Youth Networks

HomeYouth NetworksCommonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Pacific (CAYE Pacific) 
See all networks
Youth Networks
Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Pacific (CAYE Pacific) 
Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC)
Commonwealth Students Association (CSA)
Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN)
Commonwealth Alliance for Youth Entrepreneurs (CAYE)
Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN)
Commonwealth Youth Health Network (CYHN)
Commonwealth Youth Human Rights & Democracy Network (CYHRDN)
Commonwealth Youth Gender Equality Network (CYGEN)
Commonwealth Youth Sport Developer & Peace Working Group (CYSDP)
Commonwealth Children & Youth Disability Network (CCYDN)
Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation Network (CYSU)
Commonwealth Correspondents

Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Pacific (CAYE Pacific) 

Who we are

CAYE Pacific prides itself on being a youth-led organisation for young future business leaders. We firmly believe that young entrepreneurs should have a leading voice in shaping their own future. We actively engage young people in decision-making processes, enabling them to drive the direction of our organisation and initiatives. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that all young entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, feel welcomed and supported within our community. We strive to create an environment that celebrates diversity, fosters collaboration and empowers youth to unlock their full potential.

What we do

CAYE Pacific is dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs within the Commonwealth of Nations Pacific region through our distinctive approach to volunteer work. Our organisation stands apart from other youth organisations in the region by focusing on policy analysis and recommendations for improvement to governments and administrations, serving as a vital hub for accessing information, services and support, as well as connecting innovative and deserving young entrepreneurs in the region to local/ international recognition events and investment opportunities.

We aim to support our young entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform for:

  • Leadership, Policy & Advocacy;
  • Business Skills;
  • Events & Awards; and
  • Resources, Alliances and investment opportunities.

Value Proposition and Organisational Structure

Fostering Cross-Country Collaboration, Policy Analysis and Recommendations and a Youth-Led and Inclusive Approach are key to CAYE Pacific’s operations. This document guides CAYE Pacific’s operations across the Commonwealth.

Our Team

Currently led by an eight member executive, CAYE Pacific aims to provide a platform specifically tailored to the needs of youth entrepreneurs in the Pacific, fostering collaboration and empowering their voices across the eleven member countries of the Commonwealth’s Pacific region.

The current CAYE Pacific Executive Committee members are as follows:

  • Chairperson: Mr. Alexander Andrić (Australia)
  • Vice-Chair: Mr. Zachary Harrigan (Australia)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Bradley Yombon-Copio (Papua New Guinea)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Kevin Chuster (Samoa)
  • Executive Committee Member: Miss Kim Nguyen (Australia)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Best Apisit Uthakhamkong (New Zealand)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Tevita Rakula (Fiji)
  • Executive Committee Member: Miss Sakshi Thakur (Australia)
Chairperson
Alexander Andrić

Alexander Andric is a dynamic and ambitious young professional in the field of project management, as well as a passionate entrepreneur. With a project management consultancy that he co-started, he has set out on a mission to make a positive impact in the Commonwealth’s Pacific region by supporting and guiding young entrepreneurs.

Vice-Chair
Zachary Harrigan

Zachary Harrigan is an exceptional young leader and entrepreneur with a proven track record in the Australian Government Sector. With a wealth of experience as a management consultant, Zac has seamlessly navigated his way through various roles in both prominent global consulting firms and specialised boutique firms. His impressive portfolio not only includes successfully managing corporate services but also managing large-scale programs and showcasing his expertise in project management.

His commitment to delivering exceptional results with a keen focus on people, strategy, and end-to-end project delivery as well as his passion for collaboration has led him to join the CAYE Pacific, an esteemed community of aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals.
By sharing his own experiences and soaking up insights from others, he seeks to further expand his knowledge, leverage collective wisdom, and make a meaningful impact. Driven by a genuine desire to help others, Zachary is committed to contributing his expertise, while continuously learning and evolving alongside fellow entrepreneurs.

Executive Committee Member
Kevin Chuster

Kevin has been a youth leader and advocate for slightly over a decade now.  He is currently the Chair for Samoa National Youth Council and is also currently running Samoa’s only full-fledged Marketing and Communications company, EMD Co.Ltd, a business he launched 9 years ago. 

