Startup Hawaii Lead | CEO Founder First & Infinity Rack

Maria has 15 years of experience across finance, clean energy, and entrepreneurship through roles in investment banking, nonprofits, and leading startup accelerator operations for a Fortune 50 company. She launched Startup Hawaiʻi with this core team in 2021, driven by her passion for helping founders succeed and geographic equity and global connectivity in rural communities.

Maria has an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BA in Economics from Hamilton College.

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Waimea Resilience Hub Co-Chair

Lauren is an active member of the community and is passionate about service and is an advocate in the nonprofit sector. She is an active volunteer with expertise across non-profit fund development, workforce, and youth career pathways.

President, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, and Executive Director and COO, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board

Jacqui has worked across a number of private and public sector entities, including NELHA, DOD, NOAA, Union Carbide, and Hyatt Resorts. She is also an advocate for inclusiveness, equity, and indigenous perspectives and serves as the Startup Hawaiʻi cultural practitioner.

Born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, Jacqui studied concurrently at St Joseph High and UH Hilo for high school before receiving bachelor’s and master’s education from St. Mary’s College of California, University of California, Berkeley, and Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

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Hawaii County Council Chair, District 1

Heather is a scientist by training and has two decades of experience in research, teaching, and leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as Hawaii County Council Chair and Council Member for District 1.

Heather holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Science. Heather is also a certified facilitator and a licensed private pilot.

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Tom oriented his entire career toward leveraging technology. Starting in Silicon Valley developing software for an aerospace company, he then joined the internal management consulting group of a major European conglomerate. He later returned to Silicon Valley to start his own technology company before moving to Hawaiʻi Island where he continues to work as an IT consultant.

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Sustainability, Climate, and Resilience Advocate

Noel is a Silicon Valley product management veteran. He is a small business owner, climate action advocate, and supporter of sustainable transportation and renewable energy. Noel has a master’s degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. He resides in Hilo. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Director, University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy

Doug was named Director for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy in April 2021 after serving as the Executive Director of the Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope for 9 years and as the Director of the Gemini Observatory for 5 year. He has an unwavering vision of merging Hawaiian knowledge and traditions with contemporary astronomy.

Doug earned his.LinkedIn Profile doctorate from UH Institute for Astronomy in 1990 and has worked on Maunakea since.

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