Mike "Keawe" Anderson

Michael "Keawe" Anderson is a strategic leader, federal policy advocate, and servant-leader with more than five decades of experience spanning military service, government affairs, federal contracting, nonprofit leadership, and Indigenous economic development.

 

Throughout his career, Keawe has helped organizations strengthen governance, build high-performing cultures, and advance mission-driven outcomes. For nearly 30 years, he worked with Congress and federal agencies to shape policies and legislation that expand economic opportunities for Indigenous communities across the United States.

 

A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Keawe served in worldwide command, acquisition, logistics, legislative liaison, and operational aviation assignments. Following military retirement, he served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Don Young of Alaska, where he continued to advance public policy and strengthen relationships between government, business, and community stakeholders.

 

Keawe went on to hold executive and senior leadership roles in Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-owned organizations. He is the founder of both the Lauola Pono Foundation and the Aloha Community Fund which advance economic development strategies and sponsor community empowerment initiatives that benefit Native Hawaiian communities.

 

Born and raised on Maui, Keawe is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and has master’s degrees in business administration, strategic leadership, and federal contracting.

 

At the heart of Keawe’s work is a deep commitment to the economic advancement and well-being of Native Hawaiian communities. Guided by the Hawaiian value of kuleana (responsibility and stewardship), he brings decades of leadership, strategic insight, and trusted relationships to create opportunities that strengthen communities, foster self-determination, and expand pathways for future generations.