Leia Leong
Grounded in a passion for bridging technology and culture, Leimomi is a designer who has cultivated a multi-hyphenate life path. With a background in linguistics, languages, and literature at U.H. Mānoa, she has translated her love for storytelling into public radio, a small design consultancy, Naeolokani, and eight years of contributions as the former COO of the vinyl- focused record label, Aloha Got Soul. Shifting from analog to digital—admin to builder—Leimomi has pivoted into the community-serving tech space as a developer, making a core commitment to uplifting the lāhui by stewarding tech that honors heritage while embracing innovation. She is currently a Full Stack Developer at Purple Mai ʻ a, working to further the organization’s mission to "empower culturally grounded technology makers" in Hawai ʻ i. Born and raised in Kealakekua, Leimomi now resides in Honolulu. Maka Gibson (she/her) was born and raised in ʻ Ewa Beach, but now calls Kāne ʻ ohe home. She is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and received her bachelor’s degree in politics from Willamette University. Philanthropy has been a guiding theme in her life. While at the Oregon Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, Maka co-designed and implemented equitable grant programs and cultivated relationships with community-based organizations and leaders. As a Program Officer at Resources Legacy Fund, Maka leads their environmental equity and justice programs in Hawai ʻ i. She is excited to mālama ʻ Āina and to partner with and uplift local communities to ensure that our keiki and our mo ʻ opuna can thrive. Maka’s leadership journey is inspired by many mana wāhine, both past and present, who have nurtured and shared their mana ʻ o with her so graciously. She is motivated to give back to our kaiāulu and to foster the next generation of ʻ ōiwi leaders, including her young daughter, Mahina. Leia Leong is the Director of Operations of Ke Ola Mamo, Native Hawaiian Healthcare System, on the Island of Oahu. She holds a Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Argosy. Leia served Hawai ʻ i’s communities facing severe and persistent mental illness for 11 years before making the pivot to Native Hawaiian healthcare. Her love and determination to provide overall wellness and education to her lāhui brought her to Ke Ola Mamo, where she now manages the overall operations of the organization. Born on the island of O’ahu and raised with traditional Hawaiian values and beliefs, she continuously infuses her Native Hawaiian upbringing in all that she does. She is married and has five keiki, and all she does professionally is with the future of her keiki in mind.
Leimomi Bong
Maka Gibson
ʻ Ōiwi Leadership ACCELERATOR
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker