Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi to Name New CEO
Burgandie Onekea will take over as president and CEO of the statewide organization on November 1, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
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Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi has appointed Burgandie Onekea as its new president and CEO, effective November 1, 2026. She will spearhead the organization's statewide strategy, fundraising, and programming efforts.
Why it matters
The board of directors selected Onekea for her extensive history of expanding the reach and capacity of nonprofit organizations. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the group's efforts in student development and educational programming across the state.
Onekea brings 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to the role. She is credited with achieving sevenfold growth in annual student experiences during her previous tenure in Orange County.
The players
Burgandie Onekea
She is an experienced nonprofit leader who previously served as chief regional officer for Junior Achievement of Southern California.
Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi
The organization is a nonprofit focused on youth education, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy across the state.
The details
Onekea will oversee growth and capacity for Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi after serving in various leadership capacities across the country. Her background includes executive roles at the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Timeline
Burgandie Onekea begins her role as president and CEO on Nov. 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition reflects a broader trend among major youth-focused nonprofits to recruit experienced executives from larger regional branches. The move positions the Hawaii branch to integrate established national fundraising methodologies into its local operations.
Local students and community partners should anticipate changes in program availability as the organization shifts its fundraising and growth strategy under new leadership. These adjustments may impact the volume and type of educational opportunities available to schools throughout Hawaii.
The takeaway
Onekea represents a significant investment in long-term organizational capacity for local youth programs. Her return to Hawaii after three decades of national leadership underscores a push to apply large-scale organizational success to state-level educational missions.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership shifts in People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maui Now | Hawaii News | Local Maui News and Information | Hawaii News.
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