Higa brings more than 15 years of leadership in human resources, with expertise in workforce development, strategic planning and employee engagement. She currently serves as the human resources director for the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi and has previously held executive human resources roles at Hawaiian Telcom. Higa holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral science with a minor in business administration from Concordia University, Irvine. A member of Hawaiʻi State FCU for four years, Higa is passionate about advancing financial wellness and member-focused innovation.