“O le fuata ma lona lou, o le lou ma lona fuata”. “There is a new harvesting pole for every season of crop”. Vailoa resonates with this Samoan proverb, as she starts her journey with Emerge Aotearoa (2022) in a new role, bringing a wealth of experiences and Pasifika worldview to the executive group. Vailoa has held leadership and Pasifika advisory roles across government, philanthropy, and the not-for-profit sector. She worked at the Department of Internal Affairs for 15 years, in various roles including management and led Pacific strategic projects. At Foundation North, she led the Grant Funding Team and was instrumental in the development of their Pacific Strategy (2014-2019). She served on governance boards and directed targeted initiatives to improve educational, health and social outcomes for Pasifika people. She is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Vailoa ran her own consultancy business and worked with organisations, including Manukau Institute of Technology, Unitec, Signature Homes, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Emerge Aotearoa. She has an MBA from Southern Cross University.
Vailoa’s work is driven by her passion for social justice, equity and service. Serving the Pasifika community in this leadership role, is a “calling” she accepts with respect and humility. “My goal is to foster authentic Pasifika models of care and best practice, to enhance the way we work, with Pasifika people in our service”
A proud Samoan woman from the villages of Solosolo, Luatuanu’u, Vailoa Aleipata and Leone Amerika Samoa, she is excited about what the future holds!