Mara Pavich Garcia Mara Pavich Garcia brings over 20 years of professional experience as the Director, Community Engagement and Wellness, for Liliʻuokalani Center.She’s a visionary strategist who incorporates social-emotional development, educational advancements, and cultural foundations into programs for youth.Before joining the Trust, Mara served as the Director of Wellness and Professional Programs at St. Andrew’s Schools in Honolulu, where she collaborated with families, faculty, and students to develop a school-wide wellness program.Additionally, she was a member of the YWCA’s prestigious Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance (PMLA Cohort 7), a select group of women executives committed to community, professionalism, and personal growth.Born and raised in Kaimukī on Oʻahu, she returned home to Hawaiʻi in 2020 after nearly two decades of residing on the West Coast, where she worked at the Spokane Crisis Residential Center, YMCA of Greater Seattle, the Evergreen School in Seattle, and Viewpoint School and Geffen Academy at UCLA, both in Southern California.She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in Gender Studies from the University of Redlands. Mara is a graduate of Punahou School.Mara’s professional strengths align with her passion for serving the community. She is a Member of the Board of Directors for the Domestic Violence Action Center; holds a certification in yoga instruction from the Yoga Alliance; has received training from the International Institute for Restorative Practices; is a Trainer for Positive Discipline and One Circle Foundation; and consults with Shani Alliance, Co-Method, and Nalukai Academy.In each community partnership, Mara aims to promote resiliency and build capacity for self-advocacy and healthy relationships in youth. In her leisure time, Mara enjoys beach walks, hikes, yoga, and hosting family gatherings in her backyard. She and her partner, Javier, are raising two sons in Kailua and often can be found on the baseball field or basketball courts, cheering on their teams.