Board of Trustees Changes at The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i and Palmyra

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new individuals, Katherine Richardson and David Lassner, to our Hawai‘i and Palmyra Board of Trustees. 

TNC also wants to thank Anne Carter as she transitions from her role as board chair. Anne has been involved with TNC for over 30 years, supporting TNC's global work by attending Volunteer Leadership Summits and trustee councils, engaging donors at the local level, and supporting Maui staff and programs. Anne will continue to serve on the board as co-chair of the Conservation Committee. We are pleased to welcome Brett MacNaughton as our incoming board chair, whose leadership since 2019 on the Conservation Committee and stewardship of the Corporate Council for the Environment positions him to guide us forward with strength and vision.

Katherine Richardson, a lifelong Kaua‘i resident and dedicated community leader, brings decades of experience in nonprofit governance and philanthropy. She currently serves on the boards of Wilcox Health and Island School and has been a board member of the National Tropical Botanical Garden for over 20 years. Her previous roles include service on the Hawai‘i Community Foundation Board of Governors and professional experience in real estate, healthcare and grant writing. 

Richardson, the granddaughter of Kaua‘i Museum founder Juliet Rice Wichman, shared: “TNC’s work has intrigued and inspired me for many years, beginning with exposure to the work being done to protect the Kaua‘i watershed. As an avid hiker, I’ve been privileged to see firsthand TNC’s conservation projects in Hawai‘i. Preservation of the flora and fauna of the islands of the Pacific is critical work being done by TNC.”

David Lassner, President Emeritus of the University of Hawai‘i (UH), brings a legacy of leadership in education, technology, and research. Lassner retired in 2024 after more than 11 years as UH President and over four decades of service to the university. He continues to contribute to initiatives including the Maui High Performance Computing Center, the Pacific Disaster Center, and international high-speed research and education networks across the Asia-Pacific region.  

Reflecting on his connection to TNC, Lassner said: “I was fortunate to co-lead our first service project with The Nature Conservancy in Hawaiʻi, where I had the chance to experience the incredible Kamakou Preserve when it was first established. Now, decades later, I feel honored to have the opportunity to contribute to environmental stewardship in a new way, through service on the TNC Hawaiʻi & Palmyra Board of Trustees.”

In other changes to our Board, we want to extend deep appreciation to Tana Burkert for her outstanding service and leadership since 2016. Over the past nine years, Tana has served as a dedicated Global Ambassador and Legacy Ambassador, as well as participating in Volunteer Leadership Summits and Advocacy Days. We also extend heartfelt thanks to Sean Hehir, who championed formal and informal gatherings that helped strengthen pilina among staff, trustees and community members. 

“We are grateful to Anne, Brett, Tana and Sean for their leadership and welcome Katherine and David to our Board of Trustees. Our board’s diverse expertise, as well as their excitement about conservation, is invaluable to our work. Their contributions have a lasting impact and we are grateful for their efforts,” says Ulalia Woodside Lee, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i and Palmyra.