LIHU‘E — It’s official.
Lori L. Almarza is the Kaua‘i United Way executive director, announced the board of directors of Kaua‘i United Way on July 5.
The announcement confirmed the earlier “announcements” that Almarza was the head of the nonprofit organization, but needed “formal” confirmation by the board.
“This is a well-deserved promotion for Lori following her extraordinary 30-year career journey with the Kaua‘i United Way,” said board President Nick Courson in the announcement. “She has ably led the organization as acting executive director since 2020. We know she is capable of bringing Kaua‘i United Way and its partner agencies to new levels of success.”
KUW is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization, dedicated to serving the social needs of Kaua‘i since 1943. Its annual fundraising campaign supports the work of dozens of social service agencies on Kaua‘i each year. The spectrum of services supported by KUW fundraising efforts includes health care and mental health services, youth activities and mentoring, drug abuse prevention, emergency response, food insecurity, homelessness and more.
“I truly love Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i United Way,” Almarza said. “KUW’s support of the many social service agencies on our island home is crucial. Thousands of Kaua‘i people in need are impacted by our agencies, and I am genuinely excited to begin this new position and grow KUW in the years ahead.”
Almarza said the organization’s vetting process for selecting partner agencies for funding is what sets KUW apart from other social service organizations.
“There is a rigorous application process, which is followed by monitoring throughout the year,” Almarza said. “Social service needs on Kaua‘i are reevaluated annually, and our entire board participates in the process. It’s what helps us target the funds we raise to meet the wide range of social service needs on Kaua‘i.”
After joining KUW in 1993 as an office assistant, Almarza served for 25 years as KUW’s office manager before stepping into the acting executive director’s role in 2020.
“Lori’s unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to our organization over the past three decades have been nothing short of remarkable,” Courson said. “She has modernized our application process, successfully written for numerous grants, and maintained close relationships with our sister United Way agencies and the parent organization.”
Courson also expressed gratitude for Almarza’s dedication during the COVID-19 crisis.
“She demonstrated remarkable leadership skills and helped us stay focused on our mission while navigating an unprecedented worldwide crisis,” he said. “She helped us pivot to new fundraising opportunities when the pandemic prevented us from doing business as usual.”
With the support of Kaua‘i United Way Campaign Development Director Lynette Medrano-Stine, Almarza plans to expand outreach efforts, strengthen existing relationships, and secure increased funding to further the mission of Kaua‘i United Way — providing leadership to unite the people of Kaua‘i by sharing resources to better care for one another.
“With her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to our cause, I speak for the entire board when I say we are excited to witness the positive changes she and Lynette will bring to our organization and the lives we touch,” Courson said.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
