Our Team

[she/her] Alana joined HIPHI in December 2020 and currently assists in creating and disseminating culturally relevant COVID-19 resources to families in Hawaiʻi. She provides weekly COVID-19 newsletters, social media posts, and outreach to community members statewide. She has a bachelors degree in Communications, and her commitment to being a mental health advocate led her to cofound a nonprofit initiating the conversation of suicide prevention and mental health in 2016. Alana spends her free time surfing and enjoying the beautiful hikes on Oʻahu.

[she/her] Ananda joined HIPHI in 2020 to coordinate grant and contract activities and compliance. Her previous experience includes nearly ten years as an academic program manager, where she worked to increase access and success for nontraditional and first-generation students, as well as community wellness, public lands management, active transportation advocacy, and affordable housing policy. Ananda graduated magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College. When she’s not at work, she will usually be found exploring Oʻahu by foot, bike, and bus.

Chelsea joined HIPHI in 2020 to lead the Hawaiʻi Alcohol Policy Alliance, a volunteer-based coalition that advocates for research-based, responsible alcohol policies in the best interest of the people of Hawaiʻi, to reduce often overlooked alcohol-related harms in our communities. She graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Public Health. She was the President of the Breathe Aloha Club (which provides health education and outreach about tobacco issues and policies on campus/statewide), and worked to designate all 10 UH campuses tobacco-free in 2018.

Eleni joined HIPHI in July 2023 as the Communications Specialist. Prior to joining HIPHI, Eleni worked in fund development and communications at Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) and Mālama ʻĀina Foundation. She has a BA ʻIke Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Studies) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Eleni loves learning about Hawaiʻi history and visiting archives, museums, and historic buildings.

Fiona joined HIPHI in July 2023 as the Digital Media Specialist. Working closely with the Communications Team, Fiona ensures effective and consistent communication with stakeholders while upholding HIPHI’s brand standards. Fiona is a tech-focused digital marketing expert with innovative strategies, cross-channel implementation, and user experience optimization. She has a BA in Communication Design.

Gerrit joined HIPHI in April 2023 as the COVID-19 Special Project Coordinator VISTA working to understand the availability of Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 data collected during the pandemic. Gerrit’s previous work experience entailed collecting and analyzing survey data and writing technical reports. He graduated with a BS in Biology and am currently completing a Masters in Health Policy and Management at UH Mānoa. In his free time, Gerrit enjoys creating and maintaining connections with others as well as the outdoors.

Jay joined HIPHI in August 2023 as the East Hawai‘i Tobacco-Free Coordinator, where he spearheads community-building efforts in Hawai‘i County for tobacco prevention and control. With a BBA from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Jay’s expertise in grant management was instrumental in ensuring the successful completion of Hawai‘i Community Foundation tobacco prevention grants during his tenure as the Grants Director at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island. Beyond his professional role, Jay actively participates in community service projects with organizations like the Akaka Falls Lions Club and the Exchange Club of Hilo, embodying his commitment to making a positive impact on his community.

Jessica joined HIPHI as the Hawai‘i Farm to School Program Coordinator in April 2023 to coordinate Hawai’i’s Farm to School initiatives. Jessica is a BS graduate from Santa Clara University with subject certification in Culturally Adaptive Leadership.

Her career began assisting the development of the Native Hawaiian public health workforce through scholarship and service placement. Jessica is proud to be an experienced international traveler, small business owner, and grateful mother of two.

[she/her] Jessica joined HIPHI in 2010 and became CEO in October 2012 when the organization expanded from CTFH to HIPHI. She works closely with the Board of Directors to provide strategic leadership, create and maintain partnerships, provide overall financial oversight, and ensure that HIPHI’s work is addressing the largest gaps. Her BA and MA are from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Speech Communication with a focus in Health Communication. Previously, she worked at the UH Office of Public Health Studies and the UH Cancer Research Center. Jessica enjoys listening to true crime podcasts while walking her dog.

[she/her] Justina joined HIPHI in August 2020 to work on COVID-19 vaccination outreach & equity on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. She recently graduated with an MPH in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, and has previous experience in suicide prevention training research. She enjoys spending time with family and playing with her dog, Luna.

