Our Team

Elizabeth Pickett


Elizabeth Pickett (pictured left), Co-Executive Director at Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization since 2008, leads wildfire mitigation efforts in Hawaiʻi 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 Master 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 Master's 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.

  • Deven Aruda

    Wildfire Collaboration Program Coordinator/ Program Support

  • Cassandra Smith

    Firewise Program Coordinator - Maui County

  • Heather Forester

    Community Wildfire Planner

  • Ashley Bare

    Firewise Community Support Specialist

  • Harriet Parsons

    Firewise Community Support Specialist

  • Dana Aina

    Firewise Community Support Specialist

  • Lisa Gollin

    Wildfire Science Program Support

  • Sara Gabrielson

    Pacific Fire Science Exchange Program Coordinator

  • Allyson Earl

    Wildfire Mapping Technician

  • Orlando Smith

    Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

  • Tom Loomis

    Project Assistant

  • Charice Hirai

    Office Assistant

Board of Directors

  • Dan Dennison

    HWMO Chair

    Communications Director Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

  • Jack Minassian

    HWMO Vice-Chair

    Associate Professor & Fire Science Program Coordinator, Hawaiʻi Community College

  • M. Carolyn Stewart

    HWMO Co-Founder, Secretary

    Environmental Planner

  • Cody Winchester

    HWMO Treasurer

    Senior Planner  G70

  • Mark Thorne, Ph.D.

    HWMO Co-Founder

    Range and Livestock Specialist - UH-Manoa Cooperative Extension

  • Patrick Durland

    HWMO Board Member

    Wildland Fire Manager & Consultant

  • Troy D. Gibson, Sr.

    HWMO Board Member

    Incident Commander, Hawaiʻi Fire Department

  • Sofia Luczak

    New HWMO Board Member - Welcome!

    Community Planning Specialist, Shake Energy Collaborative

  • Troy Whitman

    New HWMO Board Member - Welcome!

    Electric Utility Wildfire Expert

View Our Board of Directors Bios