Our Team

Elizabeth Pickett


Elizabeth Pickett (pictured left), Co-Executive Director at Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization since 2008, leads wildfire mitigation efforts in Hawaii and the Pacific. She emphasizes collaboration, coordination, and inclusivity for wildfire readiness.

Additionally, she serves as Vice President of the Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group and co-founded the Pacific Fire Exchange project. Elizabeth holds a Masters of Environmental Science from Yale and a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley. Beyond work, she enjoys kitesurfing, painting, and family time with her son, Laith.

Nani Barretto


Andrea "Nani" Barretto (pictured right), HWMO's Co-Executive Director since September 2019, leads with collaboration, inspiration, and clarity. With experience in public service and social science, she holds a Masters from Johns Hopkins and a Bachelor's from Emory. Nani enjoys parenting three children, caring for five backyard chickens, a new puppy, and a happy marriage.

  • Jessica Santa Cruz

    Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager

  • Deven Aruda

    Wildfire Collaboration Program Coordinator

  • Allyson Earl

    Wildfire Mapping Technician

  • Orlando Smith

    Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

  • Charice Hirai

    Office Assistant

  • Lisa Gollin

    Wildfire Science Program Support

  • Dana Aina

    Firewise Community Support Specialist

  • Tom Loomis

    Project Assistant

  • Melissa Chimera

    Pacific Fire Exchange (PFX) Project Coordinator

Board of Directors

  • Dave Faucette

    HWMO President, Fundraising Committee Chair

  • Mark Thorne, Ph.D.

    HWMO Interim Treasurer, Executive Committee Chair

  • Carolyn Stewart

    HWMO Co-Secretary, Finance Committee Chair

  • Dan Dennison

    Communications Director, Department of Land & Natural Resources

  • Patrick Durland

    Wildland Fire Manager & Consultant

  • Troy D. Gibson, Sr.

    Incident Commander, Hawaii Fire Department

  • Jack Minassian

    Associate Professor & Fire Science Program Coordinator, Hawaii Community College