New staff join HIPHI in Spring 2021

HIPHI welcomed three new staff over the spring, bringing our numbers to 31 and continuing momentum in some important positions. 

Amanda Fernandes is the Policy and Advocacy Director at Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, where she oversees legislative initiatives affecting public health at the state and local level. She works closely with community stakeholders, partner nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and government agencies to create a healthier Hawaiʻi through policy change. Amanda’s background is in civil rights policy and social justice. Prior to joining HIPHI, she directed legislative programs at the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network. She serves on the boards of the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legal Association and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks. Amanda earned her B.A. in political science from California State University Long Beach, and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. In her free time, Amanda enjoys hanging out with her wife, their son, and their two cats.

HIPHI’s new Statewide Oral Health Coalition Manager, Patrick Donnelly, has more than a decade of experience in the non-profit sector working with Hawaiʻi Island’s most vulnerable residents, specializing in community health services and program development. Prior to joining HIPHI, Patrick developed a passion for oral health through his work as a Health Specialist in Early Head Start/Head Start. Patrick has a B.S. in Public Health – Health Promotion and Health Behavior from Oregon State University and carries an ongoing desire to learn, grow, and serve his community.

Kristi Hall joins HIPHI as the Coalition Coordinator for Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi for Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi. Originally from Oakland, CA, Kristi has lived in Hawaiʻi for the last 10 years. She has volunteered and worked in bioethics and environmental health and science since graduating with her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The majority of her work in bioethics research and environmental health, within both nonprofit and state sectors, was focused on air quality compliance, regulations, and concerns. Kristi has experience in community outreach and education, communications, regulatory compliance, and research. From this lens, she is committed to continuing to help the Maui County community gain long-term, sustainable health, and wellness.

We look forward to learning from their collective expertise this year!