Our people are the foundation of our impact 

Andrew Fa’avale is a respected thought leader in systems reform, known for his ability to bridge cultural wisdom with strategic expertise. With a background in law, family dispute resolution, and a Master of Education (Research), Andrew brings over two decades of experience across government, academia, non-profits, business, and professional sport, both in Australia and internationally.

 

His work is grounded in a deep commitment to cultural leadership and empowering communities through a strengths-based approach. Andrew is widely recognised for his ability to design and lead innovative, evidence-informed solutions that respond to complex social challenges. He is a trusted advisor to government and community alike, and a passionate advocate for placing lived experience and cultural knowledge at the centre of systems change.

 

As a testament to his influence and thought leadership, Andrew was invited by TEDx to deliver a talk titled Disrupting Education through Traditional Knowledges. In his talk, Andrew explores how Indigenous and Pasifika worldviews can reshape mainstream systems, reimagining what’s possible and bringing about long-term transformation.

John-Paul Cluney brings strategic leadership and deep industry insight to his role as Deputy CEO at MANAWISE. With a strong background in executive management and a passion for innovation, JP plays a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s direction and driving impactful outcomes for communities and clients alike. His forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen MANAWISE’s position as a values-driven enterprise.

Jennifer is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) and Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience across corporate and public practice environments. She specialises in financial and management reporting, budgeting and forecasting, multi-jurisdictional taxation, and end-to-end finance operations.
She has held senior roles including Finance Manager and Financial Controller within global organisations, with a strong track record in leading teams, improving financial processes, and delivering accurate, timely insights to support strategic decision-making.
Experienced across industries such as aviation, insurance, and financial technology, She brings strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, complex environments. Bilingual in English and Mandarin, She works confidently with diverse stakeholders across regions.
She is passionate about continuous improvement and contributing to business growth through high-quality financial leadership.

Pala Fonoti is our Systems Manager who specializes in transforming business operations using the Microsoft Power Platform. With extensive experience across diverse sectors, he offers a winning combination: deep technical expertise and people-first leadership.

Known for a collaborative approach and exceptional relationship-building, Pala is an expert at translating complex business challenges into simple, elegant digital solutions. He has successfully digitized and optimized core business operations for diverse clients, leading the design and implementation of customized SharePoint solutions, complex Power Automate workflows, and custom PowerApps that drive efficiency and deliver actionable insights through Power BI.

Before stepping into the tech space, Pala built a strong foundation in property management, mentoring staff and streamlining operations across multiple offices. His experience also includes frontline youth work, where he fostered safe and supportive environments for young people in residential care.

Pala is passionate about solving problems with both structure and creativity, and thrives in roles that require both strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

With over six years of experience in the residential care sector, Azera brings a deep understanding of operational processes, risk management, and service quality to her role as Quality and Compliance Lead at MANAWISE Care.

She plays a key role in overseeing compliance with industry standards and legislative frameworks, including the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) and Standards of Care. Her work ensures that organisational policies, training, and day-to-day practice reflect a strong commitment to safety, consistency, and excellence.

Having progressed through frontline and leadership roles, Azera offers both strategic insight and hands-on knowledge of care environments. She leads internal audits, facilitates policy development, manages incident reporting, and works collaboratively with staff and external stakeholders to improve service outcomes.

Known for her integrity, diligence, and dedication to continuous improvement, she is passionate about raising the bar for quality and safeguarding the wellbeing of those in care.

Tahana is an experienced leader in the residential care sector, dedicated to supporting children and young people to thrive. As an Area Manager at MANAWISE Care, he oversees a range of residential care services and programs, ensuring high-quality, culturally informed, and therapeutic support across his region.

With a strong focus on leadership and operational excellence, Tahana works closely with care teams to drive best practice in case management, compliance, and service delivery. He is passionate about building capable, supported teams and fostering environments where young people feel safe, valued, and empowered to reach their potential.

Tahana’s commitment to cultural awareness, staff wellbeing, and continuous improvement reflects the core values of MANAWISE Care and contributes to the organisation’s mission of creating positive outcomes for children and young people.

