Hawai’i Executive Collaborative
Hawai'i Executive Collaborative is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that convenes senior executives across business, government, labor, education, nonprofit, and cultural sectors to drive collective action on Hawai'i's systemic challenges through initiatives, conferences, and programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersHonolulu, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hawai’i Executive Collaborative does
Hawai'i Executive Collaborative (HEC) is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that convenes senior executives across Hawai'i's business, government, labor, education, nonprofit, and cultural sectors to drive collective action on systemic challenges including climate change, affordable housing, workforce development, education alignment, and cultural preservation. Founded in 2018 as a reincorporation of the Hawai'i Executive Conference (originally established in 1963) with backing from the aio Foundation and Chairman Duane Kurisu, HEC operates a portfolio of initiatives including the annual invite-only Hawai'i Executive Conference, the TRUE Initiative (a parallel 501(c)(3) focused on technology adoption and workforce development), Climate Hawai'i, Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul, Housing for All, and education programs such as ClimbHI Bridge (47,000+ students reached since January 2021), Ka'u Dream, Movers and Shakas/HITOP, and the TRUE Esports + Tech Lab.
The organization is supported by a 5-10 person staff and a Leadership Committee composed of CEOs from Hawai'i's largest organizations across healthcare (Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen's Health Systems, Kaiser Permanente), banking (Bank of Hawai'i, First Hawaiian Bank, American Savings Bank), energy (Hawaiian Electric), shipping (Matson), ranching (Parker Ranch), education (Kamehameha Schools, University of Hawai'i), and philanthropy (Hawaii Community Foundation, aio Group). HEC's network represents approximately 36,000 employees across the state and $220 million+ in philanthropic dollars invested in the community through its member leaders.
Revenue is not publicly disclosed. HEC operates on a nonprofit financial model funded by foundation grants (Castle Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Omidyar ʻOhana Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation), corporate philanthropy and sponsorship, and member engagement. Distribution is primarily through direct convening with executive leadership networks rather than commercial sales channels. Geographic scope is the State of Hawai'i, though the annual conference draws attendees from the U.S. mainland and Asia.
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hawai’i Executive Collaborative
- Legal name
- Hawai'i Executive Collaborative
- Website
- https://hec.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hawai'i Executive Collaborative is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that convenes senior executives across business, government, labor, education, nonprofit, and cultural sectors to drive collective action on Hawai'i's systemic challenges through initiatives, conferences, and programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Collaborative Leadership and Convening Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA)
Keywords
Where Hawai’i Executive Collaborative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Honolulu
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic/Foundation Support: HEC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by foundation grants and corporate philanthropy. Partners include numerous foundations and corporations that provide financial support for the organization's collaborative initiatives.
- Membership/Leadership Network: HEC membership comprises CEOs and senior executives who commit to collaborative engagement. The organization leverages the collective leadership of senior executives to accelerate building of a resilient Hawai'i.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hawai'i Executive Collaborative (HEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that mobilizes, supports, and leverages the collective leadership of senior executives to address systemic challenges facing Hawai'i. It operates a portfolio of collaborative initiatives including the annual Hawai'i Executive Conference, the TRUE Initiative for technology adoption, Climate Hawai'i, Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul, Housing for All, and workforce development programs such as ClimbHI Bridge, Movers and Shakas/HITOP, and Ka'u Dream.
Product overview
Hawai'i Executive Collaborative (HEC) is a nonprofit backbone organization that operates as a portfolio of collaborative initiatives rather than a single product. The core offerings include the annual Hawai'i Executive Conference for executive networking, the TRUE Initiative for technology adoption and workforce development, Climate Hawai'i for climate action, Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul for cultural perpetuation, and Housing for All for affordable housing solutions. HEC also manages education programs including Ka'ū Dream/Hawai'i Dream, ClimbHI Bridge, Movers and Shakas/HITOP, and the TRUE Esports + Tech Lab. The TRUE Initiative operates as a parallel 501(c)(3) focused on building Hawai'i's technology-enabled economy through collective action.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TRUE Initiative: Technology Readiness User Evaluation — a program accelerating technology adoption and building Hawai'i's technology-enabled economy.
- Climate Hawai'i
- Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul
- Hawai'i Executive Conference
Products and services
- Hawai'i Executive Conference Annual invite-only conference for CEOs, top decision-makers, and thought leaders from Hawai'i, U.S. mainland, and Asia to address critical issues affecting the islands and collaborate on solutions.
