Lihue, Hawaii, United States
Mai is a certified Project Manager and Risk Management Leader with 13 years of experience advising federal, state, and local leaders in the public sector. Her interests lie in helping organizations to strategically manage risks to improve its mission delivery, protect its resources and brand, foster an inclusive culture, and build resiliency. Her unique and comprehensive background includes experience at all levels of government: • Served as a trusted advisor at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) • Led teams across federal agencies in the health, civil, defense, and homeland security sectors • Managed the delivery of state assistance programs • Worked directly with local communities to build capacity Mai values inclusion, collaboration, and integrity. She enjoys bringing people together for a common cause, and leading and coaching diverse high performing teams. She holds a Master of International Affairs focused on Human Rights Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (The Gambia 2007-2009, China 2009-2010).
Advises federal and state clients on crisis management, risk management, organizational strategy and operations. Leads hybrid teams supporting clients in various sectors including health, energy, and homeland security.
Served as Chief of Staff in the State, Local, and Higher Ed (SLHE) Cyber and Strategic Risk sector.
Advised the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) and the Director of Equal Rights (OER) on diversity, inclusion, and engagement efforts. Led the Executive Secretariat for FEMA's Diversity Management Advisory Council (DMAC) and Liaison to the FEMA Employee Resource Groups (FERGs). Concurrent role to Strategic Risk Manager | Executive Officer.
Served as the Strategic Risk Manager | Executive Officer in the Federal Insurance Directorate (FID) at the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA). Advised the Assistant Administrator and the Deputy Assistant Administrator on strategy, risk management, audits and controls, organizational health, and operations. Led Executive Front Office operations to execute FEMA and FIMA’s mission. Concurrent role to Executive Secretariat for FEMA's Diversity Management Advisory Council and Liaison to FEMA Employee Resource Groups.
Selected as one of seven members of inaugural team to stand up the Enterprise Resource Planning Division (ERPD), Office of Policy and Program Analysis (OPPA).
Contributed to research relating to Japan-China relations, political economy of development, corporate governance and financial reform, central government-local relations, and elections.
The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services encourages self-sufficiency and supports the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Hawai‘i through public assistance programs and services. Served as a Specialist in the Kauai Processing Office.
Samata Foundation aims to end discrimination and promote inclusive democracy in Nepal by conducting research, advocacy and building capacity of the next generation of leaders and researchers from marginalized communities, particularly the Dalit community. Focused on research relating to identifying gaps in the current health delivery and care for the Dalit population. Proposed human rights centric policy to Nepalese government and to various non-governmental organizations to further their advocacy.