Our Team

[she/her/hers] Alice joined HIPHI in April 2024 as the Food Systems Program Manager. A marketing executive from Beijing, China turned sustainability advocate, Alice has dedicated herself to organic farming and nonprofit work since moving to Hawai‘i in 2019. Blending her project management skills with hands-on farming and food bank distribution experiences, Alice is passionate about food security and strategic planning. Outside of work, Alice loves exploring the outdoors with her adventure cat, gardening, and foraging.

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/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.

[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.

Leigh Ann joined HIPHI in April 2024 as the O‘ahu HEAL Coordinator. In this role, Leigh Ann will support community-building efforts within the City and County of Honolulu around public health issues, including physical activity and nutrition, and promote policy and environmental changes for better health outcomes, striving to make a meaningful impact on public health in our community. In 2023, Leigh Ann received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Since then, she’s implemented her passion for movement and wellness as a Nutrition Educator at the UH Mānoa. Leigh Ann’s obsession with BTS in 2018 led her to study abroad and “live her best K-drama” life in Seoul, all during COVID in 2020.

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 disparities, 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 the Hawai‘i Public Health Training Hui program and community-based initiatives focused on strengthening capacity for our public health workforce in Hawai‘i and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Her work is centered in her background as a Native Hawaiian immersion student. She believes in health access for all in Hawai‘i and across the Pacific Ocean. Makamae earned her BS in Nutrition and MPA from Long Island University. Her background includes student affairs operations and program management. In her spare time, you can find Makamae in the gym coaching volleyball for the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Vulcans, spending time with family, finding new eateries, and being outdoors.

[she/her] May Rose joined HIPHI in October 2021 to lead the coordination of internal and external plans that increase awareness of public health research, invite collaboration, and promote local efforts to support structures and processes that improve health. 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.

Patrick joined HIPHI in April 2021 to lead the Hawaiʻi Oral Health Coalition toward growth and stability by increasing community engagement, educating the public and health community, promoting oral health as 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 holds a BS in Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion and Health Behavior and an MPH in Public Health Practice from Oregon State University. In his free time, Patrick enjoys hiking, playing frisbee, and exploring the Big Island with family and friends.

In early 2025, after two years working as the East Hawai’i Healthy Eating + Active Living Coalition Coordinator, Patti transitioned into the Statewide Active Transportation Specialist role. Patti is passionate about creating built environments that enable all people to safely and enjoyably utilize active modes of transportation to access vital services, food outlets, work, school, and recreation. She is dedicated to collaborating with county and state agencies and community organizations to improve road safety and community design to foster healthier, more active lifestyles. Patti holds a B.A. in Kinesiology (Health Promotion) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She is pursuing a Master of Health Sciences in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from Northwestern Health Sciences University.

[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.

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.