SICCI announces new CEO Elect

September 18, 2018

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Wednesday 12 August, Honiara – The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) wishes to announce it has a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elect.

She is Ms Atenasi Ata.

Ms Ata will replace outgoing CEO Mr Dennis Meone who will be leaving the Chamber in December later this year.

SICCI Board Chairman, Jay Bartlett made the announcement at the 10th Australia-Solomon Islands Business Forum today in Brisbane, Australia.

“It’s always encouraging to see women take up leadership roles and I believe Atenasi will add great value to the future of the Chamber,” he said.

The SICCI Secretariat, on behalf of the Chairman, also on Wednesday 12th August 2018 circulated an email to its members announcing the recruitment of the new CEO Elect.

“After a very lengthy and competitive interview process I am pleased to inform you that we have a new incoming Chief Executive Officer, Ms Atenasi Ata,” the SICCI Chair said.

Ms Atenasi joins the Chamber with wide experience in the development sector working with Government on programs supporting systems strengthening in elections, human resource management, parliamentary democracy.

In Solomon Islands Atenasi worked with UNDP and UN Women, and before that, from 2006-2013 with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Her work has taken her to Kiribati to work on education initiatives and to Vanuatu to manage grants that support ending violence against women.

Atenasi recently completed a Master in Law and Development through Melbourne University’s Law School. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Studies from the University of the South Pacific. 

Ms Ata will officially take over from current CEO Mr Meone in December, and in the next few weeks there will be a handover period.

“I would like to thank the Board and the Panel members for undertaking what has been a very enriching process and going beyond the call of duty to finalize the interview and selection process,” the SICCI Chair said.

Meanwhile, Mr Bartlett thanked outgoing CEO Mr Meone for his commitment, hard work, passion for not only the Chamber but as an emerging young leader in the country.

“Dennis has a genuine heart for the country and is a true patriot. It has been a great pleasure to work alongside him over the last 2 and a half years.

“We share the same beliefs that what we do is greater than who we are as individuals and the stakes are far too high for us to be bystanders in our development efforts.

“Thank you Dennis, I know you will go on to do great things and we wish you and your family all the best,” Mr Bartlett said.