Buk bilong Pikinini Board of Directors
Chairman - Anne-Sophie Hermann - Founder of Buk bilong Pikinini and Canberra Office Director
Anne-Sophie Hermann had the idea to establish children's libraries in Papua New Guinea and founded Buk bilong Pikinini in 2007 together with Anna Mukerjee (see below). Anne-Sophie opened five libraries before leaving PNG in 2009 and has since then managed the Canberra office. Anne-Sophie returns to PNG 5-6 times a year to open libraries, attend board meetings , to meet with donors and assist with fundraising events. She has a full time continual involvement with the Port Moresby office and is trying to gain support for Buk bilong Pikinini name across Australia.
For a more detailed profile please see administration.
Vice-Chair - Stephen Massa - Partner at Dentons
Dentons Lawyers have been supporting Buk bilong Pikinini in both PNG and Australia for a number of years and are now Silver Sponsors of the organisation. Stephen Massa has helped us redraft our constitution and provided most valuable legal advice on a number of occasions.
Director - Rosemary Mawe - Manager Bank of South Pacific Rosemary Mawe is a Retail Manager in Training at BSP First and has been providing great advice and representing the Bank of South Pacific since 2014. BbP has established three libraries thanks to the generous support from BSP.
Director - Vanessa Kerton - CEO at madNess Photography Vanessa was a member of the first BbP Committee of volunteers and has been taking thousands great photography for BbP at library openings, events and of children learning. Many of Vanessa's images have been used on this website, social media and in brochures and reports produced by the organisation.
Laura Gould - Steamships Trading Company - General Manager Corporate Affairs
Steamships Trading Company is Buk bilong Pikinini's first corporate donor and has sponsored 3 libraries in Port Moresby, Lae and Goroka making the company a Platinum Sponsor. David Toua is a great supporter of Buk bilong Pikinini.
Allyson Young - Owner of Recruitment Agency Select PNG
Allyson sits on the board as the representative for the Six Mile Library sponsored by Heboul and the Nine Mile Library sponsored by Monier. Allyson is from Port Moresby and is "passionate about the education and personal development of children in PNG particularly those who live in remote areas and children who are less fortunate than others".
Treasurer - Julie Hartshorn - Senior Manager Sinton & Spence Chartered Accountants
Julie Hartshorn was elected Treasurer at the June 2014 AGM. Julie Hartshorn assists BbP with financial advice and oversight.
Honorary members
Anna Mukerjee - co-founder of Buk bilong Pikinini
Anna co-founded Buk bilong Pikinini together with Anne-Sophie and drew on her extensive experience from Africa to help shape the organisation.
Anna is now living in the US with her husband and children. Anna remains supportive of Buk bilong Pikinini affairs.
