Imua Family Services appoints Brian Nagami as Chief Operating Officer

As Imua Family Services prepares to celebrate 80 years of serving children, families, and the Maui community, the organization is expanding its leadership structure to support continued growth and new strategic initiatives.

Effective Sept. 1, Brian Nagami stepped into the newly established role of Chief Operating Officer, expanding his leadership responsibilities across the organization. In this role, Nagami will oversee operations, facilities, technology and information systems, and organizational infrastructure, helping to strengthen the systems and resources that support Imua’s growing staff, programs, and community impact.

Nagami has been part of the Imua Family Services ʻohana for 13 years, bringing a combination of organizational knowledge, nonprofit leadership, technology expertise, and deep community connections to the new position. He previously served as Imua’s Program Director from 2011 to 2016, where he helped expand the organization’s Early Childhood Development Program through community collaboration and data-informed planning. He returned to Imua in 2018 as Director of Information, leading the organization’s communications and information systems while overseeing technology strategy, operational systems, and technical support across the agency.

Prior to and between his roles at Imua, Nagami served as Executive Director of the Maui County Workforce Development Board, where he directed countywide workforce development initiatives and helped establish the Maui American Job Center. His earlier professional experience also includes leadership and program roles with Hale Makua Health Services, the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi, Maui AIDS Foundation, and the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Program.

“Imua has been changing lives in our community for generations, and I am honored to help lead that work into the future,” said Nagami. “I look forward to strengthening relationships with our families, partners, donors, and supporters as we continue building a more inclusive and supportive Maui for everyone.”

Nagami’s appointment comes at a time of continued growth for Imua Family Services, including an expanding staff and the development of new strategic initiatives as the organization looks toward its 80th anniversary. The creation of the COO position reflects the organization’s investment in the operational capacity needed to support that growth while continuing to deliver on its longstanding commitment to children and families across Maui County.

In addition to his professional leadership, Nagami has been deeply involved in Maui’s community and cultural life. He has served as Artistic Director and Lead Instructor of Maui Taiko, Vice Chair of the Maui County Sister Cities Foundation, President and longtime board member of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, and in leadership roles with the Maui Matsuri Festival. He is also a graduate of the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship and holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“Brian’s tenure with Imua has provided him with a deep understanding of our organization across multiple programs and services. That understanding, combined with his experience in organizational leadership and his longstanding commitment to our community, makes him well positioned for this role,” said Dean Wong, CEO of Imua Family Services.

As Imua Family Services approaches its 80th anniversary, the organization continues to build on nearly eight decades of service while looking ahead to the needs and opportunities of the next generation.