About this speaker
Meli James is the co-founder of Mana Up, a Hawaii-based business accelerator program, venture fund and retail initiative designed to diversify the local economy and build the state’s next generation of consumer brands. She is also the president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association. Born and raised in Honolulu, Meli lived in Silicon Valley for more than 10 years where she co-founded numerous startups. Meli has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of five Women to Watch and as one of eight Women Leaders Who Are Disrupting Entrepreneurship. She serves on the board of UHA Health Insurance, board of regents for Chaminade University and is a 2020 Omidyar Fellow. Meli is a graduate of Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