- TRUE Initiative (Technology Readiness User Evaluation) A Hawai'i-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns technology adoption into jobs, workforce capacity, and economic opportunity by convening public and private sector leaders to collectively adopt technology, share resources, and create playbooks for implementation.
- Climate Hawai'i Multi-sector climate initiative bringing together organizational leaders to support effective decarbonization and climate resilience actions through the Climate Coalition Pledge, requiring signatories to inventory emissions, set reduction goals, and collaborate on systemic climate initiatives.
- Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul (RHS) Network enabling leaders to collaborate and reimagine a thriving, inclusive future for Hawai'i, grounded in Native Hawaiian values and diverse perspectives, honoring and perpetuating Hawai'i's Soul as a model globally.
- Housing for All Initiative addressing Hawai'i's acute affordable housing crisis through cross-sector collaboration and inventive thinking to break through longstanding obstacles prolonging the housing crisis.
- ClimbHI Bridge Comprehensive online platform connecting educators with businesses through real-world opportunities including industry support, site visits, career fairs, internships, mentorships, and scholarships.
- Movers and Shakas / Hawai'i Talent Onboarding Program (HITOP) Employer-sponsored 8-week place-based immersion program helping newly relocated professionals (and their partners) build relationships, adapt to the community through cultural education, community service, and networking.
- Ka'ū Dream / Hawai'i Dream Community revitalization project using the Global Learning Lab model to build resilience in rural communities through educational opportunities, economic development, agriculture partnerships, and infrastructure improvements including high-speed internet.
- Hawai'i AI & Cloud Innovation Summit Annual statewide premier cross-sector convening for technology decision-makers from enterprise, government, academia, and technology industry to share best practices, explore solutions, and form strategic partnerships for workforce development and economic growth.
Quantifiable outcome
- 36,000 employees represented across member organizations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hawai’i Executive Collaborative
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- aio Foundationflagshipaio Foundation, led by Duane Kurisu, was instrumental in establishing HEC in 2018. The foundation saw purpose in continuing the Hawai'i Executive Conference's tradition with a renewed vision for collaborative leadership. aio Foundation's mission is directed at improving the welfare of Hawai'i's children.
- Hawai'i Community FoundationcoreHawai'i Community Foundation provides the CHANGE framework that HEC uses to organize initiative work and align efforts around common data to create shared goals. CEO Terry George serves on HEC's Board of Directors.
- Hawaii Pacific HealthcoreHawai'i Pacific Health, led by CEO Ray Vara who serves on HEC's Board of Directors, is a key partner in collaborative health initiatives and conference sponsorship.
- American Savings BankcoreAmerican Savings Bank, led by CEO Ann Teranishi who serves on HEC's Board of Directors, participates in financial sector collaboration and workforce initiatives.
- Kamehameha SchoolscoreKamehameha Schools, led by President Jack Wong who serves on HEC's Leadership Committee, is a major education-focused partner involved in early childhood learning initiatives and workforce development.
- Hawaiian ElectriccoreHawaiian Electric, led by President Shelee Kimura who serves on HEC's Leadership Committee, partners on energy and climate initiatives.
- Bank of Hawai'icoreBank of Hawai'i, led by President James Polk who serves on HEC's Leadership Committee, participates in financial inclusion and economic development initiatives.
- First Hawaiian BankcoreFirst Hawaiian Bank, led by Chairman Robert Harrison who serves on HEC's Leadership Committee, partners on workforce and economic initiatives.
- MatsoncoreMatson, led by Chairman Matthew Cox who serves on HEC's Leadership Committee, participates in supply chain and economic resilience initiatives.
- The Queen's Health SystemscoreThe Queen's Health Systems, led by CEO Cassen, participates in healthcare-focused collaborative initiatives and conference sponsorship.
- Kaiser PermanentecoreKaiser Permanente participates in healthcare workforce and community health initiatives through HEC collaboration and conference sponsorship.
- ClimbHIcoreClimbHI Bridge is a comprehensive online platform connecting educators with businesses for student career opportunities. Since January 2021, has reached 47,000+ students with 3,600 educators from 170 schools and 560 businesses onboarded.
- Movers and ShakascoreMovers and Shakas, created by CEOs and volunteers, attracts and retains professionals to Hawai'i. In 2022, launched HITOP (Hawai'i Talent Onboarding Program) for newly relocated professionals.
