Meli James is a cofounder at Mana Up, an initiative to expand economic opportunity, business infrastructure, and higher wage jobs in Hawai’i. Its six-month accelerator program enables Hawaiʻi product entrepreneurs to scale their businesses globally. Mana Up operates a retail business, House of Mana Up, to connect people to local brands.
Additionally, she is president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, an organization that seeks to foster entrepreneurial development through education, networking, and access to capital.
Previously, James brought her Silicon Valley startup experience to Hawaii accelerators Blue Startups and the University of Hawaii’s Venture Accelerator.
In 2007, James founded her first company, Nirvino a #1 ranked wine app, an Apple Platform Top 100 App, and Top Ten Lifestyles App.
James is a founding member of the Startup Paradise initiative helping to build a thriving startup community that nurtures collaboration and innovation in Hawaii. She is committed to establishing resources to grow talent and high-growth ideas.
In 2016, she was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of five Women to Watch. In 2017, she was recognized again by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of eight Women Leaders Who Are Disrupting Entrepreneurship.
James is a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
James has a very close connection to lung disease. “My grandmother passed away when she was in her late forties from lung cancer” James states. “I am passionate about raising funds for the American Lung Association in Hawaii as they are uniquely positioned to address the needs we’re facing today to defeat COVID-19 and responsibly plan for future preparedness for respiratory virus epidemics.”
=====
The I WEAR TURQUOISE campaign is seeking community leaders to help raise awareness and research funding to defeat lung defeat COVID-19 once and for all. As an I WEAR TURQUOISE candidate, leaders commit to:
I Wear Turquoise Ambassadors commit to:
- Sporting our LUNG FORCE pin during the month of June
- Raising lung health and air quality awareness through their networks
- Commit to a fundraising goal of $2,500 to support the American Lung Association research, programs, and services
- Consider being a media spokesperson for IWT
For questions about participating, donating or sponsoring, please contact:
Pedro Haro
pedro.haro@lung.org
808-537-5966.
