{"id":295589,"date":"2019-03-18T06:06:59","date_gmt":"2019-03-17T20:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=295589"},"modified":"2019-03-18T06:06:59","modified_gmt":"2019-03-17T20:06:59","slug":"leadership-devt-program-caps-third-session-in-yap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/leadership-devt-program-caps-third-session-in-yap\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership dev\u2019t program caps third session in Yap"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2018-2019 cohort of the Pacific Islands Executive Leadership Development Program, or just ELDP, pose in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. (Contributed Photos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WASHINGTON\u2014Twenty-six island government officials recently completed the third and penultimate session of the leadership development and training program\u2014called Pacific Islands Executive Leadership Development Program\u2014in Yap, Micronesia.<\/p>\n

The 26 comprise the 2018-2019 cohort of the ELDP. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to support the development of leadership skills and capacity in young professionals from the U.S. insular areas,\u201d said Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior assistant secretary, Insular and International Affairs. \u201cWe look forward to seeing them continue to develop and assume more responsibility in decision-making for the future of the islands.\u201d <\/p>\n

The 26 participants hail from the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and from the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Students from the U.S. Virgin Islands participate in a separate Executive Leadership Program that takes place in various locations on the East Coast and in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

The third week of the ELDP focused on leading institutions, with the participants being challenged to practice policy advocacy skills through the use of leadership concepts and principles taught during the first two ELDP sessions. <\/p>\n

Participants interpreted and utilized fiscal and economic data to develop policy reform options to address issues relevant to island jurisdictions. <\/p>\n

Other activities included updating individual leadership development plans, presenting team project updates, and participating in one-on-one meetings with ELDP program advisors to review each individual leader\u2019s progress to date and discuss continued professional growth.<\/p>\n

ELDP participants were welcomed to Yap by Gov. Henry Falan and they heard from additional guest speakers including T.H. Vincent Figir, speaker of the Yap State Legislature; Larry Raigetal, traditional navigator and director of Wa\u2019agey; T.H. Cyprian Manmaw, Yap state chief justice; and Dr. Margie Falanruw, director of the Yap Institute of Natural Science. <\/p>\n

Three program advisors supported the ELDP during the week: T.H. Sebastian Anefal, FSM ambassador to Fiji; Dr. Mary Okada, president of Guam Community College; and Anna Mendiola, president and CEO of the FSM Development Bank.<\/p>\n

The ELDP was created in 2009 to address challenges attracting and retaining qualified individuals to work in core functions of island governments. The U.S. insular areas now count 103 alumni who have developed their leadership abilities through the ELDP. Graduates of the program now serve in their respective island governments as ambassadors, elected representatives, judges, cabinet members, directors, and dedicated public servants.<\/p>\n

The ELDP 2019 participants from each insular area are as follows:<\/p>\n

American Samoa
\n\t\u2022\tKatrina Hunkin-Seumanutafa, Travel Division head, Office of the Attorney General
\n\t\u2022\tPeteru Lam Yuen, financial aid officer, American Samoa Community College
\n\t\u2022\tBurg Salanoa, Community Services Block Grant Program manager, Department of Commerce
\n\t\u2022\tCrystal Simanu, teacher, Department of Education<\/p>\n

Guam
\n\t\u2022\tJohn Camacho, Jr, accountant, Department of Administration
\n\t\u2022\tRodalyn Gerardo, special assistant, Office of Public Accountability<\/p>\n

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
\n\t\u2022\tMichelle Atalig, apecial advisor, Department of Public Lands
\n\t\u2022\tRyan Camacho, technical financial analyst, Department of Finance, Office of the Secretary
\n\t\u2022\tPatty Coleman, program leader, Nutrition & Health Programs, Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension, & Education Services
\n\t\u2022\tTaAnn Kabua-Demapan, Drug Court manager, Judiciary<\/p>\n

Federated States of Micronesia government
\n\t\u2022\tErick Paul, assistant secretary, National Treasury, Department of Finance
\n\t\u2022\tShaun Suliol, webmaster, College of Micronesia
\n\t\u2022\tSherlyn Reynold, budget analyst, Department of Education<\/p>\n

Chuuk, FSM
\n\t\u2022\tRoxalynn Kaminanga, accountant, Chuuk Department of Administrative Services
\n\t\u2022\tWisney Nakayama, representative, Chuuk State Legislature<\/p>\n

Kosrae, FSM
\n\t\u2022\tJulie Sigrah, administrator, Kosrae Visitor\u2019s Bureau<\/p>\n

Pohnpei, FSM
\n\t\u2022\tMitaro Simina, vice principal, student services, Bailey Olter High School<\/p>\n

Yap, FSM
\n\t\u2022\tVallynna Gippin, staff auditor, Office of the Public Auditor<\/p>\n

Marshall Islands
\n\t\u2022\tMaybeline Bing, secretary, Ministry of Finance
\n\t\u2022\tLaurence Edwards, II, legal advisor, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority
\n\t\u2022\tHolden Nena, clinical director Of Human Services, Health and Human Services
\n\t\u2022\tIsabella Silk, director, Office of Compact Implementation
\n\t\u2022\tFrancyne Wase-Jacklick, assistant secretary, Health & Human Services<\/p>\n

Palau
\n\t\u2022\tAntonnette Merur, director of Nursing, Ministry of Health
\n\t\u2022\tSunny Ngirmang, director, Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs
\n\t\u2022\tTmong Udui, epidemiologist, Palau Ministry of Health<\/p>\n

The ELDP remains competitive, with over 100 applications received and evaluated each program year. This 2018-2019 cohort of the Pacific Islands ELDP will participate in one final session and graduate in June 2019. <\/p>\n

The ELDP is administered by the Graduate School USA with funding support through the Office of Insular Affairs\u2019 Technical Assistance Program. Additional information is available online at http:\/\/eldp.pitiviti.org. More information on funding assistance from the Office of Insular Affairs may be found at https:\/\/www.doi.gov\/oia\/fiscal-payments.(PR)<\/p>\n