WASHINGTON, DC: In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, Cultural Vistas is proud to announce the twenty-four finalists selected for the 2024-2025 cohort of the Young Pacific Leaders Professional Fellows Program (YPL PFP).

These professionals represent nine different Pacific countries and are part of the prestigious Professional Fellows Program (PFP), which facilitates these two-way professional exchange opportunities all around the world.

Beginning in May 2025, YPL PFP Fellows will complete four-week long fellowships across the United States where they will gain hands-on experience in their professional area of expertise. While in the United States, fellows will build their professional networks within their host organizations and prepare to implement a follow-on project in their home communities and organizations in the Pacific, centered on the theme of Economic Empowerment. After the fellowships have concluded, Professional Fellows from around the world will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Professional Fellows Congress, where they will share their program experiences and provide peer-feedback on prospective follow-on projects.

This is the third year Cultural Vistas is implementing the Professional Fellows Program in the Pacific region, and we are pleased to welcome such talented professionals from a wide array of backgrounds.

Please see below for the selected fellows’ names and professional areas of interests that will guide their placement and follow-on projects:

• Emma Minimbi, Papua New Guinea – Women’s rights; Legal Service and support for Domestic Violence; Policy Reform
• Anamaria Lauiula Kaur Saili, Samoa – Assistive Technology & Devices; Disability Support; Microfinance Incubators; Business Management
• Tiresa Pepe Va’ai, Australia – Child/Youth Protection & Justice; Social Equity; First Nations Community Development
• Sosefina Eunice Faaosa Noa, Samoa – Roadway Infrastructure; Climate Change research; Infrastructure Materials
• Mary Maselina Harm, Australia – Re-indigenization; First Nations communities; Social Impact & Entrepreneurship; Cultural/Linguistic Preservation
• Hironui Eddy Raireva Johnston, French Polynesia – Entrepreneurship; Business incubation, Tourism Development
• Savannah Honey Dantin, New Zealand – Disaster & Emergency; Crisis Management
• Junior Tony Tambi, Papua New Guinea – Microeconomic Initiatives; Community Engagement; Entrepreneurship; Sustainable Development
• Kim Allen, Papua New Guinea – Leadership Development; Economic & Policy Development; Community Engagement
• Nicole Zoe Stanton, New Zealand – Community Engagement; Grassroots Storytelling & Indigenous Communities; Sustainable Development
• Sulieti Tauataina, Tonga – Youth Rehabilitation; Youth Empowerment; Entrepreneurship & Career Development
• Vineet Singh, Fiji – Education Technology; Education & Knowledge Sharing; AI Technology
• Ann-Maree June Long, Australia – Financial Literacy; Start-ups; Family-owned Business; Mindfulness, Healing & Wellbeing
• Koto Baleicakau Qalo, Fiji – Curriculum & Learning Development; Literacy Education
• Trina Jayleen Paroi, Solomon Islands – Sales & Marketing Technology Development
• Paias Doa, Papua New Guinea – Economic Development; Entrepreneurship Development; Social Change
• Kalisiana Tarairawa, Fiji – Economic Development; Entrepreneurship Development; Social Change
• Jotham Israel Keleino, Papua New Guinea – Marine Resource Management; Environment & Waste Management; Sustainable Development
• Blanca Tomaki, Vanuatu – Gender Equality & Inclusion
• Anish Ashutosh Reddy, Fiji – Market Research & Business Development
• Erin Hadassah Maya, Papua New Guinea – Agricultural Research; Agricultural Product Development & Trade
• Epeli Asaro, Fiji – Private Sector Eco/Sustainable Tourism
• Emma Bungtabu Januwai Oliver, Papua New Guinea – Data Collection & Analysis, M&E, Environmental Conservation
• Frances Diane Alia Danuza Satini, Tonga – Sustainable Development; Human security; Policy & Government

Following the exchanges, program alumni will be eligible for a small stipend to assist with funding to complete a follow-on activity within their home communities in advancement of their professional goals. Additionally, alumni will have the opportunity to host an American Fellow for a ten-to-fourteen-day reciprocal exchange in support of their follow-on activity. All participant program travel costs and accommodations will be covered by the program and coordinated by Cultural Vistas.

If you are interested in hosting a YPL PFP Fellow or learning more about the program, please contact Cultural Vistas at pfpoceania@culturalvistas.org. Hosting a Professional Fellow is a great way to build relationships with these esteemed international professionals and learn more about the wide variety of programming facilitated by the U.S. Department of State.

About the Professional Fellows Program:

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. PFP participants are placed in intensive fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. They build a broad network with American and other program participant colleagues as they develop a deeper understanding of

U.S. society. The PFP is a two-way exchange, with American participants who have hosted foreign fellows traveling overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs.

About the Young Pacific Leaders Initiative:

Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) is a youth leadership development program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, which focuses on leadership development, and networking between emerging leaders across the Pacific and the United States. Launched in 2013, YPL Programs help to harness the extraordinary potential of youth in the region to address critical challenges and expand opportunities. YPL program focuses are centered around the following four themes:

1. Education
2. Environment and Resource Management
3. Civic Leadership
4. Economic and Social Development

To learn more, Sign up today to be part of the Young Pacific Leaders community or connect with YPL via Facebook and Instagram

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) builds relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, professional and private exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships and mentoring programs. These exchange programs improve foreign relations and strengthen the national security of the United States, support U.S. international leadership, and provide a broad range of domestic benefits by helping break down barriers that often divide us. Visit eca.state.gov or contact ECA-Press@state.gov to learn more.