Vanessa Carlson

President

Born and raised in Hilo, Vanessa is a graduate of Waiakea High School, UH-Hilo where she earned her BA in communication, and Walden University where she earned her MS in nonprofit management and leadership.

Vanessa enjoys volunteering in her community and is active with the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce where she serves as a director and the chair of the social committee. Another project she supports is the Walk With a Doc Hilo program which happens every Sunday morning at 8am with Dr. Craig Kadooka.

She is married to radio personality Darrin “DC“ Carlson and together they have two adult children Devin (Regina) and Noe (Jordan) and three grandsons (Zhycen, Zhyler, and Quinton). When she’s not volunteering, Vanessa spends time dreaming up new ways to save the world...or reading a really good book. 

Catherine Kamau

Vice President

Catherine is the Senior Marketing Specialist at HPM Building Supply. She has been involved with New Hope Hawai‘i: Celebrate Recovery, Prison and Hula Ministries, Camp Agape Big Island, Camp Agape O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island Food Basket’s Hootenanny and ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu ‘Ekolu. “Hope,” said Catherine, is what inspired her to be on the BISAC Board of Directors. “Hope that my small part can help a hurting broken person become a healed contributor in our community.”

Catherine is an avid reader and a writer with strong commitment to engaging others in the possibility of a different tomorrow and assisting others in succeeding.

Sharri Thornton

Secretary

Dave DeLuz

Treasurer

Lissandra Baldan-Jenkins

Board Member

I have been the Faculty leader teaching Anatomy & Physiology at Hawai’i Community College, at Manono Campus, for five years now. I serve more than 100 students each semester. Most of my students are working towards a Health & Nursing career. In my position, I developed several learning materials, including lab manuals and I am a co-author in the new Anatomy and Physiology Textbook that was adopted by the University of Hawai’i System (UH System). This is an Open Education Resource that will save students more than $400K.  I love serving my community in the Big Island. Amongst other activities, I currently serve as a Co-Chair for the UHCC Systemwide Online Education Committee and the Secretary for the Executive Committee and for the Academic Senate. Previous to my position here, I was teaching Biology courses, including Neuroscience and Advanced Physiology in different colleges in Colorado. Although, I loved the mountains, Colorado was too cold for me!

Prior to my teaching career, I was working as a neuroscientist researcher at Indiana University and at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. In these positions, I studied neuropsychiatric disorders and published several scientific articles. In my last postdoctoral position at Yale University, I characterized a new animal model for the study of Tourette’s Syndrome. This was my most significant work and resulted in a high-impact publication in the scientific journal “Neuron”.

I am originally from Brazil. I got my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Clinical Psychology. I got my Master’s degree in Biological Sciences and my Ph.D. degree in Medical Sciences at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

I love the Nature around us, and enjoy playing in the waves in our wonderful Ocean!

David Bishaw

Board Member

David Bishaw has been on the BISAC Board of Directors for one year. David is a Plant and Soil Scientist working for the U.S. Geological Survey as a contractor through RCUH-HCSU. His deep understanding of how drugs and alcohol can impact the lives of individuals and families helps to guide BISAC in a direction that always aims to serve the needs of the community.

“I’m honored to be a part of BISAC’s decision making process, and to assure organizational success through client success in battling addictions and behaviors associated with drugs or other related substance abuse.”

Ross Wilson

Board Member

Ross Wilson Jr. grew up in Hilo and graduated from Hilo High School and the University of Hawaii Manoa with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Travel Industry Management. He has lived the majority of his adult life in West Hawaii and is the President of Current Events, A Strategic Communication Agency. 

Ross serves as the West Hawaii Field Representative for U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a post he also held under the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka. In addition, Ross also serves as the Executive Director for the Kailua Village Business Improvement District. 

He's the Chair for the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee, Chair for Home Corporation, and Co-chair for Ahu’ena Heiau, Inc.. 

He’s a member of the Board of Directors for Kona Community Hospital, CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Friends of Hakalau National Wildlife Reserve, Hawaii Island Community Development Corp., Hawaii Community Builders, Donkey Mill Art Center and the Big Island Press Club. Ross serves as a member of Hawaii Community College Chancellor’s Advisory Council and as a member of the Pohakuloa Training Area Advisory Council.

He is the past recipient of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year Award, University of Hawaii at Hilo Distinguished Alumni Award and Hawaii Community College’s Mahalo Award.