Kealoha joined HIPHI in March 2023 as the West Hawai‘i Tobacco and HEAL Coalition Coordinator. Before joining HIPHI, Kealoha was engaged in tobacco education, coalition, and policy work with Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i Island for three years. She worked as a certified tobacco treatment specialist, where she helped her community quit their tobacco use and encourage healthier lifestyles and helped organize the youth coalition on Hawai‘i Island, the Hawai‘i Island Youth Academy.

Kealoha was born and raised in Hakipu‘u, O‘ahu, and moved to Hawai‘i Island in 2003, currently residing in the beautiful town of Waimea. During her free time, Kealoha enjoys planting succulents, being outdoors, going to the beach, and spending time with family.

[he/him] Kevin joined HIPHI in January 2017 and provides youth vaping prevention education, support, and resources to Honolulu County schools, educators, and community members. He also provides technical assistance to the cohort of organizations providing youth vaping prevention education via the Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit to HI schools. He previously worked as a Youth Programs Director in Philadelphia, PA for eight years, running after school and summer programming activities for youth. Kevin is interested in exploring the intersection of art, music, culture, and public health.

Lauren is the Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL) Program Manager at HIPHI. She originally joined HIPHI in 2017 as the HEAL Community Coordinator for Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi. She has her Masters in Public Health from Long Island University Brooklyn and has worked with nonprofit organizations such as the New York Common Pantry and The Partnership for a Healthier New York City. Lauren is a Certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is from New York City.

[she/her] Lauren joined HIPHI in March 2020 and helps facilitate the Maui Nui Food Alliance, a cross-sector collaborative dedicated to a resilient and healthy food future for the islands of Maui Nui – Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. Before receiving her M.A. in Gastronomy, she worked as a farmer on Maui. Lauren has a background in nutrition and climate change policy, working for FAO and the Slow Food Movement. She loves hiking, surfing, diving, painting, and trying new varieties of fruit.

Lia joined HIPHI in August 2017 to provide administrative and operational support for the organization and programs, and assist with logistics and event planning. Her previous experience includes customer service and office and operations management. She received her BSBA in Business Marketing and MBA in Business Management from Hawaiʻi Pacific University. If money was never an issue, she would build a sanctuary and rescue all the feral cats around the world.

[she/her] Joining HIPHI in 2020, Lindsey convenes the Kūpuna Food Security Coalition and other initiatives under the Kūpuna Collective, an age-friendly incubator that addresses critical issues for older adults and transforms the narrative from kūpuna as beneficiaries to powerful change agents in building resilient communities. She values working with partners to address drivers of health inequity, particularly among Kānaka ʻŌiwi. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chapman University, and Kamehameha Schools. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys being outdoors, eating good food, and loving on her three year old dogo argentino.

[she/her] Since joining HIPHI in 2018, Makamae coordinates community-based activities and public health workforce capacity to provide continuing education to healthcare providers and community members. She supports COVID-19 response outreach and education efforts and oral health coalition initiatives. Makamae earned her BS in Nutrition and MPA from Long Island University. Her background includes student affairs operations and program management. She’s passionate about health access and equity in Hawaiʻi’s communities. In her spare time, Makamae coaches volleyball at local high schools and clubs and spends time outdoors.

[she/her] May Rose joined HIPHI in October 2021 to lead the coordination of internal and external plans that increase awareness of health disparities, invite collaboration, and promote local efforts to support structures and processes that build health equity. She is an Assistant Researcher at UH Office of Public Health Studies and previously held a role as Co-Director at ʻImi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, Papa Ola Lōkahi. She received her BA in Psychology, MPH in Social & Behavioral Health Science, and DrPH in Community-Based & Translational Research from UH Mānoa. She enjoys baking cupcakes and cookies, and balances it out by growing her own veggies with her family.

Olivia joined HIPHI in 2021 and provides coordination support for the Hawai‘i Youth Food Council (HYFC) and other Hui projects. She has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector with a focused mission to enhance local food systems as a farmer, 4-H counselor, and community organizer. Originally from coastal Massachusetts, she earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies and International Relations from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. She looks forward to drawing from these experiences to support Hawaii’s farm to school movement from her home on O‘ahu.

