Western Governors’ Association Policy Forum

Michele at the Western Governorsʻ Association Policy Forum at the Westin Maui on Monday April 21, 2026. Panel discussion was on trauma-informed approaches to disaster recovery, with a focus on lessons and ongoing needs following the 2023 Maui wildfires.  Speakers discussed how recovery programs, public services, and community engagement efforts can be structured to account for the behavioral, social, and cultural effects of large-scale disasters.  Panel discussion also highlighted practical considerations for agencies and partners working with affected communities, including approaches that support effective disaster assistance delivery and improve recovery.

Pictured back row left to right:

• Alika Maunakea, Professor, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa
• Michele Navarro Ishiki, Founder and Executive Director, Piha Wellness and Healing
• Carolyn Ingram, SVP, Policy and Government Affairs and New Mexico Board Chair, Molina Healthcare
• Tison Thomas, Acting Director, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

Front Row: 

• Lauren Cloward, Senior Policy Advisor, Western Govenersʻ Association
• Tia Hartsock, Director, Hawaiʻi Office of Wellness and Resilience (panelist and facilitator)