Board of Directors & Executive Management
Our Board of Directors & Executive Management
Ken Poon BComm, GDipAdvAcc
Chairman
Ken Poon is the Senior Audit Manager of Sinton Spence Chartered Accountants, Papua New Guinea’s largest independent firm.
Ken was appointed as Chairman of the Mahogany Finance Board in September 2023.
Ken holds a Bachelor Commerce with a major in accounting from James Cook University of North Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Accounting from University of Queensland.
Ken has over 30 years experience in audit assurance, corporate and taxation compliance.
James Sinton Spence MBE, ACA, ACPAPNG
Director
Sinton Spence is the Principal of Sinton Spence Chartered Accountants which has been established since November 1987 and is one of Papua New Guinea’s largest independent accountancy firms.
Sinton was appointed as a director of Mahogany Finance in April 2021.
Sinton graduated from the University of Aston in Birmingham, England with an honours degree in Administrative Science. He is admitted as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and is as a member of the Certified Practising Accountants, Papua New Guinea.
He has extensive business and commercial experience in Papua New Guinea. He is a former director of Telikom, Pacific Mobile and Kalang. He is currently Chairman of Adyton Resources, a Canadian listed company. He is a trustee of the RSPCA and holds a number of directorships in privately owned companies.
Chris McKeown
Director
Chris McKeown is a career banker with over 50 years’ experience in the banking and finance industry and has worked in Papua New Guinea for 26 years.
Chris was appointed as a Director to the Mahogany Finance Board in April 2021.
Chris has been Managing Director of National Finance Ltd since 2014. Prior to taking up his current role he was the owner/manager of a Bank of Queensland franchise in Keperra, Brisbane, Qld for 10 years. He has also held senior management roles with Bank South Pacific and National Australia Bank.
Beatrice Mahuru OBE
Independent Director
Beatrice Mahuru, a journalist by training, is a seasoned communications specialist with extensive experience in public relations and marketing, offering a unique development perspective to the corporate landscape.
Beatrice was appointed as an independent director to the Mahogany Finance Board in September 2023.
She is the first Papua New Guinean to be appointed to the Pacific Community (SPC) Audit and Risk Committee and the Australian Doctors International (ADI) Board. Additionally, she has served on the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Interim Council and the National Gaming Control Board.
As the pioneering Papua New Guinean CEO of Digicel PNG Foundation, Beatrice successfully led the foundation to enhance access to education and health in rural and remote communities of Papua New Guinea.
Beatrice’s work has been recognised both nationally and internationally, earning her the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the June 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List for her services to the private sector.
Jeff Undah FCPA, MAICD
Independent Director
Jeff Undah (FCPA) is an experienced executive and director with over 20 years of expertise in financial services, strategic planning, and executive leadership.
Jeff was appointed as an independent director to the Mahogany Finance Board in February 2024.
Jeff is currently the Principal of JKU Chartered Accountants, providing strategic guidance, financial audits, risk assessments and financial advisory services to a diverse client base. He has served in significant roles at Credit Corporation (PNG) Limited, Kina Bank Limited, and Westpac Bank (PNG) Limited. His professional skills include governance, risk management, compliance, project management, and digital transformation.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Accounting and a Diploma in Commerce from the University of Papua New Guinea. He is also a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant (FCPA).
Terry Hall
CEO
Terry Hall was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in March 2023 and oversees the day-to-day operations of the company.
With over 40 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, Terry has held a wide range of roles within the sector. His extensive career includes senior management positions in Papua New Guinea with National Finance, Kina Bank, Kina Finance, and Bank South Pacific. Additionally, he has served in senior roles with several reputable banking institutions in Australia.
Terry brings over 28 years of experience in Papua New Guinea, possessing a profound understanding and knowledge of the business market in the region.
He is also a General Committee Member of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce Executive team.
Aileen Aisi
Company Secretary
Aileen Aisi has been employed by Mahogany Finance since April 2023 and is the company’s Administration Officer. Ms Aisi manages the company’s core banking system, product development and all IT systems enhancements.
Aileen was appointed as Company Secretary for Mahogany Finance in September 2023.
Prior to joining Mahogany Finance Aileen held administrative roles with International SOS (Niugini) Ltd.
Our Management Team
Dave Wenham
Chief Risk Officer
Dave joined Mahogany Finance in September 2023.
In addition to the Chief Risk Officer responsibilities, Dave also undertakes the responsibilities of Credit Manager for the company.
His experience spans over all areas of banking specialising in AML/KYC Compliance & Operational Risk Management, Credit and Risk Management, Business Relationships and Networks, Training and Development and Loan Management and Debt Recovery.
Dave brings with him substantial experience in the finance industry in Papua New Guinea.
Tony Valdez
Financial Controller
Tony joined Mahogany Finance in August 2023.
Tony is a Magna Cum Laude graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Accounting from the Lyceum of the Philippines University, is a member of the Philippine Institute of CPA’s (PICPA) and CPA PNG.
Tony has worked in Papua New Guinea for over 26 years serving in numerous FC roles and is a Life Member of the Filipino Association of PNG, Inc. (FAPNG).
Beatrice Tigere
Manager Audit
Beatrice joined Mahogany Finance in August 2023.
Beatrice brings with her over 11 years international experience in Auditing, Financial and Management Accounting.
Beatrice holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Johannesburg, a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences and is an Australian registered Certified Practicing Accountant .
Lynette Whitchurch
Manager Corporate Services
Lynette joined Mahogany Finance in August 2023.
Lynette has over 25 years management experience across many industry sectors in additional to her career in banking and finance both in PNG and overseas.
Lynette holds a Certificate IV in Frontline Management from the Institute of Financial Services Inc., Australia and is currently undertaking studies at the Australian Institute of Business, South Australia for her Master’s in Business Administration.