Kirsty Lenaghan is a seasoned leader in residential out-of-home care, with over 15 years’ experience supporting teams who work with highly vulnerable children and young people across Queensland. As an Area Manager at MANAWISE, Kirsty brings deep expertise in therapeutic practice, crisis response, and team development.

She is a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Train-the-Trainer and a recognised leader in implementing trauma-informed, child-centred approaches. Her leadership is grounded in values of safety, consistency, and cultural responsiveness—ensuring that both young people and teams are well supported.

Kirsty holds qualifications in early childhood education, youth work, and community services, and is currently completing her Bachelor of Human Services. She is passionate about creating safe, healing environments and leading with clarity, purpose, and care.

Caleb is an experienced residential care leader with a proven track record in managing and supporting teams that work with highly vulnerable children and young people. As Area Manager at MANAWISE Care, he oversees multiple residential care sites, ensuring high standards of therapeutic, trauma-informed care and compliance with departmental and organisational requirements.

Since joining MANAWISE Care, Caleb has progressed through leadership roles including Care Leader and Acting Area Manager, demonstrating strengths in staff mentoring, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement. He is skilled at fostering inclusive and culturally responsive care environments, embedding consistent practices, and leading initiatives that improve service delivery and outcomes for young people.

Holding a Bachelor of Theology and a Diploma in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Caleb combines professional qualifications with hands-on experience across case management, behavioural support, and household operations. He is deeply committed to values-based leadership, regular on-site presence, and building strong relationships with both staff and the young people in care.

With over a decade of experience in customer service, training, virtual assistance, and operations, Ann plays a vital role in supporting the day-to-day functions of the MANAWISE executive team. Since joining in 2022, she has worked across a broad range of teams and projects, with a particular focus on onboarding new team members and ensuring smooth internal coordination.

Ann brings strong project management skills, attention to detail, and a warm, solutions-focused approach to every task. Her ability to manage competing demands, communicate clearly, and maintain confidentiality makes her an essential part of the organisation.

Before joining MANAWISE, Ann held roles in training, team leadership, and customer support, including as a Training Manager and Subject Matter Expert. With a solid background in the BPO industry and extensive experience across sectors, she is known for her structured, reliable, and proactive approach to supporting people and systems.

Grace is a dedicated and versatile Accounts Officer who oversees accounts receivable and provides key support in payroll and accounts payable processes. Since joining the organisation in 2022, she has contributed across several departments, including administration and media, and played a pivotal role in assisting with the MANA Pasifika mentoring program from 2021 to 2023.

In 2023, she transitioned into her current role in accounts, where she applies her strong organisational skills, accuracy, and commitment to efficiency. Known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and positive attitude, she brings a calm and solutions-focused approach to every aspect of her work. Her background across both operational and community-focused areas reflects her ability to adapt, connect, and deliver results. She is passionate about supporting the smooth running of internal processes while contributing to initiatives that make a difference.

Dell provides day-to-day IT and systems support for the MANAWISE team, with a background in systems administration, workflow automation, and user support. Since joining in 2023, he has played a key role in maintaining the organization’s digital infrastructure—supporting SharePoint systems, managing user access and Teams environments, and streamlining processes with Power Automate.

He brings experience in both IT and administrative roles, with a strong focus on issue resolution, network monitoring, and optimizing remote work tools. Dell is proficient in Microsoft 365, Entra, Power BI, Trello, WordPress, and Google Workspace.

With a degree in Computer Science and a solid foundation in customer service, Dell combines technical knowledge with a proactive, user-centered approach to ensure smooth and secure operations across MANAWISE.

Revs brings a strong background in finance, administration, and customer service, with experience spanning banking, e-commerce, and virtual assistance. Since joining MANAWISE in 2023, she has provided essential support across financial processes, documentation management, and operational tasks, contributing to the smooth running of day-to-day activities.

With prior roles as a bank teller and operations assistant for international teams, Revs is skilled in data accuracy, payment processing, and client communication. She is also proficient in tools such as Google Workspace, Stripe, Trello, Amazon Seller Center, and Klaviyo.

Organised, adaptable, and detail-oriented, Revs offers reliable support to the wider MANAWISE team, helping ensure that both financial and administrative systems run efficiently.