Three women have been recruited as new Chief Executive Officers by the Public Service Commission for a period of four-years.

They are: Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, CEO of the Ministry of Tourism; Pilimilose Balwyn Fa’otusia CEO for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning;, and Susana Faletau as CEO for Justice.

Fekita ‘Utoikamanu of Kolomotu'a takes her new appointment on January 3, 2017 after having a long career both in the public and regional service, and as a senior diplomat. She began her civil service career in 1983, and has held many senior roles. She was Tonga’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations from 2004-09. She joined the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in Fiji as Deputy Director General and was also Director of the SPC’s Education, Training and Human Development Division.

Most recently, Fekita has been working as Director for ‘Utoikamanu & Associates Co. Ltd.

Balwyn Fa’otusia of Ha’ateiho takes up as CEO for Finance on January 3, 2017 after working with the European Union as an advisor this year. She started in the public service in 1990 and held various senior positions with various Government Ministries, including Principal Project Economist, Deputy Director of Planning, Deputy Secretary for Finance and Deputy Commissioner of Revenue.

In November 2010, Balwyn was working at the World Bank in Washington D.C, as adviser to the Executive Director for two-years.

Susana Faletau of Fanga is taking up her top job this week on 16 December. She is not new to the Ministry of Justice as she was previously CEO for Justice, on a three-year contract from 2012-15.

She began her career in the public service in 1993 and held senior positions including Senior Assistant Secretary, Principal Assistant Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office and also at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.