HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The TRUE Initiative, a public-private partnership dedicated to driving technology adoption in Hawaiʻi, is welcoming two new leaders to help steer its mission forward: Rick Hopfer as the new chair and Nicole Cacal as the new executive director. Their appointments mark a new chapter for TRUE, one that aims to diversify Hawaiʻi's economy, create high-value tech jobs and empower local organizations to thrive through the transformative power of technology. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Cacal, a seasoned leader with a background in entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and business strategy, expressed her excitement about joining TRUE. “I’m extremely excited to bring a fresh perspective to a wonderful organization that’s been doing amazing things from day one,” she said. “Being part of this organization and working together with the board to tech-enable Hawaiʻi and diversify its economy is something that I’m really passionate about.” As executive director, Cacal is taking on the responsibility of leading TRUE’s efforts to make technology more accessible to a broad range of organizations across the state. She emphasized that TRUE’s focus is on small businesses and local communities just as much as it's focusing on large enterprises. “Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise based in Hawaiʻi, we work to make technology more accessible,” Cacal explained. “We love to cross-pollinate perspectives from global organizations that I've built connections with over the years, alongside organizations that are deeply knowledgeable about the local context here in Hawaiʻi.” The initiative’s work aims to improve the state’s tech ecosystem by fostering collaborations, launching pilot programs and providing opportunities for workforce development. Cacal described her role in this process as both an innovator and a connector. “What I do is essentially make technology more accessible, not just for the tech industry but for all types of organizations, whether you’re a large enterprise or a small business,” she said. “I believe in combining different perspectives to make a more tech-enabled future in Hawaiʻi.” Since taking the reins, Cacal has focused on building partnerships to create opportunities for upskilling and reskilling Hawaiʻi’s workforce. She shared, “We’re looking to partner with organizations that want to build a robust workforce development component, creating more tech-enabled opportunities in Hawaiʻi.” These efforts are crucial in addressing Hawaiʻi’s educational challenges, particularly when it comes to STEM fields. “We’re working closely with organizations that are focused on workforce development and the demand for skilled tech talent,” Cacal said. Despite the challenges, Cacal remains optimistic. “I’m really excited about the potential of what we can do. We’ve got an amazing team, and we’re committed to ensuring that tech adoption is for all organizations here in Hawaiʻi.” Hopfer, who succeeded Peter Dames as TRUE’s chair, is equally enthusiastic about his new role. “I’m excited to build on the momentum TRUE has generated over the past few years,” he said. “TRUE has made remarkable strides in advancing its mission to create a diverse and sustainable economy for Hawaiʻi, and I look forward to working alongside Nicole to continue that work.” Hopfer’s experience as senior vice president and chief information officer at HMSA, combined with his leadership role in TRUE since 2020, makes him a natural fit to guide the initiative into its next phase. “As a committee member since 2020, I’ve had the honor of collaborating with incredible leaders,” Hopfer said. “Together, we can continue fostering innovation and advancing technology adoption in Hawaiʻi.” Under the leadership of Hopfer and Cacal, TRUE is poised to continue its transformative work. The initiative’s flagship event, the Hawaiʻi AI & Cloud Innovation Summit, has already made waves by attracting attention from key local stakeholders. In 2024, the summit saw significant growth as it doubled its reach and engagement through a strategic partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. TRUE’s efforts have already had a tangible impact on the state’s social and economic landscape. For example, the initiative spearheaded a collaboration between NEC Corporation and DataHouse to develop a groundbreaking app for the Institute for Human Services. This app empowers caseworkers to document client interactions in the field, streamlines the process and offers a model for tech adoption that could expand across multiple state agencies. Cacal highlighted the importance of such projects. “By working together with community leaders and organizations," she said. "we’re creating solutions that have a real impact on people’s lives.” Cacal’s background in driving innovation at the intersection of technology, sustainability and social impact further aligns with TRUE’s mission. Before joining TRUE, she founded Forbes Ignite, where she collaborated with major global companies such as American Express, Salesforce and Colgate-Palmolive. This experience, she believes, will serve her well in her role at TRUE. “I’ve worked with global companies to drive tech innovation; and now, I’m focused on making that same kind of impact here in Hawaiʻi,” Cacal said. The strategic vision for TRUE’s future includes continued expansion of its programs, with a particular focus on empowering local organizations. As Cacal noted, “We’re committed to increasing the accessibility of technology and making it easier for organizations to adopt and thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.” Looking ahead, Cacal emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving TRUE’s goals. “One of the things that excites me the most is the opportunity to work with a wide variety of organizations, all of which bring different insights and expertise to the table,” she said. “It’s all about creating an ecosystem where everyone can learn from each other and drive tech adoption forward.” With both Cacal and Hopfer now at the helm of TRUE, Hawaiʻi’s technology landscape looks set to continue evolving. The initiative’s efforts to foster tech adoption and build a more diversified, sustainable economy will be crucial to the state’s future as a means of offering new opportunities for its workforce and local businesses. “I’m thrilled to be part of this next chapter,” Cacal said. “We have so much potential here in Hawaiʻi, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.” You can click here to learn more about True Initiative. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 As TRUE continues to push boundaries and expand its impact, Cacal’s leadership will be a key factor in shaping Hawaiʻi’s tech-enabled future.