FEATURED OPPORTUNITES
Hawaiʻi Community Lending, Chief Executive Officer
September 15, 2026
Inkinen is assisting Hawaiʻi Community Lending with their search for a Chief Executive Officer.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Hawaiʻi Community Lending (HCL) is a nonprofit Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and licensed mortgage lender and servicer dedicated to expanding access to credit and capital for Native Hawaiians and other underserved communities throughout Hawaiʻi. Founded in 2002 and independent since 2014, HCL grew from a community-driven effort to address barriers to affordable homeownership into a sophisticated, statewide community development finance institution. Guided by the philosophy of kahua waiwai, or “foundation of wealth,” HCL views stable housing and financial security as foundations for family stability, cultural connection, community well-being, and intergenerational prosperity. Its model combines flexible lending with financial education, technical assistance, and long-term relationships with borrowers and community partners.
HCL has established an affordable homeownership system that provides financing for homebuilders to homebuyers to homeowners including debt consolidation and credit builder loans, mortgage and construction financing, home repair and rehabilitation, and small business lending. The organization has developed specialized expertise in financing homes on Hawaiian Home Lands, supporting families facing financial hardship, preserving homeownership, and filling gaps left by conventional lenders. Since its inception, HCL has helped more than 6,500 Hawaiʻi households access over $203 million in grants, loans, and mortgage financing. Its capacity to respond at scale was demonstrated during COVID-19, when HCL was entrusted with approximately $40 million to help thousands of families avoid foreclosure and eviction, and more recently through its support for families and communities affected by the Lahaina wildfires and Kona Low, Lala, and Lowell tropical storms.
Today, HCL is well-positioned to scale dramatically in its next chapter. The organization has grown from a $3 million fund in 2020 to approximately $25 million and has built the lending, servicing, financial, and organizational infrastructure needed for accelerated growth. With deep community relationships, experienced leadership, and growing local and national recognition, HCL has the potential to become a $100+ million fund within five years while maintaining strong financial performance and meaningful community impact. This growth would enable HCL to mobilize significantly more capital, reach more families, strengthen a new affordable homeownership system, and demonstrate the power of mission-driven finance to create lasting economic opportunity and prevent outmigration of Hawaiʻi residents.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Chief Executive Officer will lead HCL into its next chapter, building upon a strong foundation while helping define the organization’s ambition, reach, and influence for years to come. This is an opportunity to lead a distinctive financial institution at the intersection of affordable homeownership, community development, and economic opportunity, and to shape how capital can be deployed more effectively to serve Hawaiʻi’s families and communities. In partnership with the Board and executive team, the CEO will establish HCL's strategic direction, translate it into clear priorities and measurable results, and ensure HCL has the leadership, resources, and organizational capacity to grow responsibly.
A central mandate will be to expand and diversify the capital available to HCL, strengthening the financial foundation for its next phase of growth. The CEO will be a trusted and highly visible representative of HCL to banks, investors, foundations, corporations, government agencies, Native Hawaiian institutions, and other mission-aligned partners. Grounded in credibility, authenticity, and a deep understanding of HCL’s mission, the CEO will open doors to new sources of capital, innovative financing opportunities, and strategic partnerships. The successful candidate will be energized by bringing people and institutions together around a compelling purpose and inspiring confidence in HCL’s vision and continued growth.
The CEO will also guide HCL’s strategic expansion, identifying opportunities to extend its reach while maintaining the financial strength, risk discipline, and community accountability that have enabled its success. Building on HCL’s established lending platform, the CEO will advance opportunities in affordable homeownership, housing and construction finance, small business lending, and other areas where flexible, mission-driven capital can address unmet need. The leader will bring an enterprise perspective to growth, balancing opportunity with financial sustainability and ensuring that new initiatives are supported by the appropriate capital, infrastructure, talent, and capabilities.
As HCL’s chief external voice, the CEO will elevate the organization’s profile and influence locally and nationally, helping shape the broader policy and financing environment in which HCL operates. The role will include engaging policymakers, public agencies, Native Hawaiian institutions, community leaders, funders, financial institutions, and industry partners to advance policies and resources that expand access to housing and capital. Internally, the CEO will foster a high-performing, collaborative culture, partner effectively with the Board and executive team, and ensure the organization remains focused on both strong performance and meaningful community outcomes. Ultimately, the opportunity is to help shape not only HCL’s future, but the broader ecosystem of capital and opportunity available to Hawaiʻi’s communities.
