Maui Food Bank names Maui native as chief operating officer
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Maui Food Bank has named Maui native Kaleena Wakamatsu Fryer its chief operating officer.
Fryer brings more than 16 years of retail and operations leadership experience to the nonprofit. In her new role, she will oversee food strategy across sourcing, operations, programs and agency relations, helping connect food donors and local growers with partner agencies serving Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
"Kaleena brings a strong combination of operational expertise, leadership and a deep personal connection to Maui," Maui Food Bank CEO Brandi Saragosa said in a news release. "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. She opened two stores and helped guide her teams through the response and recovery following the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, according to Maui Food Bank.
Her career also includes leadership positions with Ulta Beauty, Hallmark and Apple Inc., as well as managing multistate districts across Alaska, Hawaii and California.
For Fryer, who grew up at her family's business, Wakamatsu Fish Market in Wailuku, returning her professional focus to serving the community 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."
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.