Our people are the foundation of our impact
Our People
From strategic leaders to experienced front-line practitioners, we work collaboratively to create trauma-informed, culturally responsive environments where individuals and families feel safe, supported and empowered.
Together, we walk alongside communities to shape a future where people and communities are empowered and thriving.
Our Founders
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.
Nicola’s academic and professional work is driven by a passion for operationalising research, ensuring that knowledge leads to meaningful, sustainable change. Her leadership is grounded in both intellectual rigour and lived experience, and she is deeply committed to creating systems that reflect the strengths and aspirations of the communities they serve.
As Director of the MANA Pasifika Research Centre, Nicola leads innovative, culturally grounded research that informs policy, practice, and service design across Australia and the Pacific. She brings clarity, care, and strategic insight to everything she does and, most importantly, is proudly mum to four children, grounding her work in the realities of family, culture, and community.
Our Team
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With her depth of experience and commitment to supporting others, Stacey is an invaluable member of the MANAWISE team.
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.
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.
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.
