Mrs Debbie Sorensen, recipient of the Pacific Business Executive Award at the 2016 Pacific Business Trust Awards with proud husband Pete Cann.
The winners in the national Pacific Business Trust Awards have been named Friday evening, 28 October including Pasifika Medical Association Chief Executive Debbie Sorensen who took out the Pacific Business Executive Award title.
Mrs Sorensen a health strategist and management expert has been recognised for her efforts to support vulnerable Pacific families and her work in the Pacific health sector in New Zealand and in the Pacific region.
“It’s a great honour. I’m very humble about this whole process, but very honoured,” Mrs Sorensen said.
“I am however extremely privileged to join the distinguished company of Pacific business men and women who have done great work in the New Zealand business sector.”
“I was in a pool with absolutely incredible individuals with exceptional business and entrepreneurial skills with track record of successful leadership and innovation.”
“It was truly wonderful to be recognised and I am privileged to be part of the awards and our work will continue to serve and inspire the Pacific families in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.”
Mrs Sorensen played a leading role in the establishment of the Pacific health sector in New Zealand and continues to be active in the region in delivering specialist health services and building workforce capacity and capability in partnership with Ministries of Health in the Pacific region.
In 2011 Mrs Sorensen was awarded a prestigious ANIVA Fellowship which enabled her to travel to Harvard to undertake additional executive development study. In 2015 Debbie was presented with the Royal Order Crown of Tonga Dame Commander by His Majesty King Tupou VI in recognition of her services to the people of Tonga.
Mrs Sorensen is also the Chief Executive of Pasifika Futures, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for Pacific families in New Zealand, Director of international consultancy firm Health Specialists Ltd and Chair of “Make a Wish” Pacific.
The awards was held on Friday, 28 October 2016 at the Langham Hotel in Auckland, also marks the 30 years since the establishment of the Pacific Business Trust.
The 2016 Pacific Business Trust Awards winners are:
- Pacific Innovation Award – Corefusion
- Pacific Social Enterprise Award – Cook Island Development Agency NZ
- Pacific Business Employer Award – The Fono
- Pacific Business Exporter Award – Marinelogix
- Pacific Business Enterprise Award – Connect Global
- Pacific Business Entrepreneur Award – Stan Wolfgramm, Drum Productions
- Pacific Woman in Business Award – Nalini Baruch, Lot Eight
- Pacific Business Executive Award – Debbie Sorensen, Pasifika Futures Ltd & Pasifika Medical Association
- Supreme Award – Global Connect