Former TV news anchor Kim Gennaula is leaving her post as head of Aloha United Way after three years to take a job as a fundraiser for ‘Iolani School.
Gennaula, 49, who has nearly seven years of experience in philanthropy, will join ‘Iolani as executive director of advancement in late August.
Her son Luke, 11, is a sixth-grade student at ‘Iolani, and daughter Alia, 10, will start in the sixth grade this fall.
"All the major moves I made — getting out of news and now this one — have been based on family. The opportunity to be on campus with my kids by the time they’re 11 until they’re teenagers is really exciting to me," she said. "‘Iolani’s also working on some neat projects coming up that are going to be outward-facing to help the community. It’s really an honor to work at ‘Iolani because it has got such a long and incredible legacy."
At ‘Iolani, Gennaula will provide strategic direction for fundraising, alumni and parent relations, and campaign and community stewardship, and will serve as principal advisor to Head of School Timothy Cottrell, according to a statement.
"Kim’s extensive background in creating a culture of philanthropy will be a tremendous asset to ‘Iolani School as we build upon our efforts to educate students from diverse backgrounds and attract faculty and staff with a wealth of knowledge and experience from around the world," Cottrell said in the statement.
Gennaula’s transition from television news began in 2008, when she left Hawaii News Now for a position as director of philanthropy for Kapiolani Health Foundation. Prior to that she was news anchor at KGMB-TV from 1993 to 2008 and served as a volunteer on the state Board of Education for two years.
She is credited with leading a turnaround and renewed success as president and chief executive officer of Aloha United Way, which raised $11 million for nearly 300 Hawaii nonprofits last year.
"It’s a great honor to have this opportunity to be a part of ‘Iolani and all of the great things the school is doing not only for its students, but for the community around the school," she said.
"It is hard to leave Aloha United Way, but I do so now knowing the agency is solid, stable and will continue to thrive."
The nonprofit charitable organization will launch an extensive search over the next several months for a replacement for Gennaula, who will remain at Aloha United Way until a replacement is selected.
