Medb

The Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982 by a coalition of community, business, and elected leaders. The formation was prompted by a conference on Maui's economic future, where leaders determined that diversifying into the high-technology sector would strengthen an economy then reliant on agriculture and tourism.

Operating as a values-based economic development organization, MEDB's mission is to guide the responsible development of a strong, diversified, and sustainable economy for Maui County. Its work is structured around three core pillars: providing business assistance, developing the local workforce through education, and convening the community to foster collaboration. The organization's funding is a mix of local, state, and federal grants, supplemented by contributions from private businesses, foundations, and individuals. Over 90% of its budget is restricted to specific projects, with the remainder coming from donations and membership dues.

MEDB serves a broad range of clients, including new and established businesses, students from kindergarten through post-secondary levels, educators, and the wider community across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The board provides direct support to businesses in sectors like information technology, aerospace, renewable energy, healthcare, and agri-technology through consultations, technical conferences, and outreach. A significant achievement was the creation of the Maui Research and Technology Park and its incubator facility. For the community, MEDB facilitates crucial planning processes, such as the federally mandated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which provides a roadmap for regional economic development.

A cornerstone of MEDB's activity is its focus on workforce development, most notably through its STEMworks™ program. This initiative provides K-12 students and educators with access to technical training, place-based learning, mentorships, and internships to build a homegrown talent pipeline. A key component, the Women in Technology (WIT) project, was launched in 1999 to specifically encourage girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. These educational programs have reached over 53,000 students and educators statewide.

Jeanne Unemori Skog, who joined in 1984 and served as President and CEO from 1999, was instrumental in expanding MEDB's mission and launching key initiatives like the Focus Maui Nui community visioning process. In 2017, Leslie Wilkins, the current President and CEO, succeeded her. Wilkins joined MEDB in 1999 to spearhead the Women in Technology Project, bringing prior experience from Hawaii's commercial banking industry and nonprofit consulting.

Keywords: Maui economic development, Hawaii nonprofit, workforce development, STEM education, community development, business assistance, economic diversification, Maui County, rural economic development, technology sector growth, STEMworks, Women in Technology, nonprofit consulting, business grants, community planning, agricultural diversification, tourism economy, job creation programs, educational programs, sustainable economy