HONOLULU – Bill Kumagai, seasoned strategy and information technology consultant with years of expertise in major enterprise-wide projects for local, state and federal government, has been named interim executive director of Transform Hawai‘i Government (THG).
THG is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that supports Hawai‘i state government modernization initiatives. It was founded by the Omidyar Ohana and Technology Transformation Funds, which are administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
Kumagai, who has been serving as THG’s public sector IT strategist since early 2023, succeeds Christine Maii Sakuda, who served as the nonprofit organization‘s executive director for the past seven years. She was recently appointed by Gov. Josh Green, MD, as the state’s chief information officer and will be responsible for organizing, managing and overseeing statewide information technology governance at the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. She assumes her new role on Aug. 3, 2024.
“As THG’s first executive director, Christine made great strides to support government transformation with recent efforts focusing on catalyzing organizational change management and providing industry best practices on projects such as the Enterprise Financial Management System. As a non-profit organization who works closely with state government, THG brings our diverse community members together to collaborate on improving digital access to government services,” said Micah Kane, CEO and president of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and chair of the THG board of directors. “I’m confident Christine will continue to make a positive difference as our state’s chief information officer and that Bill will continue to help accelerate the state’s modernization efforts.”
Kumagai served in various executive leadership roles with Gartner, a leading global technology research and advisory firm based in Stamford, Connecticut, from 1999 to 2021. During that 22-year period, Kumagai led Gartner Consulting public sector practice and was group vice president and region lead for all of North America, Gartner’s largest region; and group vice president of global consulting strategy and operations.
“State governments are facing modernization challenges across the nation. Hawai‘i definitely is not alone,” Kumagai said. “It has been rewarding to share my experience with Hawai‘i’s state government leaders to ensure Hawai‘i remains on a positive path forward.”
“Bill has been and will continue to be a great asset for THG. I leave THG in his capable hands as I focus on supporting state government IT transformation from my role within state government,” Sakuda said. “I look forward to partnering with people across government and with community organizations who share a common vision to make the business of government work for the people of Hawai‘i.”
Sakuda, a Windward O‘ahu resident, is a graduate of ‘Iolani School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Santa Clara University in California. She also holds a Japan focused Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Sakuda, is an Omidyar Fellow, and was an a founding board member of the TRUE Initiative. Sakuda is a hula practitioner with Hālau Hula Kamamolikolehua through which she stays connected to ʻāina and culture of Hawai‘i.
Kumagai, an East Honolulu resident, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine, and did graduate work at California State University, Fullerton, and Princeton University in New Jersey. He serves on the boards of Holllenbeck Palms and the Asian American Drug Abuse Program.
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About THG (Transform Hawai‘i Government)
Transform Hawai‘i Government (THG), a non-partisan, nonprofit organization singularly focused on monitoring and supporting the state’s government modernization efforts, was founded by the Omidyar Ohana and Technology Transformation Funds, which are administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
In 2011, THG provided over $8 million to support a baseline assessment of the state’s information technology systems, develop Hawaii’s first IT transformation plan, hire the state’s first full-time chief information officer, and partner on demonstration projects. Five years later, in 2016, THG became a stand-alone nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and today continues to advocate for a delivery-driven, responsive government that enables people, communities and businesses to thrive.
Over the past 15 years, THG has partnered with state government leaders, providing resources for state government to realize its fullest potential, helping state employees discover new talents, and supporting the adoption of transformational technology.
Media Contact:
Nathan Hokama
Strategic Communication Solutions
(808) 226-7470
nhokama@scsolutions-hi.com