Elena Farden began her new role as Senior Director of Strategy and Implementation on Oct. 1. She leads the newly created Strategy and Implementation team, overseeing the Director of Education and Culture-Based Learning; the Director of ‘Ōiwi Well-Being and ʻĀina Momona; the Director of Housing, Infrastructure, and Sustainability; and the Director of Economic and Business Resilience.
Farden is responsible for implementing the agency’s strategic directions under its strategic plan. Those directions guide and focus OHA’s work in the areas of education, health, housing and economics.
For the last five years, Farden has served as the executive director of the Native Hawaiian Education Council. She is a former education and community manager with Elemental Excelerator, and a former strategic analyst with Kamehameha Schools. Farden carries a master’s in business administration and is pursuing her doctorate in education, both from Chaminade University, and earned her BA in telecommunications from Pepperdine University.
“I am deeply honored and excited to step into this new role. My journey in Native Hawaiian education policy and advocacy has always centered around strengthening our communities, empowering our people, and fostering our connection to our ʻāina and culture,” Farden said.
