Founding Executive Team
Marion Ano
Executive Director
Marion Ano is the owner and freelance developer for Wahine Coder. She has over a decade of experience as a mobile and website developer for Hawaiʻi based clients. Additionally, she specializes in information architecture including organizational and business strategies around the implementation and integration of technologies. Besides working for her amazing clients, Marion teaches coding and visual design for mobile applications at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu for the Academy of Creative Media. When she’s not teaching, she’s writing children’s books with her son for her company, Kilo Books Hawaiʻi.
Founding Board Members & Advisory Committee
Margary Martin, Ph.D.
Board President
Margary Martin, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. She is also the executive director of Ka Pouhana Center at UH Hilo. With over 25 years of experience working in education, she began her career as a middle and high school teacher before pursuing her PhD. With an eye towards equity in action, her research and service focuses on how policies and practices in education impede or facilitate the healthy social and emotional development and wellbeing of children and youth. She partners with community groups, nonprofits, and schools to develop participatory, place-based initiatives to create culturally affirming learning environments that allow students to thrive.
Amanda Merritt
Board Treasurer
Amanda Merritt is the owner, graphic designer and illustrator for Aline Design. She focuses on creating engaging and accurate illustrations for ocean science, education, and conservation. With a background in science communication, she works collaboratively with scientists and educators to develop effective visuals that enhance scientific research and support natural resource conservation. As she draws feathers on birds and fins on fish, she is grateful to be on the Hawaiʻi Island where she can catch a glimpse of native birds on a mountain trail and bright reef fish along the coast. When she’s not aligning designs, you will find her underwater looking for manta rays, hiking the hills, bookworming, or eating nachos.
Christina Silva-Wierschem
Board Secretary
Christina Silva-Wierschem is a freelance photographer and owner and baker of +ALA (Add a Little Aloha Bakehouse). She lives in Honolulu with her 3 active and beautiful boys and her husband. She also co-owns, Think Big Kids an online science boutique with her sons. Together with her sons, Christina shares her passion for the microscopic world with her sons creating beautifully printed micrograph prints.
Jennifer Kanani Ano
Advisor
Jennifer Ano was born in Honolulu. She lived and worked in the Pacific Northwest for over 35 years, however Hawaiʻi will always be home. After graduation from Punahou School, she moved to Oregon and earned a B.A. in International Studies and B.A. in English from Portland State University. She works at Nike and she has held various roles including supporting Global Footwear, Product Operations, and Diversity Equity & Inclusion for the Office of General Counsel (Legal). At Nike she also leads two employee resource groups serving women and Pacific Islanders. Outside of her professional work, she serves on the Board of Ka ʻAha Lāhui ʻO Olekona Hawaiian Civic Club on which she brings her professional experience and advocacy for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders to support communities through civic engagement. Her goals are to bring her mana’o from her corporate experience and non-profit advocacy for the diaspora in the Pacific Northwest to Wahine Freelance Alliance.