Our Team

Board of Advisors/ Directors

Mr. Joel Abraham - Executive Director

Joel Abraham is the Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Regulatory Centre (APRC) and has been a recognized leader in economic regulation, market competition, and consumer protection across the Pacific region. Mr. Abraham brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to APRC having dedicated his career to the regulatory sector helping to foster competition, ensuring market transparency, and protecting the interests of consumers and businesses. His professional experience spans regulatory compliance, finance, and business advisory roles across Australia, Fiji, and Tonga, providing him with a nuanced understanding of industry dynamics and regulatory frameworks. He has successfully navigated complex regulatory landscapes, advocating for fair competition and consumer rights, while spearheading projects in collaboration with international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Market Development Facility (MDF). His work has contributed significantly to regional economic development initiatives and regulatory reform efforts. Mr. Abraham’s academic background includes studies in Accounting, Finance, Public Law, International Relations, and Climate Change, culminating in two master’s degrees, three postgraduate qualifications, and a bachelor’s degree in commerce. His leadership and contributions to regulatory excellence have been recognized with numerous awards, including the AI Global Media Ltd CEO Monthly Innovative Leader for Regulation & Consumer Protection 2024 (South Pacific), the Business Excellence President Level Award, and honors from Women in Business Fiji. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Office of Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance (OPERA) and Chair of the Economic Regulatory Stream for the Pacific Island Network of Competition, Consumer, and Economic Regulators (PINCCER). Through these roles, Mr. Abraham continues to champion regional cooperation, regulatory innovation, and sustainable economic growth across the Asia-Pacific.

Ms. Lorraine H. Akiba - Board Advisor

Lorraine H. Akiba is President/CEO of LHA Ventures. She is a recognized thought leader with technical expertise and knowledge in the development of renewable and clean energy policy and both state and federal regulatory frameworks. Given her diverse professional experience she provides senior policy advisor services in other regulated industry sectors and expertise for development of corporate environmental, social and governance goals and metrics for organizations. Ms. Akiba has worked with international agencies and ministries including the Government of Barbados Ministry of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship; the Inter-American Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank (ADB); and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency on energy and economic development policy activities and engagements. Most recently she served as Team Leader for the ADB Technical Assistance Consultant Team for the Office of Pacific Energy Regulators’ Alliance. She served from 2012-2018 as a commissioner on the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission which presides over all regulated public utility matters including electric, gas, private water and wastewater, telecommunications, water transportation and motor carrier transportation utilities. She continues to remain active with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners International Committee in peer to peer regulatory review programs sponsored by USAID and the U.S. State Department. She holds many leadership roles in various national and international organizations including the Interstate Renewable Energy Council Board of Directors and the US-Japan Council. She also is a member of the O-Power Industry Council and the U.S. DOE Research Advisory Council for the LIFT Solar project. Ms. Akiba holds a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. in political science.

Mr. Roy Nunts Daggy - Board Advisor

Mr. Roy Nunts Daggy is an accomplished professional with extensive qualifications and vast experiences in the regulatory space. He holds a Master of Energy (2nd Class Honors 1st Division) from the University of Auckland (New Zealand) and Bachelor of Economics degree with honours from the University of Papua New Guinea. With over 11 years in the public sector and 6 years in the private sector, Mr. Daggy specializes in utility regulations and energy. His expertise spans across utilities regulations, energy policies and regulations, strategic planning, energy transition, and renewable energy development. Currently serving as a Policy and Regulations Adviser for the PNG Energy Sector under the Economic and Social Infrastructure (ESIP) mandated by DT Global, an Australian and PNG Partnership program. Previously, Mr. Daggy held senior roles at PNG Power Ltd as the Senior Manager Tariff Regulations for over 5 years and prior to that as an Executive Manager for Regulated Industries at Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) for over 8 years, gaining in-depth knowledge of utility regulations, tariff and regulatory price modelling, economic and financial analysis, regulatory contracts, industry codes and guidelines and standard compliance. Additionally, he has a strong background in economic and structural policies, business planning, budgeting forecasting, and financial management from his tenure at the Department of Treasury. Mr. Daggy’s commitment extends beyond his professional work—he currently serves as an Advisory Board member for APEC Sustainable Energy Centre (APSEC) based in Tianjin, China and is the Founder of the community-based non-profit organization called Manda Community Development Foundation Inc. and a Board Director of the Harvest for Christ Ministry Inc in PNG.

Mr. Nathan Frey

Nathan is an internationally recognized expert in U.S. domestic regulatory policy, international regulatory cooperation and regulatory reforms designed to improve market access and enhance global competitiveness. With extensive experience in the White House Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Nathan possesses a unique depth of regulatory process expertise and specialized subject matter knowledge across a broad range of issues. He is a skilled multi-party negotiator, certified court mediator and fluent in Spanish.