Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D)

Educational Background
•  Leilehua High School - Class of 1991
•  University of Oregon: BA in Journalism, BA in Communications Studies, 1995
•  Argosy University: Masters in Organization Leadership, 2015
•  University of Hawaii - Manoa: Currently working on Doctorate Degree in Architecture

Government Service

Current:

Hawaii State Senate (2010 to Present):
•  Chair, Committee on Ways and Means
•  Member, Committee on Education

Other:
•  Member, Transit Oriented Task Force
•  Member, State Land Use Task Force
•  Board Member, Hawaii Asia Pacific Association (HAPA) Young Leaders
•  Member, National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO)
•  Member, Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs (BHCC)
•  Member, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL)
•  Member, National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Effectiveness Standing Committee (NCSL)
•  Member, Urban Land Institute (ULI)
•  Member, Clean and Safe Energy Coalition

Past:

Honolulu City Council (2003-2010):
•  Chair, 2003-2007
•  Chair, Committee on Executive Matters
•  Chair, Committee on Public Safety & Services
•  Chair, Committee on Public Health, Safety & Welfare
•  Vice-Chair, Committee on Executive Matters
•  Vice-Chair, Committee on Affordable Housing & Economic Development
•  Vice-Chair, Committee on Transportation & Planning
•  Vice-Chair, Committee on Public Infrastructure

Other:
•  Co-Chair, Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs Annual Conference in Hawaii, 2013
•  State Commission on National and Community Service - 2010
•  Governor's Working Group on the Purchase of Turtle Bay - 2009
•  Board of Directors, National Association of Counties (NACo) - 2003-2009
•  NACo Annual Conference Advisory Committee - 2005
•  Chair, NACo 2005 Annual Conference and Exposition Steering Committee
•  Secretary, Hawaii State Association of Counties - 2003-2004
•  Chair, Wahiawa Neighborhood Board, 2000-2002

Nominations/Invitations:

•  American Council Professional Fellows Program to Armenia - 2018
•  Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (HCREO) - 2015
•  National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Gettysburg Leadership - 2015
•  American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Exchange Program to Australia - 2013
•  American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Educational Seminar in Israel - 2013
•  Young Elected Officials (YEO) 2013 National Convening, Washington, D. C.
•  Council of State Governments (CSG), Western Legislative Academy for Legislators - 2012
•  Emerging Leaders Program, University of Virginia - 2013
•  Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs Leadership Workshop, Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education - 2013

Community Service:

•  Member, Leilehua Alumni and Community Association
•  Member, Hawaii Bicycling League
•  Member, Advisory Council, Leeward Community College
•  Member, Leeward Community College Culinary Institute Board
•  Vice-President (2001-2002), Filipino Chamber of Commerce
•  Member, Wahiawa Lions Club
•  Member, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish

Honors and Awards:

•  HawaiiKidsCAN 2018 Legislative Champion - 2018
•  Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation Inaugural Champion of Agriculture Award - 2013
•  Filipino Community Council of Hawaii Progress Award for Excellence in Government Service, 2007
•  Pacific Century Fellow, 2004
•  Pacific Business News Forty and Under 40 Award, 2001
•  Public Relations Society of America Koa Anvil Award, 2001

Certifications:

•  U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Incident Command System (ICS-402) - 2013

Prior Professions:

•  Director of Marketing, Watermark Publishing
•  Account Supervisor, Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations
•  Account Executive, McNeil Wilson Communications
•  Public Relations Coordinator, Hilton Hawaiian Village
•  Member, DTL Hawaii

Creator/Author:

•  The Whitmore Project - a project to revitalize Central Oahu by re-establishing agricultural dominance in the area resulting in creation of jobs and promoting economic development.
•  Publications: The Okazu Guide, The Puka Guide, The Omiyage Guide - books focusing on such cultural activities as exploring Japanese delicatessens; "hole-in-the-wall" places that locals like to frequent; and places to buy gifts for those who engage in the local tradition of buying gifts when they travel.