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