Lead FoundHer as its first Executive Director following independent 501(c)(3) status, driving fundraising, partnerships, and program leadership for wāhine founders across the pae ʻāina.

In 2026, FoundHer became an independent 501(c)(3). This is a founding moment, and weʼre looking for the leader who will carry it forward for generations of wāhine founders.

Reports to the Hawaiʻi FoundHer Board of Directors

The Role

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, operations, and sustainability of Hawaiʻi FoundHer. The majority of the time will be spent fundraising and building community partnerships.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED ensures the organization enacts its mission, manages day-to-day program operations, builds and maintains a strong funding base, and serves as FoundHerʼs primary external voice.

This is a hands-on leadership role. FoundHer operates with a small, dedicated team, which means the ED is both strategic leader and active implementer.

Compensation is based on experience and starts at $120,000 per year, plus medical, dental, and 401(k) benefits.

Who Weʼre Looking For

FoundHer is a culturally grounded organization. The right candidate doesnʼt just understand this mission intellectually, they embody it.

They operate with humility, center community over institution, and lead by bringing people in rather than directing from above. They are comfortable in a boardroom and in a community gathering. They take data seriously and use it to tell honest stories about impact.

Candidates must demonstrate an ability to build trust and credibility within the Native Hawaiian community, as evidenced by established relationships, cultural competency, and a track record of being accountable to and learning from indigenous communities.

This is a role for someone who is energized, not overwhelmed, by the challenge of building something lasting.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Sustainability

Design and execute a fundraising strategy that maintains solvency and builds toward a six-month operating runway across grants, donors, sponsors, and partnerships.
Write or oversee grant proposals, ensure compliance, and steward existing funder relationships with care.
Identify and cultivate new funding aligned with FoundHer’s mission, constituency, and program stage.
Work with the Board to engage donors and build a sustainable individual giving program.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

Build and sustain relationships with funders, investors, mentors, and industry leaders who share FoundHer’s values.
Serve as FoundHer’s primary spokesperson and advocate for NHPIAA wāhine entrepreneurs locally, regionally, and nationally.
Collaborate with partners on research, policy advocacy, and efforts that uplift wāhine founders.
Cultivate an engaged alumna network supporting peer learning and capital-raising.

Program Leadership & Development

Lead strategic planning to advance FoundHer’s accelerator programs and community engagement work.
Oversee cohort selection, curriculum design, and implementation for a culturally responsive, empowering experience.
Use data to demonstrate and communicate program impact to funders, partners, and the public.
Direct marketing, communications, and outreach; delegate execution to staff and contractors.

Organizational Management

Manage day-to-day operations, budgets, and funder reporting.
Lead and support a small team; recruit and onboard new members as the organization grows.
Work closely with the Board, providing regular updates and engaging members in fundraising and governance.
Build organizational systems and documentation that support continuity, accountability, and long-term health.

Skills & Experience

Required

Proven fundraising track record across at least two of: foundation grants, government grants, individual donors, or corporate partnerships. Grant writing experience is required.
Organizational leadership experience: you have founded and operated a business yourself, OR led a nonprofit including staff, budget, and board management.
Strong community-building skills: the ability to build trust, convene diverse stakeholders, and sustain relationships over time.
Deep commitment to FoundHer’s mission of economic sovereignty for NHPIAA women, indigenous cultural grounding, and community-centered leadership.
Clear, compelling written and verbal communication for audiences from funders and policymakers to founders and community members.

Preferred

Knowledge of Hawaiian culture, values, and community, or a history of working within and remaining accountable to Native Hawaiian communities.
Experience designing or facilitating business curriculum, cohort programs, or adult professional education.
Familiarity with Hawaiʻi’s funding landscape: OHA, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and federal sources such as ANA and USDA.
Experience standing up or growing a nonprofit, launching a new program track, or leading an organizational transition.
Direct entrepreneurial experience: you have started and operated a business yourself, giving you firsthand credibility with FoundHer’s founders.

Ready to lead FoundHer?

Send your résumé and a note about why this work matters to you. We review applications on a rolling basis.

Email your application to kokua@foundher.org