Patrick joined HIPHI in April 2021 to lead the Hawaiʻi Oral Health Coalition into growth and stability by increasing community engagement, educating the public and health community, promoting oral health as a part of overall health, and working to improve oral health through policy, practice, and advocacy. He developed his passion for oral health through his work as a Health Specialist in Early Head Start/Head Start. Patrick has a BS in Public Health – Health Promotion and Health Behavior from Oregon State University, and enjoys hiking, frisbee, and exploring the Big Island with family and friends.

Patti joined HIPHI in August 2023 to lead the Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle Initiative in East Hawai‘i. She has a background in nutrition and experience developing relationships with local agencies and diverse groups to create community-centric health and wellness programs. Originally from Pennsylvania, Patti moved to the Big Island in 2012. Holding a B.A. in Kinesiology (Health Promotion) from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Patti is committed to utilizing her talents to advance the health and wellness of the people of Hawai‘i.

[he/him] Rick joined HIPHI in 2018 and currently serves as the Director for for the Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, the East Hawai‘i Drug-Free Coalition, and the Hawai‘i Alcohol Policy Alliance. His experience includes building new community coalitions and implementing community-level policy strategies to reduce the harms of substance use. He is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an MS in Counseling Psychology. He and his family love to travel and like to do home exchanges when they travel.

[she/her] Rie joined in 2018 and coordinates recruitment and onboarding for HIPHI’s interns and volunteers, as well as conducting assessments and writing projects. She has 20 years of experience in public health and mental health in the US and Pacific Islands. Rie holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from University of Hawai‘i and Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) from Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology.

Roella joined HIPHI in 2014 and informs and oversees operations, programmatic, and strategic initiatives. She provides leadership and oversight to programs and staff, administration, fund development, human resources and talent acquisitions, mentorship, and communications. She has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, with an undergraduate degree in Health Science from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in Public Health is from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Roella is a loyal partner and mother to three keiki who loves gardening, cooking, baking, watching a good adventure flick, and traveling.

Rojelle joined HIPHI in August 2023 as the Events and Outreach Coordinator and is responsible for planning and coordinating mission-aligned events. She has a bachelor’s degree in in Public Health and Sociology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her journey began with an internship at HIPHI’s Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council while studying at the university. Prior to joining HIPHI, Rojelle worked for the State. Beyond her career, she enjoys kdramas, kpop, and spending quality time with loved ones, including being a devoted dog and cat mom.

Rosi joined the HIPHI team in 2022 as the Statewide Program Manager: Community Health Worker Liaison. She was born and raised on Hawai‘i Island and currently resides in Kea‘au. She has earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Healthcare Administration and Master’s in Public Health. She has a profound passion for public health and brings to the team great knowledge of Community Health Workers and expertise in working with vulnerable populations. When not working, Rosi can be found in the community as the head coach for Kea‘au High School Girls Soccer and serving at New Hope Church of Hilo.

Sally joined HIPHI in September 2010 as the East Hawai‘i Coalition Coordinator for CTFH and HEAL and in 2022 has transitioned to the East Hawai‘i Drug-Free Coalition Coordinator. She previously worked for the American Lung Association as the Hawai‘i Island Program Coordinator and brings a wealth of experience in tobacco prevention and control, as well as history with her local Coalition. She holds a BA from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

Scott joined HIPHI in 2018 and mentors the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council. His previous experience included Executive Director for Community Programs with Blue Zones Project Hawaiʻi, and V. P. Enrollment Management at Hawaiʻi Pacific University. He received his BA in Business Administration from Coe College, and MA in Leadership from Augsburg University. He’s been a volunteer coach with the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) for more than 25 years.

Uyanga joined HIPHI in 2023 as the Director of Finance and Operations to provide leadership and oversight of the Finance and Operations team for sustainable organizational growth. Prior to HIPHI, Uyanga served as the CFO for Waimānalo health center and Controller for Kōkua Kalihi Valley (KKV) Comprehensive Family Services in Hawai‘i, USA. She also founded several organizations in Mongolia. Uyanga is an alumna of the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. In her free time, she loves to play and teach board games and traveling internationally.