Strategic Advisory Board

A respected visionary and leader, AHL’s president and chief executive officer, Bettina Mehnert, FAIA, LEED AP is a force in the evolution and innovation in Hawaii’s architectural sector. Her philosophy blends a focus on sustainability, technology, firm culture, client cultivation, and community service as inseparable filaments of professional leadership, keeping her almost 75-year-old firm firmly faced towards the future.

In recognition of her management style and leadership, Mehnert has been honored with numerous awards and in 2016 was named a Fellow in the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), a prestigious honor held only by 53 architects in Hawaii since 1948. She was named CEO of the Year by Hawaii Business Magazine in 2019.

In 2018, Mehnert was appointed to the new five-member Honolulu Climate Change Commission. She uses her background in architecture and engineering and her expertise in the built environment to advocate for strong resiliency policies.

A licensed architect in her native Germany and in Hawaii and Guam, she is an active member of AIA Honolulu and International Chapters, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) where she serves on ULI’s National Council on Responsible Property Investment and Advisory Services Panel, and most recently on the Strategic Advisory Board of Hawaii Energy. Mehnert also serves on the board of Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Hawaii and as a trustee of St. Andrew’s Schools.

Brent Kakesako is the executive director of the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED), a nonprofit that strengthens the strategic readiness of communities and the capacity of community-based organizations to achieve their vision of genuine wealth. Brent is humbled to carry on HACBED’s 26-year legacy by overseeing its management, operations, and strategy; developing and coaching the team; and providing capacity building, facilitation, network building, and other technical support. Brent co-facilitated a local chapter of a global accelerator that led to the launch of three companies and co-founded a consultancy that supported local entrepreneurs with creating community-focused programs. He received his MBA from the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, a law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, and a bachelor of arts cum laude from Harvard University. Brent is a board member of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Oʻahu Workforce Development Board, and Community Steering Committee Member for Prosperity Now.

With 37 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jason joined the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1987 as an information systems manager to the Kyo-ya/Sheraton Hotels. He advanced through various operational departments and led improvement projects eventually being appointed as the General Manager, Support Services, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Waikiki for his last 6 years until leaving to join Kyo-ya in 2009. Jason serves as Kyo-ya’s vice president, Administration, Labor and Community Relations. His responsibilities are aligned with and perpetuates Kyo-ya’s core values of taking care of its employees, supporting and doing what is right for the community, and maintaining the long term legacy and stewardship of its assets.

Commissioner Jennifer Potter began her term with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in July 2018 for a term to expire June 30, 2024. Jennifer was previously a faculty member at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI). Prior to joining HNEI, Jennifer was a Sr. Scientific Engineering Associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Preceding her stint in academia, Jennifer worked for Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Roseville Electric as a Principal Forecaster, Project Manager, and Enterprise Performance Manager. Jennifer has a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Studies from Southern Oregon University.

Lauren Zirbel has served as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Food Industry Association from January of 2012 to the present. Lauren is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the association. She serves as the publisher of the Hawaii Retail Grocer Magazine.

Lauren transitioned HFIA to the next generation of organizational leaders and successfully incorporated new companies’ viewpoints and strategic goals into the HFIA’s platform. Lauren directs and coordinates all activities and programs conducted by the association.

Lauren has developed relationships with many non-profit and government leaders and spearheaded proactive legislative solutions to advance the affordability and sustainability of food in Hawaii.

Lauren is directly responsible for overseeing the administration of Made in Hawaii Festival, the largest tradeshow in the State of Hawaii.

Lisa Maruyama has served as the President and CEO of the Hawai`i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations for 12 years. She served previously as the Vice President of Public Affairs for Bright Light Marketing, and before that as Executive Directors for the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council and the Mental Health Association. She has a particular focus in strategic thinking for systems change, nonprofit management, strategic communications and marketing, program development, sector level public policy issues and government relations.

Maruyama is on the board of the O`ahu Economic Development Board, the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, O`ahu; the Advisory Committee of the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa Public Administration Program; and the Leadership Board of Transform Hawaii Government (THG).

Maruyama received her BBA from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Shidler School of Business. She is a Pacific Century Fellow, Weinberg Fellow, PONO Fellow and was designated Top Forty Under 40 by the Pacific Business News in 2001.

Walter Thoemmes is Managing Director of Kamehameha Schools (KS) Commercial Real Estate Division (CRED). He directs KS’ $3.5B Commercial Real Estate portfolio consisting of 275 assets located on Oʻahu and Hawaii Island.

The 47-person CRED team he leads includes Planning and Development, Asset Management, Transactions and Portfolio Finance functions. His current work involves advancing plans for KS holdings in Mōʻiliʻili, Kapālama, Waipahu, Waiawa, Kāhala, Keauhou, Kaonohi and Kāneʻohe; creating portfolio value and income to support the educational mission; connecting student learning to business and work opportunities; and creating communities through thoughtful planning and strategic partnerships.

Employed at KS for 23 years, he has previously held roles of Chief of Staff to the CEO, and Director of Facilities Development & Support. He has been involved in major projects such as the development of Kakaʻako, the Kā Pua Initiative in Waiʻanae, and the development of the Maui and Hawaii Campuses.

A 1984 alumnus of Kamehameha Schools, he went on to graduate from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, School of Architecture and is a licensed architect who worked in private practice for 7 years prior to joining Kamehameha Schools