Dr. Sheri Daniels has been leading Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian Health Board since 2016 as the Chief Executive Officer. Papa Ola Lōkahi (POL) is the organization charged by the United States Congress with administrative oversight of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act [Public Law 102-396]. In this role, she leads efforts to improve the overall health and well-being of Native Hawaiians and their families, through strategic partnerships, programs, and public policy.

Dr. Daniels was born, raised, and currently resides in Maui. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, Dr. Daniels received her bachelor’s in family resources from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She carries a master’s in counseling psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu, in addition to a doctorate from Argosy University, and currently holds several license certifications. She has close to three (3) decades of experience in social service programs along with years of supervisory experience, including both government and non-profit management. It is through these capacities that Dr. Daniels has worked closely with Hawai‘i’s unique and diverse population to overcome inequities.

Dr. Daniels applies the values of Aloha, Hōʻihi, Laulima, Mālama, Hoʻomanawanui, Lokomaikaʻi, and Pono every day in how she engages with her ʻohana, colleagues, and within multiple communities across the State of Hawaii and the continent. She is actively involved in various community and civic organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. Beginning in early 2020, Sheri shared co-leadership for the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Hawaii COVID-19 Response, Recovery & Resilience Team (NHPI 3R), for which Papa Ola Lōkahi served as the backbone organization. Committed to meeting the needs of our community through public policy and strategic partnerships, she was named among the Pacific Business News’ 2022 Women Who Mean Business. Dr. Daniels has secured increased funding for Native Hawaiian Health – over $28 million and growing – through her collaborations and engagement with federal partners and our Hawai’i congressional delegation.

She understands the value of ʻohana and community especially related to resiliency in how we work to strengthen our lāhui moving forward. Both her education and professional experiences along with her knowledge in understanding of the needs of underrepresented communities are assets that she brings to be inclusive of people, beliefs, and cultural mindfulness. She uses her experiences and expertise in areas such as board governance and how it will be utilized to create opportunities to empower all communities. Along with numerous awards and being recognized for her hard work and efforts, she continues to work tirelessly to support the various Native Hawaiian communities throughout the state and on the continent. Being Native Hawaiian provides her an opportunity to understand first-hand what that means and entails in dealing with these communities.

She believes to create thriving communities, we need to engage with communities in understanding how to best serve, engage and represent.