About Us
Who We Are
The Collective Empowerment Foundation is a university student-led charity dedicated to empowering some of the most isolated communities on Earth. Our founder Mazzo and co-founder, Kai, have built Collective Empowerment Foundation as a platform whereby individuals can contribute directly to the development of some of the most remote places in our world in a effective manner. Our mission is to deliver essential resources, build sustainable infrastructure, and foster economic self-reliance in remote communities from the highlands of Papua New Guinea to the Congo basin and beyond. Overall the principle purpose of the Collective Empowerment Foundation is to deliver development and humanitarian assistance to the most remote and isolated places in the world, one community at a time.
Mazzo Bineng
CEO, director & Co-Founder
Mazzo is currently in the final year of his economics degree at the Australian National University. As the Chief Executive Officer of CEF Mazzo is responsible for leading the foundation towards achieving its objectives and goals. Being from one of the most remote communities in the world, the Star Mountains of Papua New Guinea, and educated in some of Australia’s most prestigious academic institutions, Mazzo wants to utilize his education and experiences to empower communities around the world.
- Australian National University Bachelor of Economics
Kai Hang
Coo, Director & Co-Founder
Kai is responsible for the day to day operations and logistical management side of the charity. Since our expeditions venture into some of the most challenging and remote regions in the world it inherently requires complex planning, Kai makes sure that our team is able to achieve what CEF intend to achieve in a safe and cost-effective way. Having significant experience in the outdoors and spending more than 3 months in the Papua New Guinea rainforests in the past two years, Kai brings strong leadership to the team when we travel to remote regions.
- Australian National University Bachelor of Commerce Double Majoring in Marketing and Management
- The University of Sydney Master of Commerce Majoring in Strategy, Innovation and Management
- The University of Melbourne Master of Management
Salome Bill
Chief Development Officer (CDO)
Salome is a dedicated community and international development professional with over six years of experience working both full-time in Papua New Guinea and part-time in Melbourne, Australia. Her expertise lies in designing and implementing high-impact development initiatives that address the unique needs of remote and underserved communities. As a critical member of the CEF, Salome plays an instrumental role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction. She is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of past projects, ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into future initiatives. Salome’s strategic planning capabilities help CEF develop projects that maximize community impact, tailored specifically to the needs and challenges of the populations they serve. Salome’s commitment to sustainable development and her deep understanding of local contexts make her an invaluable asset to CEF, driving forward the foundation’s mission to empower some of the most isolated communities in the world.
- University of Melbourne: Master of Development Studies
- University of Papua New Guinea: Bachelor of Arts Degree (Political Science and Public Policy Management Specialisation)
Dr Jeffery Noro
director
Dr. Jeffery Noro was the former Director for Policy at the Papua New Guinea Science and Technology Council and Secretariat during 2015 to 2021. He has been instrumental in shaping Papua New Guinea’s Science, Technology, and Innovation policy, with a particular focus on integrating science into sustainable development. His work primarily involves discovering drug-like compounds from marine natural products, aiming for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications.
- The University of Melbourne: Honorary Fellow
- The University of New South Wales: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marine Biotechnology
- University of Papua New Guinea: Master of Medical Sciences, Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- PNG University of Technology: Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc), Applied Chemistry
- University of Adelaide: Graduate Certificate, International Trade and Development
- Australian Institute of Management: Diploma in Business Management, Business Administration and Management
Doris Ma
Director
Doris Ma is the Founder and Operations Director of the Australian International College of English, as well as the founder of Ximi Media and Indulgence Magazine. Alongside her prominent roles in media and education, Doris serves as a Director for the CEF, where her strategic vision, leadership, and advisory expertise are instrumental in advancing the foundation’s mission of empowering remote communities worldwide. Drawing on her extensive experience, Doris provides invaluable guidance to CEF in shaping its strategic direction, particularly in key areas such as outreach, communication, project evaluation, and financial stewardship. Her expertise not only strengthens CEF’s operational capabilities but also enhances its long-term impact, positioning Doris as a crucial leader in the foundation’s ongoing success.
- The University of Sydney: Bachelor of Arts
Alessandro Rocco Prestia
CTO & Director
Alessandro is responsible for assessing the implementation of our initiatives, ensuring that we are utilizing all that the modern technological world has to offer in order to provide the maximum effectiveness in our projects. This includes assessing what types items to donate, what forms of infrastructure to install, as well as how we should do it in the most efficient and cost effective way. His experience in founding Educate Academy, a youth education company brings valuable expirence and insight to the organization on how we can improve educational initiatives within CEF.
- The University of Sydney Bachelor of Commerce
Jie Ren
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Jie Ren is currently pursuing a Master of Accounting at the University of Melbourne, bringing her strong academic foundation and analytical skills to the CEF. As a pivotal member of the CEF team, Jie oversees the financial accounting and management processes, ensuring that the organization meets its financial obligations and complies with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) requirements. Jie’s role is crucial in maintaining transparency and accountability within CEF. She is responsible for implementing and managing effective financial tracking systems, allowing CEF to monitor its financial activities with precision. Her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to financial integrity ensure that CEF operates efficiently, enabling the organization to maximize its impact on the communities it serves. Jie’s dedication to excellence in financial management is an asset to CEF, supporting the foundation’s mission to empower remote communities through sustainable and well-managed initiatives.
- University of Melbourne: Master of Accounting
- Liaoning University: Bachelor of Arts
Ben Imbardelli
General Secretary
Ben is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce/Law at the Australian National University. As the general secretary of the organization Ben supports the board of directors to ensure the company is compliant with the relevant corporate legislation and record keeping requirements. Furthermore, Ben provides invaluable contribution to the organization as he is the representative that connects everyone to the board of directors.
- The Australian National University: Bachelor of Commerce/Law