Join us on Thursday 23 February, 6pm, to hear the career pathways and cultural journeys of successful Pasifika professionals. We will have networking drinks and catering after the panel discussion.
We are excited to have a diverse and stellar panel of speakers to share with you.
To RSVP for this event, please register your interest to info@pacificpn.com. Please include your full name, job title, work place and consider becoming a member which you can do on our website.
As space is limited, we will provide spots on a first come first served basis and we will confirm your place with a calendar invite and confirmation email.
Our Speakers
Lusiano Afeaki, Co-Founder & Co-Owner @ Gym Industry incl. Crunch Fitness & UFC Gym
Angela Pale, Senior Associate - Health @ HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Mike Baukes, Co-Founder & CEO @ UpGuard Cybersecurity
Learn more about our Speakers
Lusiano Afeaki, Co-Founder & Co-Owner @ Gym Industry incl. Crunch Fitness & UFC Gym
Lusiano Afeaki is a Tongan national who has, over the last two decades, helped form some of the most outstanding brands in fitness. Initially based in Asia for 10 years, Lusiano is the Co-Owner and Co-founder of New Evolution Ventures Australia (NEVA). Currently, as the Chief Operating Officer, he oversees the club operations and revenue production in Sales and Personal Training and in his capacity as Co-Owner, he focuses on leading the growth and expansion for Crunch Fitness in Australia.
In 2007, the first club was opened in the heart of Sydney CBD with a revolutionary concept that won best gym accolades for 5 years in a row. Since then he has introduced high profile gym brands to the market including Crunch Fitness, Hard Candy Fitness (by Madonna) and UFC Gym. Crunch Fitness, a New York based company of over 30 years, has been the most successful brand for NEVA which currently owns 17 Crunch Fitness clubs across NSW and Victoria.
Crunch Fitness strives to provide its members with more than just a fitness experience. It is about creating a diverse community of real people who seek to encourage, empower, and entertain.
Lusiano played professional rugby union and rugby league in New Zealand and Hong Kong.He represented Wellington in the New Zealand rugby league competition as well as representing both New Zealand Universities and Tongan Universities. He finished his rugby union career in Hong Kong and represented Hong Kong on the International stage.
Lusiano has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies from Massey University in New Zealand.
Angela Pale, Senior Associate - Health @ HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Angela Pale gained her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) from Western Sydney University, Australia. She then obtained a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law in New South Wales, Australia, and was admitted as a Legal Practitioner in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia, in 2014.
With a high level of experience working for various government regulatory authorities and now a top-tier commercial law firm, Angela's expertise focuses on defending complex professional conduct and administrative law matters including Health Care Complaints Commission, NSW Medical Council and AHPRA investigations, Coronial Inquests, Medicare investigations and Hospital based investigations.
Separate to this work, Angela maintains active involvement with Probono clinics including the Australian Centre for Disability Law and Marrickville Legal Centre. Angela is the Vice President of the Pacific Legal Association of NSW and a Member of the Law Society of NSW's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Angela became the first lawyer in her family (and wider family) and is a proud member of the Pasifika Community with roots from Vaini and Nukunuku in Tonga; and Ba located in Fiji. Angela is incredibly passionate about mentoring younger members of the Pasifika and wider community.
Mike Baukes, Co-Founder & CEO @ UpGuard Cybersecurity
Mike Baukes is the Co-founder and CEO of UpGuard, headquartered in Hobart, Australia with distributed teams across APAC, SEA, N America and EMEA.
UpGuard is a cybersecurity company that uses first and third-party cybersecurity ratings to prevent data breaches and improve your security posture. To date the company has raised USD$47 million from top tier Venture Capital firms in Australia and the US, including SquarePeg, Valar, Pelion and August Capital, whilst maintaining profitability.
UpGuard's cybersecurity research has also been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, Gizmodo and Engadget and counts global customers such as Apple, Fidelity, Vanguard & IAG as customers.
Prior to founding UpGuard in 2012, Mike worked in senior technology and Merger & Acquisition roles for financial institutions such as ANZ, Lloyds Banking Group, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, leading teams in technology strategy and execution.
Mike is a Pacific Islander, who went to school both in Samoa & Australia, and regularly returns to Samoa to see his parents and wider family. He is also an obsessive guitar player.