Leah is a senior at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, studying political science and sociology. The majority of her work and volunteer experience revolves around policy and government, with additional background in communications and archival research. Leah began her policy work with Hawai’i Public Policy Advocates (HPPA), earning valuable knowledge of lobbying and government relations. Her work with Opportunity Youth Action Hawaiʻi, in conjunction with HPPA, oversaw the passing of several bills regarding youth services and youth wellbeing. Additionally, her work at Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice developed her skills in historical research and archiving. Most recently, her time with the Governor’s Office of Wellness and Resilience focused on community engagement, promoting mental health and trauma-informed care. Leah was born and raised in Kailua, O’ahu, and is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Her connections to culture and community inspire her efforts to contribute to the support and advancement of her people and Hawaiʻi as a whole.

Emma supports partner organizations and HDC’s team with strategy development that enable data-guided decisions. Emma earned her Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University in International Relations and French Language. Her studies focused on social policy and analytical research, specifically in immigration and anti-poverty programs. Prior to joining HDC, she conducted research for the University of Michigan’s Center for Social Solutions, and served on the resettlement team at the International Rescue Committee. Emma feels a deep connection to Hawaiʻi, which developed from a young age through regular trips back to the islands to visit family, and is passionate about working in service of improving the well-being of Hawai’i’s communities.

Kyle provides technical guidance and implementation of software solutions. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Thomas works with partners to understand how government and government data integrate with the community to address pressing challenges, and identifies opportunities for HDC to provide data strategy and capacity support to partners seeking to expand data utilization and sharing. Thomas currently is a member of the State Data Task Force and is a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Grounded in Epidemiology and Public Health, Thomas previously served as faculty at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa where his research focused on COVID-19 epidemiology, modeling, and data utilization. Thomas also supported COVID-19 operations across the Pacific as an Army Reservist as the lead COVID-19 modeler and forecaster for the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency from April through July, 2020. Raised in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Thomas received his PhD and MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese from the University of Notre Dame, and is a graduate of Punahou School.

Nick works with HDC’s team and board to sustain the strategic direction and project priorities of the organization. Prior to founding HDC, he served as Director of Social Research and Strategy for the Ulupono Initiative, and has previously held a variety of social research, consulting and teaching roles. Nick holds a PhD in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, where he conducted research on the dynamics of conflict, and complexity-aware leadership.

Kendrick assists partner organizations in turning their research questions and curiosities into actionable, data-driven investigations. Kendrick brings a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and investigating Hawaiʻi’s most pressing issues through spatial and statistical analysis. Raised in Ewa Beach, Oʻahu, Kendrick received a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawaii, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations from Georgetown University, and is a graduate of Punahou School. His studies included quantitative research in comparative urban economics and transit-oriented development, as well as qualitative research in urbanism and transition design in Tokyo, Japan.

Tiana works with partner organizations to understand their data challenges and help identify and implement solutions that enable them to leverage their data for decision-making. Raised in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Tiana holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development from Hawaʻii Pacific University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Environmental Science from the University of Hawaiʻi, and is a graduate of Punahou School. Her studies focused on exploring environmental and social sustainability through a systems thinking approach, and her desire to work on local sustainability issues naturally led to her interest in working with Hawaiʻi Data Collaborative to make strides towards improving the well-being of Hawaiʻi residents.