Our People

Keawe is the Executive Director of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation, reporting to the Board of Directors. He directs the Foundation's strategy, branding and fundraising activities in support of providing educational opportunities for people of Hawaiian ancestry. 

Keawe brings over 10 years of experience in philanthropy and fundraising. He recently served as the assistant headmaster of external relations at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (HPA) – a K-12 private school in Kamuela, Hawai‘i – where he was responsible for overseeing all branding, communications, and fundraising activities. Prior to that position, he was the director of advancement and special projects at the school.

His fundraising experience also includes seven years at Parker School in Kamuela, where he served in a number of leadership roles including head of institutional advancement.

In 2011, Keawe was recognized as Hawai‘i’s Top 40 Under 40 by Pacific Business News (PBN), as well as named PBN’s Young Community Leader of the Year. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a certified fund raising executive with CFRE International.

Born in Honolulu, Keawe is a graduate of HPA. He earned a B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master of education from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Dancine is responsible for the development and implementation of programs and events that keep Kamehameha alumni connected and involved with the Foundation, Kamehameha Schools and other alumni. She has 18 years of experience in the banking industry, most recently as assistant vice president and manager of the Pukalani branch of American Savings Bank.

Dancine is heavily involved with the school as the president of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association-Maui Region and has assisted with the coordination of alumni week on the Kapālama campus and ho‘olaule‘a on Maui.  She received a bachelor of arts in liberal sciences and Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Myron is responsible for the fiscal management of the Foundation’s operations, resources and activities. He has 18 years of service with Kamehameha Schools, including work as the director of operations for the Community-Based Early Childhood Education Division, internal audit manager, and tax administrator. He is also an accounting instructor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and a certified public accountant in the state of Hawai‘i. 

Myron received his bachelor of science in accountancy from Bentley College, and a master of business administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Bran-Dee is responsible for planning and managing fundraising programs and partnerships with Kamehameha Schools’ alumni, faculty, staff, students and parents, as well as the general public.

Bran-Dee's past experience includes work at Santa Clara University as the Assistant Development Director and at The Harker School as the Director of Annual Giving. Bran-Dee received her bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Santa Clara University. 

Mavis is responsible for overseeing and maintaining our scholarship program. She works closely with Bran-Dee to ensure the connection between scholarship donors, funds and recipients are cohesive.

Mavis' work experience includes 23 years with Kamehameha Schools in a variety of positions.  Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as manager for Kamehameha Schools' O‘ahu Regional Resource Center. Mavis has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hawaiian Studies from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Melissa is responsible for the planning and execution of the annual giving program with a focus on shaping a sustainable tradition of annual support from the Foundation’s constituent groups. 

Her past work experience includes work with the City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation as a Recreation Aid and at the University of Hawai‘i as an Admissions Assistant with the Undergraduate Admissions Office.  She received an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Kapi‘olani Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 

Denise works closely with Aunty Gerry on planning and executing programs and activities to ensure that Kamehameha Schools alumni stay connected with the school, foundation, and other alumni. 

Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a Mortgage Consultant with Hawai‘i Community Lending, as well as a Homebuyer Education Trainer with Hawaiian Community Assets.  She also was part-owner and creator of Imua Lounge. Denise earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Willamette University and a Masters of Science in Human Services: Counseling/Psychology from the University of Portland.

Jana is responsible for database management, research and statistical analysis of gift processing and giving trends, and generating other vital constituent reports.  She also works closely with the Kamehameha Schools alumni office to manage data integrity and reporting.

Jana has been with Kamehameha Schools for more than 20 years.  Prior to the Foundation, she was the Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Legal Services at Kamehameha Schools.  Jana earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with an emphasis on Human Resources and Organizational Structure from the University of Phoenix in Honolulu. She also has an Associate of Science degree from Cannon’s Business College in the professions of legal assistant, secretary and stenographer.

Scott works in tandem with Mavis to process and oversee the scholarship program for both internal offerings to Kamehameha Schools seniors and the general public. He comes to the Foundation with a business background, and carries a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hawai‘i Pacific University and has an extensive background in the non-profit arena.

Wendy provides administrative support to the Foundation staff and manages office operations.

Prior to the Foundation, she was a Public Information Officer with the Office of the Vice President for University Relations at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.  Her past experience also includes work as a Senior Development Officer with the  Kuakini Foundation.  Wendy received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Ben manages the branding and messaging initiatives relating to giving opportunities and scholarships at the Foundation. He has over nine years of marketing and advertising experience. Ben was previously an account supervisor at the Harris Agency. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.