- Ka'u Dream / Hawai'i DreamcoreKa'u Dream project revitalized the rural Ka'u District through education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and sustainability initiatives. The Global Learning Lab model is being replicated as Hawai'i Dream statewide.
- TRUE Initiative Partners (AWS, NEC, Salesforce, etc.)coreTRUE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building Hawai'i's technology-enabled economy. Committee members include leaders from AWS, NEC, Salesforce, HMSA, Hawai'i Pacific Health, University of Hawai'i, HTDC, Servco, and others working on tech adoption and workforce development.
- Climate Hawai'i Coalition PartnerscoreClimate Hawai'i brings together organizational leaders for effective decarbonization and climate resilience. Partners sign the Climate Pledge committing to measure and reduce emissions and support systemic climate initiatives.
- University of Hawai'icoreUniversity of Hawai'i partners on workforce development, research initiatives, and technology literacy programs including the TRUE Initiative's Esports + Tech Lab.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Aspen Institute: A national nonprofit that convenes leaders across sectors around policy and societal issues. Comparable in its cross-sector leadership convening model, though at a much larger scale and broader geographic scope than HEC.
- Council on Foundations: A national membership association for grantmaking foundations. Comparable as a membership-based backbone organization that supports philanthropic institutions, overlapping with HEC's foundation partner ecosystem.
- Conference Board: A member-driven, nonpartisan business organization that convenes executives for research, networking, and policy insight. Comparable as a senior-executive membership and convening organization, though operating at national scale.
Regional players
- Hawaiʻi State Chamber of Commerce: The statewide chamber of commerce representing Hawai'i businesses. Comparable as a cross-sector business convening body in the same geography, with overlapping member leaders and policy engagement.
- Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB): A Hawai'i-based nonprofit focused on economic diversification, workforce development, and innovation — directly comparable in mission overlap with HEC's TRUE Initiative and ClimbHI Bridge programs.
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: Hawai'i's largest community foundation and a key HEC partner via the CHANGE framework. Operates in the same geography with an overlapping leadership network and convening role on community-impact initiatives.
Direct peers
- Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP): A CEO-led coalition that convenes corporations on societal issues. Comparable as a senior-executive convening organization driving cross-sector collective action, with similar backbone and advisory functions.
- Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable: A statewide, CEO-level business policy forum in Hawai'i focused on cross-sector economic and community issues. Highly comparable as a senior-executive convening organization operating in the same geography and overlapping member base.
- American Leadership Forum: A national network of cross-sector leadership fellowships that build trust among senior leaders across sectors. Comparable as a cross-sector leadership convening and backbone organization, with a similar model of curated executive cohorts.
Others
- Pacific Islands Forum: An intergovernmental organization convening Pacific island leaders on regional policy issues. Comparable in its regional cross-sector convening function for Pacific contexts, though at a sovereign-government scale rather than nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative social profiles
Digital presenceHawai’i Executive Collaborative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hawai’i Executive Collaborative
What does Hawai’i Executive Collaborative do?
Hawai'i Executive Collaborative (HEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that mobilizes, supports, and leverages the collective leadership of senior executives to address systemic challenges facing Hawai'i. It operates a portfolio of collaborative initiatives including the annual Hawai'i Executive Conference, the TRUE Initiative for technology adoption, Climate Hawai'i, Rediscovering Hawai'i's Soul, Housing for All, and workforce development programs such as ClimbHI Bridge, Movers and Shakas/HITOP, and Ka'u Dream.
Is Hawai’i Executive Collaborative a public or private company?
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hawai’i Executive Collaborative founded?
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hawai’i Executive Collaborative based?
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative is headquartered in Honolulu, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hawai’i Executive Collaborative make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic/Foundation Support is the primary driver. The others are membership/Leadership Network.
Who are Hawai’i Executive Collaborative's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Aspen Institute, Council on Foundations and Conference Board. Regional players are Hawaiʻi State Chamber of Commerce, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. Direct peers are Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable and American Leadership Forum. Pacific Islands Forum is listed as an others.
Does Hawai’i Executive Collaborative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hawai’i Executive Collaborative.
What industry is Hawai’i Executive Collaborative in?
Hawai’i Executive Collaborative's product category is Executive Collaborative Leadership and Convening Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAMAA, Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites). Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.