Community Expertise, Island Roots

A seasoned entrepreneur with 52 years of experience on the Big Island, Bob Acree has owned and operated numerous businesses and real estate holdings while remaining continuously involved in the South Kohala community. He played a foundational role in the early formation of the Kohala Coast Community Fund and remains deeply committed to its mission, finding great meaning in the organization's growth and its leadership role in supporting the well-being of island families.

Douglass Shipman Adams served twenty years in the Army before transitioning to a career as an attorney. He has held significant leadership positions at Hawaiʻi Community College and the County of Hawaiʻi. He is chair of W.H. Shipman Ltd. and cycled 18,000 miles across the U.S. to raise awareness for veterans' issues. Through his work with KCCF, he is dedicated to serving the current and future entrepreneurs of Hawaiʻi Island.

Geoff is a retired business leader living in South Kohala. With fifty years of experience focused on professional management and team development, he seeks to help KCCF and its supported organizations reach their short and long-term objectives. Geoff has been a 3-time CEO, operated a CEO Coaching company, and served on many not-for-profit and for profit Boards.

Irwin Federman is a distinguished venture capitalist who served as a General Partner of US Venture Partners for twenty-five years and formerly led Monolithic Memories as CEO. His professional achievements include serving as Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association and acting as lead investor for major technology companies like SanDisk and Mellanox. As an advisor to KCCF, he brings a deep legacy of strategic leadership to help foster economic resilience and opportunity on Hawaiʻi Island.

Janice Ikeda is the CEO of Vibrant Hawaiʻi and a recognized leader in public service with over two decades of experience. She has successfully established a network of Resilience Hubs and expanded youth learning through the ʻŌAKA program. Her professional work centers on community organizing, disaster preparedness, and place-based solutions. She supports the KCCF mission by convening cross-sector partners to address complex challenges like housing and economic stability.

Mimi Kerley is a technology consulting professional with deep roots in Waimea and a strong background in nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as Board President of Parker School and Board Secretary of Kahilu Theatre. One of her proudest community achievements was leading the fundraising efforts to rebuild the Anuenue Playground in 2017. Her work with KCCF is driven by a commitment to strengthening the local community through her consulting and fundraising expertise.

Zendo Kern is a business owner and former public official who has served as the Hawaiʻi County Planning Director and a County Council Member. His professional career spans 27 years in land use, infrastructure, and real estate development, and he was named the SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Currently he focuses on wastewater infrastructure and helping homeowners transition away from cesspools, continuing his long-standing commitment to sustainable development.

Eileen Lacerte is a luxury real estate leader and innovator on the Big Island with over $500 million in recorded sales. Beyond her extensive background in luxury sales and development, she is a certified AI realtor who actively teaches others how to integrate technology into their business. As one of the original founders of KCCF, Eileen is deeply committed to supporting not only workforce development initiatives but also viable workforce housing opportunities.

Steve Mankoff is a prominent technology advisor and investor who currently serves on the board of directors for four vertical application software companies. Beyond his professional success in the tech sector, he is an active environmental steward, regularly participating in ocean and reef cleanup initiatives. As an advisor, he aligns his technical and investment expertise with the KCCF mission to foster growth and support the island's unique ecosystem.

Benson Medina currently serves as the Director of Research and Development for Hawaiʻi County, capping a diverse professional career spanning finance, manufacturing, and agricultural marketing. He is the past president of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and has extensive experience in nonprofit management and government infrastructure. He supports the KCCF mission by leveraging his deep knowledge of local industry and development.

Jonathan Mitchell serves as the Director of Strategic Investments at Stadia Capital and brings an extensive professional background with previous leadership roles at Parker Ranch, Kamehameha Schools, Apple, NASA, and Lockheed Martin. He serves on the boards of Parker School, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, and the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation. As an advisor to KCCF, he is dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs and helping students explore high-impact careers in finance and technology.

Dr. Janet Mitchell is an optometrist and CEO of TechSpecs, a digital wellness eyewear company focused on preventive eye care. A keynote speaker at the 2026 Dartmouth Innovations in Healthcare Conference in Hawaii, she is a strong advocate for science and innovation. Her commitment to KCCF is reflected in her enthusiasm for connecting students with new opportunities in healthcare and entrepreneurship.

Cecily is a nationally recognized healthcare educator, clinician, researcher, and leader with more than 40 years of experience advancing patient care, healthcare education, and workforce development.Her distinguished clinical career spans primary care, emergency medicine, HIV/AIDS care, correctional health, forensic nursing, substance use treatment, and transgender health, including founding the TransExcellence Clinic to provide accessible care for underserved communities. A Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (DFAAPA), she has received multiple awards recognizing her leadership, clinical excellence, and service. Born on Oahu with deep roots in the islands, Dr. Reeves brings to the Kohala Coast Community Fund a deep commitment to health equity, community wellness, and developing innovative solutions that strengthen healthcare access and improve the well-being of Hawaiʻi's communities.

Joe Root is a respected leader in hospitality and community development with decades of experience creating destination resorts and residential communities across Hawaiʻi and the West Coast. He led the creation of Kohanaiki on the Kona Coast, overseeing the project from vision through development, with a strong emphasis on cultural respect and environmental stewardship. Previously, Joe helped guide the development of CordeValle in Northern California and held roles at Mauna Kea Beach Resort and Waikoloa Beach Resort. Known for his thoughtful leadership and meticulous approach, Joe brings a community-minded perspective to every endeavor.

Mitch Roth served as the Mayor of Hawaiʻi County from 2020 to 2024, following an eight-year tenure as the elected Prosecuting Attorney. Currently he is the Senior Vice President and Hawaiʻi Island Regional Manager at Central Pacific Bank, managing strategic community partnerships. Throughout his career, he has been a champion for restorative justice, youth development, and community resilience, and his involvement with KCCF reflects a career-long commitment to sustainable community growth.

Mariko Sakita leads Project Job, where she has established a professional legacy of partnering with organizations to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Her career is defined by a commitment to inclusivity and workforce development within the community. As an advisor to KCCF, she applies her expertise in vocational support to further the fund's goals of expanding opportunity for all members of the island population.

Cheri Souza leads the Stupski Foundation's Postsecondary Success efforts in Hawaiʻi, partnering with institutions to ensure students have equitable access to local career opportunities. Her career is defined by advocacy for trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing authentic partnerships and shared decision-making for lasting systemic change. Rooted in her family's local plantation history, she works to build a future where every student can confidently choose to live and work in Hawaiʻi.

Matt Stevens is the Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative and a leader of the Learn Work Thrive Hui. With over 20 years of experience building collaborative initiatives, he specializes in aligning philanthropy, government, and community strategy for long-term systems change. He supports the KCCF mission by applying his expertise in workforce development to improve the lives of residents on Hawaiʻi Island.

Auston Stewart is a Hilo-based technologist and entrepreneur who formerly served as VP of Engineering at Xpert Financial, deploying the first SEC-approved automated trading system for private securities. He has delivered major updates to Twitch's mobile platforms and since 2017 has served as a Board Member and Facilitator for the Nalukai Foundation. His commitment to KCCF is found in his goal to equip local youth with technical skills and confidence to solve the island's most pressing challenges.

Dr. Sharon Vitousek is a retired internal medicine physician who spent her career developing healthcare infrastructure on the Big Island, including significant work with North Hawaii Community Hospital. She has dedicated years to understanding and addressing the critical health workforce shortages facing Hawaiʻi Island. Her advisory role supports the KCCF mission by focusing on the health and well-being of the community she has served since 1987.