NEWS RELEASE
Kamehameha Schools names Brandi Beaudet director of ʻĀina Engagement
Posted: July 25, 2016
HONOLULU - Kamehameha Schools has named Brandi Beaudet director of ‘Āina Engagement – a position within KS’ Community and Engagement and Resources Group (CE&R).
‘Āina Engagement is a new Division in Kamehameha Schools that is charged with elevating the quality and quantity of Kamehameha’s ‘ike Hawai‘i (Hawaiian knowledge and understanding) efforts and ‘āina-based learning sites on its lands across the state.
Beaudet, who assumed his new role in April, is responsible for leading KS’ ‘āina-based education operations which include linking land, water, technology, and sustainability to educational efforts in the community and connecting Hawai‘i’s learners of all ages to KS lands.
Prior to joining KS, Beaudet worked as a land manager for Parker Ranch on Hawai‘i island for 16 years. He was responsible for resource and contract management, project development, government relations and community engagement.
While at Parker Ranch he was also part of the organizing party for the Kohala Watershed Partnership and the West Hawai‘i Wildlife Management Organization. Both organizations are committed to the preservation and protection of the watershed and open lands on Hawai‘i island.
Additionally, Beaudet served as commissioner on the Hawai‘i Leeward Planning Commission for seven years and as chairman for two years.
“My path to Kamehameha Schools has been anything but 'cookie-cutter,'” Beaudet said.
“Because of that, I bring a perspective on leadership and team development that is not so common in today's business environment. My hope is that my own style of leadership will encourage others, bringing new perspectives in developing our strategies toward meeting our objectives of SP2020 – KS’ new strategic plan. My goal is to build a team with the ‘Āina Engagement group and our Statewide Operations Division that will facilitate our organization's progress through collaborative efforts with communities throughout the pae ‘āina (island chain),” he added.
“In Brandi, CE&R has a mature kanaka leader and keiki o ka ‘āina,” said Sydney Keli‘ipule‘ole, senior director of statewide operations for CE&R.
“I am looking forward to working with him to firm-up this new ‘Āina Engagement team and operationalizing its day-to-day actions that seek to strengthen Native Hawaiian identity within our learners.”
A graduate of Konawaena High School, Beaudet was raised in Kailua-Kona. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Chaminade University of Honolulu and currently resides in Waimea on Hawai‘i island.
