mentorship journey lasy year stated, “KTF really set out the program to bring me out of my comfort zone. They also 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.”


The year-long, experiential leadership program includes a wide range of activities to help build up the confidence, skills, networks, resources and support systems of the chosen young leaders. An integral part of this program is being matched with senior professionals with real-world experience who provide ongoing guidance, support, encouragement and coaching during their final year of tertiary study; creating self-assured, innovative and adaptive young leaders equipped with the tools and knowledge to bring about positive change in their workplaces, schools, communities and nation.


The Archer Leadership Development Program is supported by the Fred P Archer Trust via Perpetual Trustees, Newmont and Kina Bank.

Cherry O'Brien