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📊 Opinion Research

Lisa delivers powerful research insights through partnerships with top-tier polling firms and thought leaders. We combine boutique-level client attention with the methodological innovation and analytical strength of a larger team to offer a full suite of research tools.

​Recent Projects Include:

  • AFSCME: Ongoing membership research for the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees, the largest public employee union in the US.

  • Child Mental Health: Surveys of healthcare professionals across Hawaiʻi assessing knowledge and comfort in treating children with mental illness, including a study on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder screening and diagnosis.

  • Maui Wildfires: Focus groups and polling of over 1,100 fire survivors as part of a countywide study. Findings were submitted to Congress by Rep. Jill Tokuda and widely cited in local and national media as “a story of despair.” 🔗 Maui Wildfire Assessment Report (2024)

  • Biden White House: Polling on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision and message testing for First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

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Nonprofit Management & Consulting

Provide strategic leadership and operational support to nonprofits during moments of growth and crisis.

Key Highlights:

Maui United Way

  • Served as Interim Director post-fires; oversaw $15M in direct aid and community services to fire-impacted families.

  • Directed communications, development, community outreach, and impact.

  • Authored Maui United Way’s 2023–2024 Impact Report, which included many organizational firsts and highlighted unprecedented disaster response and long-term recovery efforts.  MUW Impact Report 

  • Managed staff and consultants, supported internal promotions, and improved technology and infrastructure.

  • Engaged a broad donor base, from first-time givers to foundations and corporate partners.

  • Co-presented disaster equity insights at the 2024 National VOAD Conference.

Grant Writing & Funding Strategy

Secured millions in federal, state, local, and private grants for Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits.

Grantmaking

  • Wrote and reviewed RFPs for grants ranging from $10,000 to $1.5M.

  • Designed equity-based evaluation criteria and improved transparency in the grant process.

  • Awarded millions in grants with an emphasis on community-driven impact..

Leadership Recruitment

  • Led successful CEO and Development Director searches at Maui United Way.

  • Chaired CEO search for Hawaiʻi Island Land Trust

 

Communications

Deep expertise in message strategy and execution across platforms and audiences. Services Include:

  • Message development and narrative strategy

  • Media engagement and spokesperson training

  • Professional writing:

    •      Opinion research decks, reports, and memos

    •      Nonprofit impact reports

    •      Grant proposals and government funding requests

    •      Media advisories and press releases

    •      Website content

    •       Fundraising appeals

    •      Speeches and talking points

    •      Compliance documents (e.g., safety manuals, SOPs)

 

Team & Project Management

Trusted leadership for complex, cross-sector initiatives and long-term strategic projects.

Notable Examples:

  • Managed a multi-phase national research project on transgender policies and public perception that involved four polling firms and several funding organizations.

  • Managed the 2022 Independent Expenditure (IE) campaign for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), active in four states and the Georgia run-off.

  • Secured USDA certification for Lānaʻi mobile venison slaughter unit, a complicated and arduous process.

  • Advised a national polling firm on professional development pathways to elevate women and people of color into senior roles.

  • Hands-on professional development, coaching, and mentorship support for individuals working in:

    •      Opinion research and data analysis

    •      Strategic advocacy and communications

    •      Nonprofit leadership and management

    •      Government policy and public affairs

    •      Personnel management

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Landscape Reviews of Existing Data

Expert in synthesizing data to guide decisions, shape policy, and improve communications.

Featured Projects:

  • Ford Foundation: Review of public and private data on reproductive health messaging and policy.

  • The Workers Lab & Aspen Institute: Gig Worker Learning Project—analyzed labor data and opinion research to improve conditions for gig workers. Read Report

  • Human Rights Campaign: Comprehensive review of research on transgender acceptance and policy implications.

  • Pūlama Lānaʻi: Authored first-ever sustainability progress report by synthesizing internal data across multiple departments.

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