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished, highly relational executive who combines strategic vision, financial acumen, and executive leadership with a genuine commitment to Hawaiʻi and its communities. They will have demonstrated success mobilizing capital, building and stewarding institutional relationships, leading through an experienced executive team, and working effectively with a Board and diverse external stakeholders. Candidates may come from banking, community development finance, affordable housing, commercial or mortgage lending, impact investing, philanthropy, economic development, or another mission-driven financial environment; direct CDFI experience is valuable but not essential. Above all, HCL seeks a leader who leads with integrity and cultural humility, earns trust authentically, and is inspired by the opportunity to use capital, relationships, and leadership to create greater housing and economic opportunity for generations of Hawaiʻi families.
Target Annual Salary: $250,000 - $275,000
THE SEARCH PROCESS
The Hawaiʻi Community Lending Search Committee welcomes your comments, inquiries, applications, and nominations/referrals for the Chief Executive Officer opportunity.
Upon review of all the applicants, the Search Committee will select qualified candidates to be interviewed. Thereafter, the Search Committee will advise the Board of Directors on the selection of the CEO for final review and approval.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following, addressed to Hawaiʻi Community Lending Search Committee, c/o Inkinen Executive Search, via email to executives@inkinen.com by October 23, 2026:
Cover Letter – expressing the reason for your interest in Hawaiʻi Community Lending, and how your skills and experience match the Chief Executive Officer role.
Resume
POSITION DOCUMENTS
Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, Executive Director
September 8, 2026
Inkinen is assisting Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association with their search for an Executive Director.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) serves as the statewide voice for Hawaiʻi’s hotel and tourism industry. Its membership includes approximately 600 organizations, including roughly 175 hotels and more than 400 tourism-related businesses, allied organizations, and industry partners across the islands, united around a shared commitment to advocacy, education, workforce development, philanthropy, and a strong visitor industry.
HLTA’s community impact is highly visible through the Hawaiʻi Hotel Industry Foundation (HHIF). Signature programs and events such as the Citizen-Scholar Awards, Charity Walk, Annual Scholarship Golf Fundraiser, scholarships, student recognition, mentoring, and other charitable efforts demonstrate the industry’s longstanding investment in Hawaiʻi’s students, workforce, nonprofits, and communities.
HLTA is well positioned for its next chapter with committed membership, deep statewide relationships, a strong financial foundation, and a meaningful record of advocacy and community impact. The organization has an opportunity to further strengthen its focus on Hawaiʻi’s hotel and tourism industry as a unified source of resources, advocacy, and member services, bringing the industry together around a clear, credible, and unified voice.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
HLTA seeks a dynamic, credible, collaborative, and highly connected Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and influence. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership, strengthen financial and organizational performance, enhance member value, and advance the interests of Hawaiʻi’s lodging and visitor industry. The next leader will have an opportunity to assess its structure, resources, staffing, technology, partnerships, and operating model while building on an established foundation.
Hawaiʻi tourism is entering an important new chapter, shaped by evolving visitor expectations, workforce and economic pressures, changing politics, and growing attention to tourism’s impact on communities, infrastructure, and the environment. The Executive Director will serve as HLTA’s principal advocate with the State Legislature, Governor’s Office, county governments, agencies, elected officials, media, businesses, and community organizations. Success will require communicating tourism’s significant economic and community contributions, engaging effectively with community concerns, building coalitions around shared priorities, coordinating industry positions, and strengthening relationships with organizations including the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB), Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, and other public- and private-sector partners and peer organizations.
The Executive Director will work closely with the Board, staff, members, volunteers, and partners to strengthen organizational capabilities, enhance member value, expand engagement, and position HLTA for continued growth and influence. The Executive Director will have broad accountability for membership, advocacy, communications, events, education, partnerships, financial stewardship, and organizational strategy, while identifying new ways to deliver value and bring the industry together. The role also offers an opportunity to build on HLTA’s community impact through the Hawaiʻi Hotel Industry Foundation’s scholarships, student recognition, Charity Walk, nonprofit support, and mentoring initiatives, elevating the story of the hospitality industry’s investment in Hawaiʻi’s people, communities, and future.
