Foundation’s chairman resign, appreciates experience

Digicel PNG Foundation’s Douveri Henao attended his last meeting as chairman for the board last week.
He had been chairman since 2015.
Henao had encountered the work of Digicel Foundation through the Men of Honour Programme, when he was asked to be a judge in 2014.
He was then asked to consider being the chairman of the foundation board, and took over from Richard Kassman.
On reflection Henao said: “Traversing rivers, impassable ranges and distant atolls, this small foundation team have built hundreds of schools and delivered vital infrastructure to communities that needed it the most.”
“The role of chairman is to facilitate growth. Not in programmes, revenue or scope but in leadership,” Henao said.
“I’ve witnessed Papua New Guineans excel because they have been given the opportunity to explore their creativity, ideas and deepen their passion to bring change.
“I attribute this drive to the corporate culture of Digicel and the leadership of Denis O’Brien, group chairman of Digicel and Maria Mulcahy, Global chair for Philanthropy.”
Digicel Foundation is managed through an independent board which is separate from the company.
Board members of the foundation are made up of staff of Digicel PNG and other independent members.
Foundation chief executive Serena Sasingian said: “Henao’s contribution has been enormous through providing strategic direction and governance oversight to the Foundation.
“He has not only participated in board meetings but has gone out to some of the most remote communities with our foundation team to launch schools and officiate foundation projects,” Sasingian said.
“His network in the business community and in Government has opened doors for us through our various partnerships.
“We will greatly miss his guidance but know he will remain a friend of Digicel Foundation and Digicel as a company.”
In the interim, the Digicel Foundation’s chairman post will be assumed by Digicel’s head of legal and regulatory compliance, Michael Henao, who is currently the public officer of the Digicel Foundation Board.