He is passionate about youth development and with his entrepreneurial background, youth employment and entrepreneurship have always been among his key areas of focus. Kevin in his role as SNYC Chair and also prior to that have enabled many Samoan young people to have secured employment – both short and long term. 

It is  an absolute pleasure to be one of the founding members for the CAYE Pacific and looking forward to working with other youth leaders from around the Pacific on this incredible project. 

Executive Committee Member
Bradley Yombon-Copio

Bradley graduated in 2022 from the University of Papua New Guinea Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Field of Dental Surgery. He serves as the University of Papua New Guinea’s first Student Council President from the Medical School. He has accumulated many years of Youth and student Leadership. He is passionate about Education and Health care and does his very best in raising awareness plus being involved in programs. He does volunteer work and outreach with the PNG Cancer Foundation and contributes to regional Consultations on education with UNESCO and other development partners.

Bradley currently serves as the Commonwealth Students Association Pacific Regional Representative and participates in numerous international engagements such as the 2022 Global Peoples Summit, UNESCO Report on Higher Education and most recently as the Pacific Student and Civil Society Organization Representative at the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers Meeting (CPEM).

He also has a deep understanding in Management and Leadership, international engagements, project delivery and management and broad understanding from governance, international events, seminars and projects. Having delivered small to large scale events, advocacy projects and panel discussions on politically sensitive issues of national Interest.
He is passionate about advancing Health from a policy and governance perspective and keen to learn given any opportunity. Bradley is also an aspiring Entrepreneur with a private Consulting firm that looks to help young people in business startups and managing projects.

Executive Committee Member
Kim Nguyen

Kim Nguyen is a community lawyer and social entrepreneur who is passionate about human rights, innovation and community engagement. She is the operations manager at Catalysr – a startup accelerator program supporting migrant and refugees entrepreneurs, and is the founder of Intrigue Lab – a civic innovation lab and consultancy that delivers projects on community-centred innovation. She is also a board member with ASEAN – Australia Strategic Youth Partnerships and involved with Vietnamese Australia Forum and Global Shapers – WEF. Kim is excited to be supporting the development of CAYE to create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-exchange amongst entrepreneurs across Australia and the Pacific.

Executive Committee Member
Best Apisit Uthakhamkong

Best Apisit is a dedicated individual committed to personal growth, bringing expertise in Communication Design, Brand Strategy, Leadership, and Creativity. With exceptional problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of peacebuilding principles, he aspires to make a significant and positive impact on the world. Best is the founder and president of The Peace Club (Trust) in New Zealand, where he actively leads marketing campaigns, develops social media content, and organizes impactful events. This youth-led organization is devoted to fostering peace, love, and compassion in communities. Through inspiring and empowering initiatives, Best’s organization aims to create a more harmonious and equitable world, recognizing the transformative power of youth in leading positive change for future generations.

Executive Committee Member
Tevita Rakula

My name is Tevita Mikaele Rakula and I am a 25-year-old environmental health professional from the beautiful islands of Fiji. My journey has taken me from the classrooms of the Fiji National University to the skies with Fiji Airways, with every step contributing to my personal and professional growth. My unique blend of expertise in environmental health, occupational safety, and aviation risk management makes me a versatile professional capable of handling diverse responsibilities and challenges.

I studied Environmental Health at Fiji National University, a field that aligns with my love for our planet and my concern for maintaining its health. After I graduated in 2021, I began working as a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Officer. This role allowed me to implement key environmental health principles and work closely with rural communities and schools, a rewarding experience that deepened my commitment to my field.

Later in 2021, my role evolved into a dual position as a WASH Officer/Technical Officer for Eye and Ears Screening at Project HEAVEN Trust. This opportunity expanded my skills, and I found great satisfaction in making a difference in people’s lives, especially in the areas of vision and hearing health.

My career took to the skies in 2022 when I accepted a position as a Customer Wellness Champion at Fiji Airways. This role was a unique fusion of my environmental health background and my newly acquired skills in aviation risk management, which I studied at SouthPac Aerospace. As a first responder to any medical emergencies on international flights, I also utilized the skills I gained from the Inflight Medical Emergency First Aid Train the Trainer course and the Complaint Resolution Official Train the Trainer course, both completed through MedAire.