The ideal candidate will be a senior leader with strong Hawaiʻi knowledge and relationships, credibility in lodging, tourism, hospitality, business, government affairs, or a related field, and demonstrated success leading a team and working with elected officials, policymakers, industry leaders, community organizations, and Boards of Directors. Essential qualities include exceptional communication and public-speaking skills, coalition-building ability, strategic and political judgment, financial and operational acumen, relationship-building skills, diplomacy, resilience, consensus-building, and an entrepreneurial mentality. This leader will help shape the future of Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry by positioning HLTA as a unifying force and leading voice for Hawaiʻi’s lodging and tourism industry.
Target Annual Salary: $200,000 - $250,000
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following, addressed to HLTA Search Committee, c/o Inkinen Executive Search, via email to executives@inkinen.com by October 9, 2026:
Cover Letter – expressing the reason for your interest in HLTA, and how your skills and experience match the Executive Director role.
Resume
POSITION DOCUMENTS
Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable, Executive Director
August 19, 2026
Inkinen is assisting Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable (HBR) with their search for an Executive Director.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable (HBR) is a statewide public policy organization comprised of Hawaiʻi’s leading CEOs and senior executives, united by a commitment to advancing the state’s economic vitality and social well-being. HBR brings together leaders across industries to focus their collective expertise and influence on issues of significance to Hawaiʻi, serving as a forum for informed discussion and working in partnership with government, business, education, research, and community organizations to advance meaningful solutions.
HBR’s work is focused on several issues critical to Hawaiʻi’s future, including education and workforce development, housing availability, economic innovation, tourism, and military affairs. Through its membership, policy engagement, economic forums, research partnerships, and relationships across the public and private sectors, HBR provides a unique platform for business leaders to help shape the conversations and decisions that will influence Hawaiʻi’s long-term prosperity.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead one of Hawaiʻi’s most prominent business leadership organizations at a pivotal time for the state. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with an exceptional network of CEOs and senior executives, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for HBR’s mission, policy priorities, member engagement, external affairs, communications, programs, and operations.
The next Executive Director will be responsible for maximizing the collective influence of HBR’s membership, turning the insight, relationships, and expertise of its leaders into a focused strategy and a stronger voice on the issues that matter most to Hawaiʻi. The leader will set priorities with the Board, engage members around a common agenda, and ensure that HBR’s resources and activities are aligned toward meaningful outcomes. This will require a sophisticated understanding of when and where HBR can have the greatest impact, as well as the ability to move the organization from ideas and dialogue to action.
A significant opportunity for the incoming leader will be to elevate HBR’s engagement with policymakers and government leaders. The Executive Director will strengthen relationships across the public sector, anticipate emerging issues, and position HBR to contribute constructively and credibly to policy discussions before decisions are made. The role will require a leader who can navigate complex political and stakeholder environments while maintaining HBR’s reputation for thoughtful, fact-based, and solutions-oriented engagement.
The ideal candidate will bring a sophisticated understanding of Hawaiʻi’s business, economic, political, and civic landscape, together with a demonstrated ability to build trust and influence among senior leaders and diverse stakeholders. Experience in public policy, government affairs, economic development, business leadership, public affairs, or similarly complex environments will be highly valued. The ideal candidate will bring an appreciation for Hawaii's unique economic landscape, some knowledge of the hospitality industry and military-community relationships, and the ability to engage effectively with leaders across the business, government, military, education, and nonprofit sectors. HBR seeks a leader with executive presence, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, exceptional communication and facilitation skills, and the ability to listen, build consensus, and translate ideas into action.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly relational leader to work alongside some of Hawaiʻi’s most accomplished executives and play a consequential role in shaping the state’s future. The successful candidate will bring energy, initiative, integrity, and a strong sense of accountability, while serving as a thoughtful steward of HBR’s reputation and influence. Above all, the Executive Director will be motivated by the opportunity to advance the economic vitality and social well-being of Hawaiʻi and help shape a stronger future for its people and communities.
Target Annual Base Salary: $180,000 - $200,000
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following, addressed to HBR Search Committee, c/o Inkinen Executive Search, via email to executives@inkinen.com by September 25, 2026:
Cover Letter – expressing the reason for your interest in HBR, and how your skills and experiences match the Executive Director role.
Resume