Emma Tiaree led the development of AIFFP’s approach to local content and supports AIFFP’s finance partners implement procurement models that prioritise local employment, industry participation and upskilling in the design and construction of Pacific infrastructure. Emma has over 20 years experience managing international development programs, with specific expertise in developing local content strategy and procurement plans; undertaking labour market and industry capability assessments; monitoring and evaluation; and forging strategic partnerships in the trades training sector.

Joseph Bautaake is currently working as a Senior Project Officer within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) since 2023, looking after MISE’s projects procurement, warranting, financial matters, and others.

Benoît Cambier is the European Investment Bank's (EIB, a.k.a. the EU Bank) representative for the Pacific, based in Fiji. Engineer by training, his professional experience has enabled him to develop a wide range of expertise, from public infrastructure and regional economic development to agriculture, climate change, and development & impact financing. His career has taken him to work in the public sector (EU and UN) as well as in the private sector with international consultancy firms.

Steve Knode is the Regional Senior Commercial Officer (RSCO) for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), based in Sydney. A member of the Senior Foreign Service, he has previously served as Deputy Senior Commercial Officer (DSCO) at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, Senior Commercial Officer (SCO) for U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) in Pakistan, based in Karachi, and the head of USCS in São Paulo, Brazil. Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, USCS is the principal trade and investment promotion agency of the U.S. government.

Aaron Batten is the Regional Director for ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji where he oversees the delivery of ADB’s financing and knowledge solutions in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Mr Batten has 18 years of international experience, across the South Pacific, South-East Asia, and Africa. He has a background in international economics, fiscal and debt management and infrastructure project management. Mr Batten received a PhD in International Economics from the Australian National University in 2009.

Cris Nunes is a Senior Procurement Specialist based in the World Bank’s office in Sydney. He and his team are responsible for procurement reform dialogue with Pacific Island countries and for the fiduciary oversight of the bank’s investments in this area. Cris has more than 20 years’ experience in public procurement and prior to joining the World Bank, Cris worked as a procurement expert for the Brazilian and Timorese Governments and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Angelia Williams is the Director of Major Projects and Procurement Support Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management in the Cook Islands. This role oversee and supports various Government Agencies and Committees who play a vital role in making critical Infrastructure decisions in the Cook Islands. Angelia has a business degree, a Marsters in professional accounting and some accredited financial and project certifications. In addition to this, on a personal level - she leads multiple sports and cultural groups.