Veteran humanitarian Sainiana Rokovucago has been appointed the CEO of the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises (FRIEND) Fiji.
The appointment was announced by the homegrown NGO after a successful and vigorous recruitment process by consultant firm KPMG.
Board president Adi Makelesi Tavaiqia said Ms Rokovucago joined FRIEND with extensive experience in program management.
“The FRIEND Fiji Board is confident that Sainiana’s expertise and experience will allow her to extend the vision of the organisation to greater heights and develop its poverty alleviation programs to serve communities better,” Adi Makelesi said.
“The board acknowledges the contribution of the founder or the organisation, Ms Sashi Kiran, now the Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
“Sashi’s vision and her efforts of building FRIEND from nothing 21 years ago will always be remembered.
“She has left FRIEND a strong, highly regarded and financially viable organisation with an exciting future.”
Adi Makelesi indicated that the board had faith that the new CEO would sustain and grow the organisation to greater heights with her leadership.
Ms Rokovucago worked, with local and regional NGOs, development work in Kiribati after a successful stint with the Ministry of Women.
Adi Makelesi said FRIEND has exciting plans for the near future and this would include rolling out a four-year program of rural development in the Northern Division and food security programs in the Central Division.
