In January 2026, Lorna McPherson was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Chiefs Rugby League club by the Australian Rugby League Commission, marking a significant milestone for the organization. With over 16 years of experience living and working in Papua New Guinea, Lorna brings a wealth of commercial and sports leadership expertise to her new role. Throughout her career, Lorna has been deeply involved in the development and growth of Rugby League in PNG. Her impact has been felt both as a Director of the PNGRFL and more recently as Director of the PNG Chiefs. Additionally, she has held influential senior positions at Digicel Pacific, most notably serving as Senior Vice President where she oversaw Government Relations, Sales, Distribution, Retail, and Marketing across the country. Lorna’s vision and drive have led to strategic initiatives that seamlessly integrated sport into national development projects. Over the last decade, she spearheaded the evolution of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, transforming it into PNG’s premier rugby league competition. Under her leadership, the Cup became a source of national pride, uniting communities, fostering youth development, and delivering substantial commercial benefits. Her commitment to advancing opportunities for women in sport has also been instrumental, playing a pivotal role in establishing Papua New Guinea’s elite women’s rugby league competition, the Santos Cup. Lorna McPherson’s dedication to Rugby League and her strategic acumen make her an inspiring leader for the PNG Chiefs.