Maui Food Bank names Kaleena Wakamatsu Fryer as Chief Operating Officer

Maui Food Bank has named Maui native Kaleena Wakamatsu Fryer as Chief Operating Officer, bringing more than 16 years of retail and operations leadership experience to the organization. In her new role, Fryer leads Maui Food Bank’s food strategy across sourcing, operations, programs and agency relations, helping connect food donors and local growers with the network of partner agencies serving communities across Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

“Kaleena brings a strong combination of operational expertise, leadership and a deep personal connection to Maui,” said Brandi Saragosa, CEO of Maui Food Bank. “Her experience leading large teams and complex operations, including through the extraordinary challenges following the Lahaina wildfires, is an asset as we continue strengthening our ability to serve Maui County today and prepare for the needs of the future.”

Fryer most recently oversaw 11 Starbucks locations on Maui and a team of 227 employees. During her tenure, she opened two new stores and helped guide her teams through the immediate response and long-term recovery following the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. Her career also includes leadership positions with Ulta Beauty, Hallmark and Apple Inc., as well as experience managing multi-state districts across Alaska, Hawaiʻi and California.

Born and raised on Maui, Fryer grew up in her family’s business, Wakamatsu Fish Market in Wailuku. She said returning her professional focus to serving the community where she was raised was an important factor in joining Maui Food Bank.

“I believe we are all searching for work that gives us a sense of purpose, and for me, that purpose is rooted in serving the Maui community,” said Fryer. “There is no more important work than making sure our keiki, kūpuna and families have food they can rely on. Maui Food Bank has been doing that work for decades, during ordinary times and through some of our community’s most difficult moments, and I am honored to be part of it.”

As Chief Operating Officer, Fryer said one of her initial priorities is strengthening coordination across Maui Food Bank’s sourcing, operations and distribution functions to help food move safely, efficiently and equitably throughout Maui County.

“Day-to-day excellence and disaster readiness are not two separate efforts,” Fryer said. “Readiness is built before an emergency through strong relationships, reliable sourcing, disciplined food and workplace safety, a well-supported team, and storage and distribution capacity that can respond when our community needs us most.”

Fryer holds a Master of Management from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Redlands in Southern California.