About Maka Gibson
Former Program Officer

Maka worked as a Program Officer for five years at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington before returning to home to Hawaii in 2023. She worked closely with nonprofits in Cowlitz County, building authentic relationships and empowering communities to thrive and be successful. She is deeply passionate about equity work and closing the opportunity gap, and she is inspired by the resilience of children and families to persevere in the face of adversity and trauma.
Maka was born and raised in Hawaii and is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Willamette University. Prior to joining the Foundation, Maka worked at both The Oregon Community Foundation as a program associate for scholarships and grants, and Willamette Academy in Salem, Oregon as an academic mentor and program administrator.