Caroline Julian-Freitas Named Ulupono Initiative’s Director of Communications and Community

Jul 28, 2022

Ulupono Initiative welcomes Caroline Julian-Freitas as the Hawaii-focused impact investing firm’s director of communications and community, effective July 19, 2022. Julian-Freitas is responsible for managing all communications campaigns and programs in support of Ulupono’s mission to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawai‘i by working toward sustainable solutions that support and promote locally produced food, renewable energy, clean transportation, and better management of freshwater resources. 

Julian-Freitas is stepping into the former role of Keith DeMello, who was recently promoted to senior vice president of communications and external affairs. In DeMello’s new position, he oversees Ulupono’s communications and policy teams.

“Ulupono Initiative is greatly strengthened by Caroline’s breadth of experience, ranging from TV news to government communications across legislative and executive branches,” said Murray Clay, president of Ulupono Initiative. “We are pleased to welcome an individual who so strongly complements our team while also sharing our commitment to a more self-sufficient and resilient Hawai‘i.”

Julian-Freitas joins Ulupono Initiative after serving more than a decade in various positions in the government sector ranging from communications director for the State of Hawaii’s Office of the Lt. Governor to Hawaii State Senate communications director and senior communications manager at the State Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Before entering state government service, Julian-Freitas worked as a broadcast journalist at television news stations in Hawai‘i and ABC News Network. A University of Hawaii School of Journalism alumnus, she lives in Honolulu with her husband and two children.   

DeMello has worked for Ulupono Initiative since August 2019 and brings more than two decades of experience in public relations and communications across various sectors, including more than 13 years at Anthology Marketing Group (most recently as vice president of public and government affairs) as well as deputy communications director for Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Also a University of Hawai‘i School of Journalism alumnus, he was recently appointed to the State of Hawaii Workforce Development Council, is a past-president of the Hawaii chapters of the Public Relations Society of America and the American Marketing Association, and currently serves on the boards of American Advertising Federation Hawaii Chapter and the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. He resides in Makiki in Honolulu.”

About Ulupono Initiative

A mission-driven venture of The Omidyar Group, Ulupono Initiative was founded in 2009 and strives to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawaii by working toward sustainable solutions that support and promote locally produced food, renewable energy, clean transportation, and better management of freshwater resources. For more information about Ulupono Initiative, visit ulupono.com or connect with Ulupono on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.