Meet the Team
Behind every vision is a dedicated team who are responsible to bring it to life.
We have a strong and innovative team with valuable experience and expertise, but most importantly, we are here to serve.
We believe in making a positive impact. We aim to empower our customers, by providing them with the best Fintech experience in the Pacific.
Board of Directors
Semi Tukana
Founder & Chairman
BSc (Physics & Mathematics), MInfoSys (UQld), PGradDip (Computer Science) (QUT)
Semi was the founder of Software Factory Limited, one of the largest banking and pension fund software development firms in the Pacific region operating across the Pacific from Niue, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG and Fiji. Semi is currently serving his second 3-year term as a Council member of the University of the South Pacific. He brings to Sole’ more than 40 years in senior management of software companies with design and development experience across the financial services industry.
Taito Tabaleka
DipIntlMgt, ExecEd (Harv), GAIM, MNZID
Taito is an experienced non-executive director and has more than 27 years as a telecommunications executive and brings a wealth of strategic and executional expertise to the Sole’ Board. Having lead both operational change management and technical training across a range of businesses in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, he has significant global governance expertise and insights. Taito has also completed executive education at Harvard Business School, Southern Cross University in Australia and the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).
Atu Siwatibau
BCom (Economics & Business Administration), LLB (Commercial Law) (Canterbury)
Atu is a highly-regarded legal practitioner based in Auckland, New Zealand with a distinguished commercial career of more than 26 years of global practice. Atu brings experience across a number of industry sectors and geographies and providing a strong track record of expertise in highly regulated markets such as financial services and technology.
David Brennan
BBus (BusLaw), SnrExec MBA (Melb), DipIntlMgt, ExecEd (Harv), F Fin, GAICD
David is an experienced financial services executive and internationally credentialed non-executive director having sat on Boards in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Singapore. David is the Director – Distribution at U Ethical Investors and holds previous appointments with the Bendigo & Adelaide Banking Group and Macquarie Bank. David brings a wealth of experience from areas as institutional investment management, commercial governance, risk management and corporate advisory.
John Samisoni
BA (Economics & Computer Science)(Queensland)
John is a well-known entrepreneur and successful businessman in the Asia-Pacific region, currently responsible for the growth and operations for the privately-owned Hot Bread Kitchen chain. John has a strong philanthropic focus within the APAC region and is also involved within a number of other venture capital firms in various sectors.
Duri Buadromo
BA (Land Management)
Began her career in the telecommunications industry, later in the banking, petroleum oil industry and financial sector development. She previously led teams within the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Capital Markets Development Authority (Fiji). With more than 28 years of experience, Duri is a strong asset to the Sole’ team as her strong institutional background provides poignant insights to digital disruption and financial inclusion.
Lani Rauqeuqe
BA (History/Politics & Economics), PGradDip (History), MDiplomacy (ANU), MIntnlDevEco (ANU),
Lani is an internationally respected economist and central banker with more than 20 years of senior appointments including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC, USA, and the Reserve Bank of Fiji. Lani brings invaluable experience to the Board, not only from an academic research lens but also from a macroeconomic and financial policy perspective as well as providing clarity of appropriate strategic risk and compliance frameworks.
Kalolaini FBM Tukana-Tuiseke
Alternate Director
BSC (Biology & Chemistry), PGradDip (Biology)
Kalolaini represents a strong empirical-based approach to research and technology. Having a deep background in epidemiology and systems, she is able to bring to the Board real-world experience of financial administration and corporate governance. As an experienced executive, her insights on tactical and strategic matters is paralleled with her passion for financial literacy and education equality.
Management
Mereia Volavola
Chief Executive Officer
BA Econ/Business (USP) MBA Banking & Finance Distinction (University of Wales, UK), F Fin, AFAIM
Mereia is an experienced executive and has led a number of institutions and the regional Pacific private sector organization with extensive experience across the Pacific. Her vast experience in the financial industry in Fiji and the Pacific brings a strong track record of expertise. She is also a board director of a number of investment and finance companies in Fiji and Australia with wealth of experience in corporate and commercial governance, audit, risk management and compliance.
Michael Makasiale
(Company Secretary)
BA Accounting (USP), Diploma Business Studies – FIT, High School Diploma Honours, 34 years experience in the financial and corporate sector.
Jone Waqainabete
Chief Financial Officer
BEcon (UQ), BCom(UQ), GradDipCA (ICAA), GradDipAppFin (Kaplan Australia), MBA (JCU)
Jone is a Chartered Accountant with experience in corporate accounting, financial management, business modelling and company audits in Australia, Fiji and the UK. He is passionate about sustainable development, renewable energy, and the role of innovative technology in digital transformation. Jone is a member of the Fiji Institute of Accountants and the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.
Christina Rokoua
Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance Consultant
BA Accounting and Financial Mgmt/Economics (USP) MA Banking & Finance, Distinction (Griffith Uni Australia).
Christina is an experienced bank and financial institution examiner with prudential, supervisory, licensing and development policy formulation. From 24 years at the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Christina brings with her extensive regulatory experience in Fiji’s Financial Sector with a wealth of insight from leading the formulation and implementation of Fiji’s Financial Sector Development Plan 2018-2025. She is in the National Council of the Society of St Vincent De Paul in Fiji.
Founding Members
Semi Tukana
Founder & Chairman
Designing systems is an Art. Loves interacting with people. IT Entrepreneur with over 40 years experience. Founded Software Factory (FIJI) in 2001, Founded CloudApp Laboratories (PNG) Ltd in 2016, and in 2021 founded Sole Limited. The Sole concept was conceived in 2008, and 14 years later it came into being. Love our Pacific and the Solesolevaki culture.
Taito Tabaleka
Harvard Business School, Southern Cross Univesrity, NZ & Australia Institute of Management, Management & Technical Training in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, 27 years experience in Telecom industry and Senior Management level.
Pastor Laisiasi Joji
Diploma in Financial Services in Australia Financial Markets, Advanced Certificate in Lieu of Diploma in Theology – Oral Roberts University. 31 Years in corporate treasury management for ANZ Fiji and Pacific.
Atu Siwatibau
Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics & Business Administration) and LLB (majoring in Commercial Law) University of Canterbury, New Zealand,
26 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer with 7 years in NZ
Isikeli Tuituku
BE Civil – Canterbury University 1986, Harvard Business School & Macquarie University Negotiation & Finance Courses, CEO BP Oil and ANZ Senior Corporate experience of 24 years
Ratu Josaia Rayawa
President of Tavioka Growers Association, 31 years of experience in corporate Hotel Management and Marketing in the Fiji and Pacific.
Michael Makasiale
(Company Secretary)
BA Accounting (USP), Diploma Business Studies – FIT, High School Diploma Honours, 34 years experience in the financial and corporate sector.
Mereia Volavola
BA Economics & Business Management (USP, MBA in Banking & Finance with Distinction (University of Wales, UK), F Fin AFAIM.
Jone Waqainabete
B Economics – University of Queensland, Grad Dip Chartered Accounting (ICAA), Grad Dip App Finance (Kaplan Australia), MBA (James Cook University), CA Australia, NZ, CPA Australia, 30 years of Corporate Accounting Services.