Leadership

Meet our board of directors

chairperson

Julie Hong

Julie Hong is a Director at AECOM in Honolulu, leading the growth and integration strategy for the infrastructure business in the Indo-Pacific region. With 27 years of experience in infrastructure and environmental planning, she has supported key Department of Defense and government projects, including NEPA oversight for Marine Corps Activity Guam and Okinawa programs. Julie holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Art History from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. She serves as an Executive Board Member of Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) and has led the planning of the SAME Pacific Industry Forum for the past five years.

Co-chair

Steve Beattie

We are thrilled to welcome Steve Beattie as co-chair of the Board for Hoʻōla Nā Pua, serving alongside Julie Hong and in collaboration with founder Jessica Munoz. A globally recognized leader in anti-financial crimes, Steve brings extensive expertise in combating human trafficking, anti-money laundering, and cryptocurrency risk, along with strong relationships with compliance leaders, regulatory authorities, and enforcement agencies worldwide. With a proven track record in corporate governance, operational excellence, and board leadership across various sectors, Steve’s experience will help Hoʻōla Nā Pua expand its vision and impact locally and nationally.

vice chairperson

Robin Yoshimura

Robin currently serves as Brand Ambassador for Black Bear Diners, a restaurant franchise company operating 150 diners across the mainland US. He has been with BBD for 25 years, working closely with its founders as their financial and strategic planning officer to take the concept from a small-town operation in Mt. Shasta, California, to a nationally recognized restaurant brand. Robin currently serves on Saint Louis School’s Board of Trustees as Chairperson of its Education Programs, previously serving as its Board Chairperson. Robin has provided service on a number of charitable organization boards for over 30 years. Robin is passionate about the mission of Ho’ōla Nā Pua and for the past two years has been supporting it through philanthropic support, programming connections, awareness, and advocacy.

treasurer

Keith Winnacott

Keith Winnacott is an accounting and finance professional with over 20 years of public accounting, consulting, and industry experience in financial services and the healthcare sector. Keith graduated from the University of Maryland and obtained his Certified Public Accountant license. He spent the majority of his career in Washington, DC, before relocating to Honolulu in 2018. Most recently Keith has worked as the Director of Accounting & Reporting for Maui Health.

Secretary

Sonya Gomes

Sonya Gomes is Senior Vice President and Division Manager of Loan & Deposit Operations at Central Pacific Bank, bringing 25 years of expertise to the banking industry. She began her career with Bank of America N.A., Overseas Division, and has held diverse roles, including teller, loan officer, customer service representative, and branch manager. A graduate of the University of Phoenix with both a bachelor’s and a master’s in business administration, Sonya’s dynamic leadership and deep understanding of banking operations drive innovation and excellence at Central Pacific Bank.

Member

Jacquie Laird

Jacquie Laird has been a dedicated volunteer with Hoʻōla Nā Pua for the past five years, supporting fundraising initiatives, programming at Pearl Haven, and community advocacy events on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. With a background in retail management, merchandise procurement, and holistic wellness, she has also hosted wellness retreats and supported feeding programs for the homeless in Waimānalo and Ala Moana Beach Park. Jacquie is well-connected in program development, fund development, and philanthropy and is passionate about promoting Hoʻōla Nā Pua’s mission to ensure a bright future for youth.

member

Chris Perkins

Chris currently serves as an executive coach and consultant to leaders and organizations in the mental health field. Chris has been serving and leading in the mental health space for 31 years in a variety of roles, including division president, regional vice president, CEO of an acute hospital, and executive director of multiple programs across the continuum of care. Chris is most passionate about leading and mentoring individuals and teams to improve performance and outcomes via industry-leading human performance frameworks.

Member

Melissa Jackson

member

Sondra Leiggi Brandon

Sondra Leiggi Brandon is the VP of Patient Care, Behavioral Health. Sondra is responsible for developing and implementing business and strategic plans for behavioral health services and programs across the continuum of care. Sondra is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has Master’s degrees in Nursing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Johns Hopkins University. She also has a Master’s degree in Public Health from Loma Linda University. Sondra is an Omidyar fellow and was recently recognized as one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s “20 for the Next 20.”

Member

Nathan Shimodoi

member

Charles Kaneshiro

Charles Kaneshiro is the Chairman of G70, one of Hawaiʻi’s leading design firms, with over 35 years of experience designing award-winning educational and institutional facilities across Hawaiʻi and Japan. A former teacher, he combines his passion for education with a commitment to sustainability, leading groundbreaking projects such as Hawaiʻi’s first LEED Platinum school and laboratory. Under his leadership, G70 earned Pacific Business News’ “Best in Sustainability” award, and Charles was named Hawaiʻi’s first Green Schools Advocate. He currently serves as the 2024 Regional President of the Association for Learning Environments and was recently recognized as a 2024 Most Admired Leader by Pacific Business News.

Member

Jessica Nohara Salvacion

Jessica Nohara Salvacion is the Vice President and Group Controller at Servco Pacific Inc., overseeing accounting and financial reporting. She is the officer sponsor for Servco’s Wahine Allyship Group, raising awareness of issues facing women in the workplace and community, and has been an active member of Servco’s community service group, Team Serve, for over a decade. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from Lahaina, Maui, Jessica holds degrees in Accounting and Economics from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Passionate about supporting Hawaiʻi’s youth, Jessica was drawn to Hoʻōla Nā Pua’s mission to provide a safe place for keiki to embrace their bright futures.

member

Erin Evans

Erin Evans has been a dedicated volunteer with Hoʻōla Nā Pua since 2020, supporting its mission to care for and advocate for children impacted by sex trafficking. A military spouse who moved to Oʻahu in 2009, Erin embraced the aloha spirit and is committed to giving back to her community. As the Broker and Owner of CENTURY 21 Island Homes, she balances her professional expertise with her passion for empowering women and creating opportunities for growth across industries. Inspired by her role as a mother of daughters, Erin is driven to ensure every child has a bright future. In addition to her work with Hoʻōla Nā Pua, she supports Wounded Warrior Ohana and serves on the Honolulu Board of Realtors Grievance Committee, embodying her dedication to ethical standards and community service.

board emeritus

founder

Jessica Muñoz

Jessica Muñoz, founder of Hoʻōla Nā Pua and a clinical emergency nurse practitioner, has dedicated her career to advocating for exploited children and combating child sex trafficking. With 18 years of healthcare leadership and community advocacy, she pioneered trauma-informed, victim-centered programs and opened Pearl Haven, Hawaiʻi’s first residential treatment campus for sexually exploited teenage girls, now a nationally recognized model of care. Jessica has worked with law enforcement and community leaders locally and globally, providing training and strategies in countries such as Samoa, Cambodia, and Thailand. Her leadership and innovation have earned her numerous accolades, including the Department of Homeland Security’s National Award for Exemplary Partnerships.

member

Karen Polivka

Karen is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a long and distinguished career in opera. She began at Virginia Opera and quickly advanced to leadership roles, including Executive Director of Opera Memphis and General Director of Opera Festival of New Jersey, where she was the youngest General Director in the field. Karen later served as Executive Director of Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) for over nine years, balancing budgets, revitalizing fundraising efforts, and leading critically acclaimed productions such as Sweeney Todd and Madama Butterfly. In addition to her work in opera, Karen has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. She currently sits on the board of the Kapiolani Hospital Foundation and the capital campaign committee for Hoʻōla Nā Pua’s Pearl Haven. A dedicated leader and volunteer, Karen is also a proud mother to two children, Sophia and Eli.