HONOLULU, HI, July 17, 2025—Teach For America (TFA) Hawaiʻi is proud to welcome Meilan Akaka Manfre as its next Executive Director.

A Native Hawaiian, Akaka Manfre brings over 15 years of experience in education and leadership, deep ties to the local community, and a steadfast commitment to educational excellence and opportunity for Hawaiʻi’s students. As Executive Director, Akaka Manfre will lead all aspects of the organization’s regional operations.

Teach For America Hawaiʻi recruits, develops, and supports a diverse network of leaders who are committed to expanding educational opportunity across the state. Since its founding in 2006, TFA Hawaiʻi has supported hundreds of educators and alumni leaders serving students from Waiʻanae to Waimānalo and Kona to Pāhoa.

“Meilan brings a remarkable blend of experience, leadership, and heart to this role,” said Jeff Arce, TFA Hawaiʻi Regional Advisory Board Chair. “She’s deeply rooted in and familiar with many of the complex issues embedded in Hawaiʻi’s educational landscape, and she has a clear vision for how Teach For America Hawaiʻi can continue to partner with communities to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.”

“After over a decade of working together, I know Meilan leads with deep aloha, wisdom, and purpose,” said Teach For America Hawai’i’s outgoing Executive Director Jill Baldemor. “I’m grateful to pass the torch to someone so steeped in our mission and community.”

Akaka Manfre began her education journey with TFA as a 2008 Hawaiʻi corps member, returning home after earning her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College. She started her career as a special education teacher and department head at James Campbell High School before going on to co-found DreamHouse ʻEwa Beach public charter school and chair its nonprofit board.

From 2013 to 2023, Akaka Manfre held multiple staff leadership roles at Teach For America, including Manager of Teacher Leadership Development and Managing Director of Regional Team Initiatives. Most recently, Akaka Manfre served as a growth coach at her alma mater, Punahou School, where she launched its inaugural growth and development program. She also co-facilitated the Punahou Sustainability Fellowship for high school student leaders across the state. In addition, she founded Akaka Manfre Coaching and co-founded CoachEdPlus, LLC, offering coaching and consulting to education leaders nationwide.

“I’m honored to return to Teach For America Hawaiʻi in this new capacity,” said Akaka Manfre. “This community raised me, and I am proud to serve the next generation of students and leaders who will shape Hawaiʻi’s future. I look forward to partnering with our local schools and communities to build toward a more just and thriving education system for all keiki.”

Akaka Manfre holds a B.A. in Music from Wellesley College and an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and holds an active Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board license. She also serves on the board of the Rev. Abraham Kahu Akaka Ministries Foundation.

About Teach For America Hawaiʻi

Teach For America Hawaiʻi partners with communities across the islands to expand educational opportunities for local students. Since 2006, the organization has supported hundreds of educators who serve in classrooms and in leadership roles throughout the state. Today, Teach For America Hawaiʻi continues to deepen its impact by recruiting future educators and supporting an active network of alumni committed to opportunity and excellence in education. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org/hawaii.

Contact:
Rachel Tennenbaum
408.250.2877
Rachel.Tennenbaum@teachforamerica.org