My time at Fiji Airways further sparked my interest in occupational health and safety (OHS). This led me to pursue a Diploma in OHS while simultaneously serving as the Workplace Safety Coordinator for Fiji Airways since December 2022. In this role, I apply my diverse knowledge and skills to ensure safety and wellness on a large scale.

Besides environmental health and aviation safety, I have a strong passion for education and youth empowerment. This passion has led me to complete a Train the Trainer course at Fiji National University. This qualification allows me to conduct workshops and training sessions, equipping me with the essential tools to inspire and guide the youth in their journey towards achieving their goals.

In addition to my formal education and work experience, I have taken part in numerous courses and conferences, both virtual and face-to-face. These experiences have expanded my understanding of climate change, safety, health, leadership, management, and administration. I also had the privilege of representing my university at the Commonwealth Summer School in 2021, a valuable experience that broadened my international exposure and perspective.

I believe in being a life-long learner and always strive for personal and professional development. I am goal-oriented and relish new challenges, as they provide opportunities for growth. My journey so far has been filled with diverse experiences, each one contributing to my development and shaping me into a well-rounded professional.

My aim is to continue empowering youths, promoting wellness, and contributing to a healthier, safer environment. I am excited about the future and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in my journey of personal and professional growth.

Executive Committee Member
Sakshi Thakur

Sakshi Thakur is the founder and CEO of Humanism, a social enterprise that aspires to eliminate global poverty—one job at a time. Founded in 2018, the initiative employs women who face social and economic barriers to safe employment in Pondicherry, South India. The women hand make wholesale textile merchandise and retail products for Australian and international events and stores.

Sakshi is also a Manager at SENVIC (Social Enterprise Network Victoria) working towards supporting social enterprises thrive in Victoria, and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at Catalysr supporting migrants and refugees building businesses and startups. Prior to this, Sakshi studied Biomedical Science and Commerce, worked at EY in Finance for a few years, then pursued further study with the Masters of Entrepreneurship at Melbourne Business School where she worked on her first tech startup. Through all her work, her mission is to see an equitable world that leaves no human behind.

Contact info
Share

How to join

If you are interested in helping set up Commonwealth networks focused on health or peace-building, please contact the Secretariat’s Youth Division for information about ways to contribute.

Sign up today

Who we are

CAYE Pacific prides itself on being a youth-led organisation for young future business leaders. We firmly believe that young entrepreneurs should have a leading voice in shaping their own future. We actively engage young people in decision-making processes, enabling them to drive the direction of our organisation and initiatives. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that all young entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, feel welcomed and supported within our community. We strive to create an environment that celebrates diversity, fosters collaboration and empowers youth to unlock their full potential.

What we do

CAYE Pacific is dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs within the Commonwealth of Nations Pacific region through our distinctive approach to volunteer work. Our organisation stands apart from other youth organisations in the region by focusing on policy analysis and recommendations for improvement to governments and administrations, serving as a vital hub for accessing information, services and support, as well as connecting innovative and deserving young entrepreneurs in the region to local/ international recognition events and investment opportunities.

We aim to support our young entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform for:

  • Leadership, Policy & Advocacy;
  • Business Skills;
  • Events & Awards; and
  • Resources, Alliances and investment opportunities.

Value Proposition and Organisational Structure

Fostering Cross-Country Collaboration, Policy Analysis and Recommendations and a Youth-Led and Inclusive Approach are key to CAYE Pacific’s operations. This document guides CAYE Pacific’s operations across the Commonwealth.

Our Team

Currently led by an eight member executive, CAYE Pacific aims to provide a platform specifically tailored to the needs of youth entrepreneurs in the Pacific, fostering collaboration and empowering their voices across the eleven member countries of the Commonwealth’s Pacific region.

The current CAYE Pacific Executive Committee members are as follows:

  • Chairperson: Mr. Alexander Andrić (Australia)
  • Vice-Chair: Mr. Zachary Harrigan (Australia)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Bradley Yombon-Copio (Papua New Guinea)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Kevin Chuster (Samoa)
  • Executive Committee Member: Miss Kim Nguyen (Australia)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Best Apisit Uthakhamkong (New Zealand)
  • Executive Committee Member: Mr. Tevita Rakula (Fiji)
  • Executive Committee Member: Miss Sakshi Thakur (Australia)

Begin your search here