About

Director

Lori has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry serving in various capacities including district manager overseeing several branches, a business and consumer banking team, and operations. She served for 6+ years as a Senior Business Advisor with the Hawaiʻi SBDC and assisted numerous Hawaii businesses in various stages of their business life-cycle including start-ups, expansions, exports, manufacturing, agriculture, selling/buying businesses, and assisting them with access to capital for their business needs. Besides her business banking and lending background, she is knowledgeable of the various SBA financing programs, and is experienced in the financing of commercial PV and PPA systems. She holds a BBA from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, is a honors graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington, certified U.S. Export advisor, certified HiSBDC business advisor and active volunteer in the community.

Business Advisor

Andra has served at the Hawaiʻi SBDC, Oahu Center for over 13 years. Prior to her time in economic development, she has dedicated 18 years as an educator in the Education Department at Bishop Museum in Honolulu. She brings a cultural perspective and over 30 years of customer service to the program. She graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. As a member of a military family, Andra has lived in Fort Lewis, Washington, Stuttgart, Germany, Montpellier, France but home is here in Hawaiʻi.

Boots to Business Instructor

Jane Ray is a Certified Business Advisor with Growth Wheel and Certified Facilitator for the Profit Mastery program. Jane helps aspired small business entrepreneurs in their entrepreneurial journey and eventually transitioning to successful entrepreneurs. She is also an entrepreneur herself, owner of “Strategix 360 Consulting and Training” focus on providing insightful trainings in the area of lending, business & personal finance.

Prior to small business coaching, Jane spent over 12 years as a loan manager and loan officer in different areas at a number of financial institutions. She was awarded small business banker of the year and lender of the year with U.S. SBA Guam branch office from her contribution in assisting small businesses community. Jane hold a BBA in Finance and Economics from University of Guam and Master degree in Accounting and Financial Management from University of Maryland University College.

Business Consultant

Dennis Wong is a seasoned banking executive and business consultant with nearly five decades of professional experience. He spent 41 years in the banking industry, specializing in business, mortgage, and consumer lending, as well as banking operations, credit administration, and training.

For the past 7 years, Dennis has served as a Senior Business Consultant with the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center, where he helps entrepreneurs and business owners strengthen their financial foundations, access capital, and achieve sustainable growth.

A graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington and the Advanced Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma, Dennis is highly regarded for his expertise in financial analysis, loan structuring, and credit administration.

Active in Hawaiʻi’s business community, he was appointed by Governor Ige to the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority Board, where he contributes his financial and leadership expertise to statewide initiatives.