OUR BOARD
Mana Academy's Board of Directors are a volunteer board of professionals from a wide variety of fields whose charge is to ensure the school is executing its charter with full fidelity.
Please check the Mana Academy calendar for schedule board meetings. You can also view meeting information the state Public Meeting Notice website. Submit all inquiry or requests to be put on the agenda at least 48 hours in advance to board@themanaacademy.org.
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Board of Directors
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Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan - Board Chair/President
Frankie Santos Laanan is Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Affairs and Professor of Education, Culture & Society and Educational Leadership & Policy in the College of Education at the University of Utah. Born and raised on the island of Guåhan (Guam), he is a first-generation college student. He earned his B.A. in Political Science, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in HigherEducation and Organizational Change all from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). His research
focuses on college access and success of minoritized students and the impact of college on individuals and society. His publications address topics including pathways to STEM degrees for women and underrepresented students, community college transfer and adjustment process, and economic benefits of a career and technical education.
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Dr. Kehaulani Vaughn - Vice Chair/Vice President
KÄ“haulani Vaughn is an assistant professor in the Pacific Island Studies Initiative and Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on Pacific Island Studies, Comparative Indigenous Studies and Higher Education. She received her doctorate from the University of California at Riverside. Her educational background also includes graduate degrees
from UCLA in Higher Education and Asian American Studies and a concentration in American Indian Studies. Her current research explores Pacific Island Studies, Indigenous epistemologies, Indigenous education, and decolonial practices and pedagogies. She has taught numerous college courses including: Pacific Islander Education, Decolonial Education, Race and Ethnicity in the United States, Indigeneity in Hawai’i, Community Studies, Community Health, Native American Studies and
Research Methodology.
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Dr. Lyndsey Aiono-Conradi, Secretary
Lyndsey Aiono-Conradi is an assistant professor of Special Education at the University of Utah. Raised in Salt Lake City, she began her career as a special education teacher in Rose Park, working with students requiring extensive support. Her passion for special education led her to the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where she collaborated with communities and schools across the
Hawaiian islands, broadening her perspective on diverse educational needs and cultural contexts. Dr. Aiono-Conradi's research focuses on creating and sustaining inclusive education for all students, developing practices that reflect students' cultural values, fostering belonging, and supporting overall well-being in educational settings. Her current work involves innovative research on integrating indigenous practices into behavioral support systems, aiming to enhance both student outcomes and teacher well-being. With her blend of practical teaching experience
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Leilani Pimentel, Treasurer
Leilani Pimentel is a nonprofit development and education policy professional with extensive experience in philanthropy, government relations, and strategic communications. She currently serves as Director of Development at The City Fund, where she supports fundraising and partnerships that advance innovative public education initiatives. She previously held leadership
roles in development at APIA Scholars and earlier worked in communications and legislative roles in the United States House of Representatives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University.​
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Dr. Nia Aitaoto - Board Member
Nia Aitaoto, PhD, MPH, MS is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Health’s Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Medicine’s Health Systems Innovation and Research Division. She is a principal investigator of several research studies in Hawaii and the Pacific. She has over 20 years of experience in the health and education field with a focus on cancer, diabetes, cultural competency, physical activity, nutrition, medication adherence and tobacco related initiatives. Dr. Aitaoto specializes in providing technical assistance, data assessment and evaluation support to ministries of health and community groups in Hawaii, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
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Dr. Inoke Hafoka - Board Member
‘Inoke Hafoka is an Assistant Professor for Pacific Studies at BYU-Hawai‘i. Hafoka was born and raised in Glendale (Salt Lake City) and has focused much of his work on the experiences with the Pacific Islander population in diaspora, especially the Tongan diaspora in the US. Hafoka received his PhD in Education from UCLA. He earned a MEd in Education, Culture & Society from the
University of Utah, and a BS in Sociology from BYU-Provo where he played football (one year) and rugby (two years). Hafoka’s parents are both from Tonga - Faleloa and ‘Uiha, Ha‘apai. He is married to Tali Alisa Hafoka and together they are raising their four children.
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Dr. Ulysses Sione Tonga’onevai
Dr. Ulysses Sione Tonga’onevai brings extensive experience in higher education to the Mana Academy Board of Directors. He has supported students at both community college and research university in academic success, career exploration, and translating athletic experiences into lifelong professional skills. His work includes college access, retention, graduation, career readiness, and supporting youth reentering education after time in detention services. He has also taught ethnic, gender, and sport studies, coached competitive youth sports, and partnered with nonprofit organizations advancing college pathway initiatives. Ulysses earned his Ph.D. in Education, Culture, and Society from the University of Utah, where his research explored how Pacific Islanders use athletics for social mobility, cultural preservation, and identity formation towards academic and life success.”
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Audit Committee
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The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of the board president and a board member. Our business manager and director serve as advisors to the audit committee. All budgets are reviewed regularly and approved by the Board of Directors and are published on the Utah Public Finance Website. Audit Committee members are:
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Kehaulani Vaughn
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Frankie Santos Laanan
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Fraud Hotline
Stakeholders may report concerns of fraud, waste, abuse, or non-compliance directly to the board by emailing board@themanaacademy.org.
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Alternatively, stakeholders may report such concerns directly to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) through the Public Education Hotline at (801) 538-7813 and full information is available on the Internal Audit website.
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Board Links
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