Born and raised in Hawai‘i, I was taught to leave beach houses in better condition than when I arrived, and I have never forgotten that lesson. In 2003, I moved to the Bay Area to pursue nonprofit work and recognized the opportunity to integrate business practices into the nonprofit space. I attended evening classes at San Francisco State University to obtain an MBA degree while continuing to move my career forward.
I have over 17 years of experience in the pursuit of social justice, having worked for local and international organizations in fundraising, programmatic, and grantmaking capacities. In 2018, I left my steady job to begin a new journey in nonprofit consulting. For the past two years, I have been fortunate to work with inspiring clients, helping them to achieve their desired outcomes. I am particularly passionate about supporting the anti-human trafficking movement on a volunteer basis.
In the simplest terms, I am dedicated to the reduction of suffering and oppression. I draw inspiration from my roots and the dedicated people and communities I have connected with along my path. Drumming, dancing, and ocean recharge me and wake up my soul. I’m an island girl at heart, but also thrived in the urban environment that allowed me to work with a diverse range of groups and organizations committed to justice, equity, and opportunity.
Expertise
It is not enough to attain a goal without having a meaningful impact. It is not responsible to pursue impact without understanding how it relates to the surrounding people, movements, or landscape. Building connections and relationships will only go so far without specific goals.
I work with clients to achieve outcomes as they relate to all three of these components: goals, impact, and connection.
I help organizations arrive at informed decisions, ensuring those decisions also translate into action. My consulting work has focused on stakeholder engagement, but has also included program design, strategic planning, board development, project management, event planning, alliance coordination, and operational procedures.
Whether I was raising funds for Amnesty International USA, launching a nationwide student competition at Net Impact, or running a grantmaking program at the State Bar of California, I have always maintained a strong work ethic. I value integrity, open communication, community, cultural context, and authenticity, and integrate these values in my nonprofit consulting approach.
Phone: (808) 497-6933
Website: nahopena.com
Address:
City, State, Zip: Honolulu, HI 96816