University of Hawai‘i Foundation
Allison Ohanian has extensive work experience in the field of planned giving and donor development. Allison currently holds the position of Associate Vice President of Gift Planning & Donor Development at the University of Hawai'i Foundation. Prior to this, they served as the Senior Executive Director of Estate and Gift Planning at the same institution. Allison also served as the Senior Director, Director, and Associate Director of Planned Giving & Estates at San Diego State University. Additionally, Allison worked as a Planned Giving Specialist at California State University, Long Beach, and held various roles in the field of marketing and sales at Lakeshore Learning Materials and Advanced Marketing Services. In addition to their professional experience, they are also a board member of the San Diego Planned Giving Partnership.
Allison Ohanian has an extensive education history. In 1996, they obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of San Diego. In 1999, they briefly studied abroad at RMIT University, focusing on Sociology. Allison continued their education by earning a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Chapman University in 2001. In 2006, Ohanian pursued a Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning from California State University, Long Beach. Allison further expanded their knowledge in philanthropy by becoming a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving at the American Institute of Philanthropic Studies in 2013. Their education journey culminated with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from California State University, Long Beach, which they completed in 2016. As a lifelong learner, Ohanian has recently participated in the Nonprofit Management Development Program at the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of San Diego, where they earned a certificate in 2020.
University of Hawai‘i Foundation
The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation was established in 1955 to encourage private support for the University of Hawaiʻi. Today, it is the central fundraising organization for the UH System providing a range of professional fundraising services to all 10 UH campuses, in addition to managing more than 3,400 gift accounts for the benefit of the university and its students. The UH Foundation is a private, institutionally related corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a legally separate entity from the University of Hawaiʻi, the UH Alumni Association, and all other UH affiliates. However, the Foundation works closely with these organizations as well as with others in the community exclusively for the benefit of the university.