Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has picked Margaret Willis to become the new director of the county Department of Human Concerns. Courtesy photo

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Margaret “Maggie” Willis as director of the county Department of Human Concerns. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Maui County Council.

According to the county, Willis was selected following a nationwide search that drew 21 applicants. She would replace longtime director Lori Tsuhako, who retired Dec. 31.

“Our community has been asking for more compassionate and effective ways to care for people facing hardship and houselessness,” Bissen said in a news release announcing Willis’ appointment.

“We searched nationwide for someone who could bring people together, strengthen our department and cut through bureaucracy to make things happen. Margaret Willis offers not only experience from large cities, but also genuine love and aloha for our residents and neighbors — especially those who need understanding, dignity and hope during this challenging time for Maui County.”

Bissen said Willis will bring a fresh perspective to build on the foundation established by the department over many years.

“Her leadership will help us strengthen what works, adapt where needed and better meet the needs of our residents with care and compassion,” he said.

The mayor’s administration said the recent Eco Northwest report, “Recommendations to Address Homelessness in Maui County,” helped guide the selection process, and Willis comes with more than two decades of experience in public and private social services management.

The report includes recommendations on coordination and collaboration, crisis response, stabilization, prevention and resilience, as well as targeted efforts for Lanai and Molokai and for West Maui fire survivors.

Her work has included grants management, policy and program design and implementation, and programs addressing homelessness and homelessness prevention for vulnerable populations.

“For more than 23 years, I have been designing and implementing innovative programs to help people who are unhoused, seniors and people with disabilities to secure and maintain stable housing, have access to food, health care and behavioral health treatment and improve their quality of life,” Willis said. “I value collaboration, coordination and compassion in how we meet the needs of a community.

“As a Japanese American visiting Hawaii, I always appreciated the unique Nisei culture that is distinct from the mainland,” she added. “I am humbled and honored to be selected to lead the County of Maui Department of Human Concerns. I look forward to the opportunity to gather manao from stakeholders and community partners to build upon the system of care that the department has carefully crafted over the years.”

Willis has led the development and implementation of homeless services, housing and diversion programs in Los Angeles County, Santa Monica, Glendale and San Diego.

Her work has included helping design a point-of-arrest diversion program with the Los Angeles city attorney and Los Angeles Police Department, overseeing shelter and transitional housing acquisitions, developing partnerships for a mixed-use housing and health services facility, and directing initiatives such as annual homeless counts, street outreach teams and a COVID-era emergency rental assistance program.

Willis currently serves as director of Los Angeles County’s Benefits Entitlement Services Team, where she manages more than 100 staff members who assist more than 5,000 homeless and at-risk disabled individuals in securing stable income through SSI, SSDI and related programs.

She received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Texas at Austin.