UH Cancer Center hires new associate director

The UH Cancer Center has named Lynn Heirakuji, DSW, as its new Associate Director of Administration.  Heirakuji's hiring comes shortly after the Center received a five-year extension of its National Cancer Institute designation and is preparing to open a new facility in early 2013.

 

“We are very happy to welcome Lynn to our Cancer Center family,” said UH Cancer Center Director Michele Carbone, MD, PhD. “I am confident she has the skills and abilities to keep our Center moving forward and help us become an even more prominent leader of cancer research in Hawai`i as well as the Pacific Rim.”

 

Said Heirakuji, "I would like to thank Dr. Carbone and the search committee for entrusting me with the responsibility to help lead the Cancer Center during this exciting and historic time.  I am looking forward to working with our researchers, administrators, and consortium members to keep the Center at the forefront of cancer research, not only here in Hawai`i but around the globe.”
 

Heirakuji recently served as the Director of the Fair Share Initiative program, which was established last year by Governor Abercrombie to maximize federal funds in the State of Hawai`i. Her overarching strategies of promoting collaboration and building capacity helped the Fair Share Initiative program function as a key source of support in the State’s pursuit and management of federal funding.

 

Prior to leading the Fair Share Initiative, Heirakuji gained invaluable leadership experience while working in Washington, D.C. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Personnel Oversight, providing senior civilian oversight to a wide range of manpower programs. She was also the Deputy Director in the Office of Human Capital Management with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has held other senior staff and leadership positions with various other federal agencies that included the Departments of Homeland Security; Housing and Urban Development; and Commerce. 

Heirakuji received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UH, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver, and a Doctorate in Social Work from Howard University.