Patron

Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae GCL GCMG KStJ was born on 8th of March 1961 and he is a Papua New Guinean politician currently serving as the tenth governor-general of Papua New Guinea since 2017. Sir Bob Dadae is Patron for the RSPCA PNG since 2024 and has been a strong advocate and promoter of animal welfare in PNG.

President

Seema Dass-Raju

Seema has lived and worked in PNG for 15 years and brings deep local experience. She is currently Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Nambawan Super Limited. She has a strong background in the financial sector with expertise in governance, risk and compliance, property, security, fraud prevention, and HR management.

Academically, she holds a bachelor’s in human resources, an MBA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. At RSPCA PNG, Seema has been a member for 6 years and has served as President for the past 2 years.

She is committed to raising animal care and protection standards across PNG.

Vice President

Lizette Theron

Lizette has been with RSPCA PNG since arriving in PNG in 2020. She started as a General Committee Member and now serves as Vice President.

Originally from South Africa, she spent 10 years as a university academic lecturing in anatomy and physiology, then built a 20+ year career in finance and governance across auditing, accounting, and financial management.

She’s deeply committed to improving animal welfare through practical support, education, and stronger governance. Lizette values the role RSPCA PNG plays in providing veterinary care, shelter, and community education, and takes a hands-on approach focused on real improvements for animals in homes and across the community.

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Treasurer

Russell Evans

Russell is a Certified Practicing Accountant, recognized by both CPA Australia and CPA PNG, with extensive experience in financial management, credit assessment, and corporate governance. He currently serves as General Manager of Resources & Investment Finance Limited, where he drives growth, structures financing solutions, and supports strategic initiatives across PNG.

He’s known for delivering disciplined financial outcomes, improving reporting, and building efficient systems. Russell has a deep love for animals and a strong appreciation for their role in communities.

He’s committed to supporting RSPCA PNG through sound financial oversight, accountability, & transparency, and brings practical, commercially focused stewardship that understands PNG’s operating environment.

Secretary

Soraya McLean

Soraya is Corporate Services Manager at Argo Marine with over 25 years’ experience in administration and HR. She has strong expertise in operations, governance, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and supporting boards through coordination, communication, and records management.She was raised in rural Australia with a lifelong connection to animals — horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and birds — which shaped her deep respect for animal welfare and responsible care.Soraya also has strong personal ties to PNG, with family connections spanning 35+ years, giving her a genuine understanding of PNG’s people and communities.She is committed to supporting RSPCA PNG by bringing both her professional expertise and personal passion to strengthen governance, operations, and the organisation’s impact on animal welfare across PNG.

Patrick Wright

General Comittee

Patrick is Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking at Westpac PNG. He’s an experienced finance leader with 15+ years in financial markets, corporate banking, strategic planning, and business development across multiple organisations, industries, and international locations. Beyond banking, Patrick is passionate about performance coaching, health and wellbeing, and career development — focused on helping individuals and teams reach their potential. He has a track record of building high-performing environments in both the corporate sector and on the sporting field. Patrick is committed to supporting RSPCA PNG by contributing his commercial expertise, leadership, and governance experience to help drive the organisation’s growth, sustainability, and mission to improve animal welfare across PNG.

Lindzi Swinhoe

General Committee

Lindzi Swinhoe is a fashion designer specializing in sustainable and ethical fashion. Throughout her career, she has been committed to making conscious and responsible choices—values that naturally extend to her passion for animal welfare.

Lindzi is proud to serve on the RSPCA PNG General Committee, an organization that holds a special place in her heart after it assisted with the safe relocation of her dog, Moose, to Papua New Guinea. That experience reinforced her appreciation for the vital services RSPCA PNG provides to the community and strengthened her commitment to supporting its work.

By combining her creative background with a passion for advocacy, Lindzi looks forward to helping RSPCA PNG continue its important mission of protecting, caring for, and improving the welfare of animals throughout Papua New Guinea.

Taimil Taylor

General Committee

Taimil brings a strong mix of legal expertise, policy development, and strategic leadership, with hands-on experience across law and justice, climate change, financial and grants management, and development. She spent much of her career in law and justice, advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system. She’s also worked with large development contractors on financial oversight and operations, with NGOs on climate adaptation for vulnerable communities, and in international development and environmental management supporting Pacific Island Nations alongside CROP agencies and NGOs. Taimil holds a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. She currently serves on the board of St John Ambulance PNG. Proudly from the Baiman Tzenglap tribe in Jiwaka Province, Taimil was born and raised in the Highlands of PNG.

Manilah Apawa

General Committee

Manilah Apawa is an experienced lawyer with over 15 years of practice in both the government and private sectors, specialising in banking regulation, compliance, and governance. She currently serves as Deputy Registrar of Companies (Legal and Compliance). Manilah is passionate about ethical leadership, good governance, and serving the community.As a mother of two girls and a recent adopter of Chester, her rescue dog, she has developed a strong appreciation for the importance of animal welfare. Combining her professional expertise with a genuine love for dogs, she would be honoured to support the organisation’s mission and contribute to the wellbeing of animals in PNG.

Andrew Wong

General Committee

Andrew is the Country Manager for Swire Shipping with global experience in commercial shipping roles. He and his wife Tamsin previously lived in Port Moresby from 2019 to 2022 and returned in January 2026.During their time in PNG, they welcomed Jazz, their five-year-old German Shepherd, and made use of RSPCA PNG’s services including health check-ups, spaying, and export support. While Jazz hasn’t yet returned to PNG, the family remains very animal-focused and are raising their young daughter with a love of animals. Andrew recognises the important role RSPCA PNG plays in animal welfare and would welcome the opportunity to support the organisation’s operational sustainability as a General Committee member.