Best Young Director
James Popo Gore
James Popo Gore is the winner of the Young Director of the Year award. James is 35 years old, married to Javero Kefe and father to Marjorie (12) and Remijius(7). He is a proud Papua New Guinean who did all his academic studies in PNG. He has over 12 years of work experience having worked for PwC for over 10 years (two years in Brisbane, Australia and over eight years in PNG.) He has been the Principal of Gore Accountants & Business Advisors (GABA) since October 2009 (less than two years). He established GABA after leaving his employment with PwC in September 2003. "I am really grateful and motivated by the award. When you are committed and determined to achieve something then you need to go for it. You can't sit back and wait for it." James is also either a director or company secretary of a number of companies including being previously selected and participated on the NASFUND Board as a Trainee Director. He has significant experience in providing auditing, accounting, compliance and business advisory services to clients in a wide range of industries/sectors in both Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Innovative Company
Digicel
Upon receiving the award, Digicel's Commercial Director Lorna McPherson said Digicel was all about using technology to change the country. "I thank the Institute of PNG Directors for this award. I also thank the hardworking team at Digicel. Digicel will continue to deliver quality products and services to its customers.' Since 2007, when they first launched services in PNG, Digicel has transformed the telecommunications landscape in Papua New Guinea by making mobile communication affordable and accessible to everyone for the first time. They have established one of the best known brands in PNG renowned for inexpensive and stylishly functional products, competitive rates, superior customer care and innovative services.

Female Director
Dr Cecilia Nembou
Dr. Cecelia Nembou has been awarded the Female Director of the Year for 2011. Dr. Nembou, a strong advocate of good governance, is an Associate Professor of Management and Vice President of the Divine Word University. "I am honoured to be given the award. It's quite an honour to be recognised. And I thank everyone who has supported me throughout the years," said Dr. Nembou. Dr. Nembou has held academic and senior managerial positions both in the country and overseas. As an academic at the University of Papua New Guinea for 25 years, she was a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics, Head of the Mathematics Department, Executive Dean of the School of Natural and Physical Sciences, Pro Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor. She was also one of the initial members of the PNG Institute of Directors. Before joining the Divine Word University in 2005, she was at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where she was the Academic Registrar and Assistant Professor in Mathematics. Dr. Cecelia Nembou is from the Manus Province and holds a PhD in Operations Research from the University of New South Wales, Australia. She also has a Master of Science in Operations Research from Sussex University (UK), a Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics from the Canberra College of Advanced Education (Aus) and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Papua New Guinea. Apart from these, she has also attended numerous professional and personnel development short courses in corporate governance, strategic planning and management, quality assurance, customer service and marketing management. Whilst with the Divine Word University, Dr. Cecelia Nembou is also responsible for the development of the University's Port Moresby Campus..

Male Director
Peter Maiden
Post PNG's Chief Executive Officer Peter Maiden is the winner of the 2011 Male Director of the Year. Mr. Maiden said he was honoured to accept the award. "One only has to reflect on the prior chosen subjects who have been awarded this position to know what a true honour it is to be invited into the club." A Business Analyst with years of Industry experience, he specialises in Turnaround Management and Performance Improvement, Project and Change Management, Audits, Investigations and Due Diligence for Valuations. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales (Aus), is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Aus), the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the PNG Institute of Directors. Apart from this, Mr. Maiden also plays directive roles in the Business Council of PNG and the PNG Business Coalition Against HIV & AIDS (BAHA). Peter Maiden joined Post PNG ten years ago when it was put into Interim Liquidation. And as he reflects on those years, what was clear to him then and still central to success he believes are Employee Morale and Self Esteem and Customer Trust and Confidence. He also shares three other factors which he believes are essential to individual and entity success. These factors uplifted from GridWorks, a leadership tool was adapted from The Power to Change by Rachel McKee and Bruce Carlson and introduced to him and the Post PNG management team by a Lady Helen O'Sullivan in 2010. To quote "The hallmarks of today's top performers are: 1.Willingness to Embrace Change : Creating an environment where people have the ability to take decisive action even when the future is unsure. 2.Courage and Skill to Solve Conflict : Recognising and surfacing differences as a key ingredient to creativity and encouraging respect for one another as critical to resolving them productively. 3.Awareness of Self and Others : Understanding your attitudes and behaviours and their impact on other's ability to work collaboratively." Unquote Mr. Maiden deems these attributes as valuable and says could be considered when looking at further developing the criteria for choosing a Director of the Year, be it in part, in the creation of a better future.