KEAAU, HI, September 30, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Billi-Jo M. Pike has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Pike's career in the nonprofit sector is marked by a steady progression of responsibility and impact, culminating in her current role as executive director of Neighborhood Place of Puna, a position she has held since 2026. After being mentored by the organization's previous executive director for several years, she transitioned smoothly into leadership following his retirement in December 2025. In this capacity, she drives the organization's mission to strengthen families and youth throughout Hawaii County, with a focus on trauma-informed service delivery, strategic grant pursuit and fostering strong external partnerships. Her responsibilities include supporting leadership staff through complex situations, representing Neighborhood Place of Puna at panel presentations such as the Institute on Violence and Trauma in March 2026, and maintaining organizational alignment with its mission.

A self-described data enthusiast, Ms. Pike has been instrumental in building and overseeing an internal database system that collects consistent information from every family or young person entering any program at Neighborhood Place of Puna. This system is supplemented by feedback from a youth advisory council and a parent advisory committee, ensuring that services remain responsive to community needs.

One of Ms. Pike's most significant achievements is the development of a shared database system in August 2023 for service providers across Hawaii County working with unsheltered individuals and families. Unlike the federal database, which only tracks those connected to federally funded programs, her system identified and connected hundreds of otherwise untracked individuals to non-federally funded providers. The success of this initiative led to its adoption by the mayor's office and its integration into the county's official homeless system. This innovation also enabled Neighborhood Place of Puna to conduct the first dedicated street youth study in the county, identifying approximately 156 homeless youth between ages 14 and 24 and leading to the creation of drop-in centers specifically for this population.

Prior to her appointment as executive director, Ms. Pike served as director of programs and community engagement at Neighborhood Place of Puna for approximately four years. In this dual capacity, she alternated between managing existing programs and building new initiatives depending on organizational needs. Her leadership during this period was characterized by adaptability and a commitment to collaborative solutions.

Earlier in her tenure at Neighborhood Place of Puna, Ms. Pike held the role of program coordinator for Hale 'Iki Family Assessment Center, the first family assessment center in Hawaii County providing emergency shelter for families with minor children experiencing homelessness. This position marked her initial step into organizational leadership after advancing through case management and outreach roles within the organization over nine and a half years. Her journey began as a volunteer running the food pantry program after discovering Neighborhood Place of Puna while navigating her own experience with homelessness as a young mother.

Ms. Pike's expertise in child abuse and neglect prevention as well as homelessness services is widely recognized throughout Hawaii County. She is an active member of several industry-related organizations, including participation in the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations Fellows Program as part of its 2026 cohort for new executive directors influencing their communities — an affiliation she considers primary. Additionally, she serves as chairperson of Community Alliance Partners, the countywide continuum of care for homelessness, and sits on the advisory board for the Hawaii Children's Trust Fund.

Educationally, Ms. Pike's background has played a foundational role in shaping her approach to service and leadership. She earned a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Arizona in 2021, completing her studies entirely online during a period shaped by pandemic-related challenges. The field continues to inform her culturally grounded perspective on service delivery in Hawaii. She also holds an associate degree in early childhood education, which provided her initial entry point into volunteer work at Neighborhood Place of Puna and remains central to her focus on family support services.

Overall, Ms. Pike attributes her professional success first to her lived experience within systems of care — an experience that instilled both passion and empathy for those she serves — and second to the mentorship provided by Paul Normann, former executive director at Neighborhood Place of Puna. She credits Mr. Normann with empowering her as a leader by encouraging risk-taking within supportive boundaries and helping her develop confidence in environments where women are often underrepresented.

Beyond her primary career roles, Ms. Pike has demonstrated deep civic engagement through volunteerism and public service projects across Hawaii County. She volunteers with Interfaith Communities in Action, contributing to efforts such as packing hygiene kits for families experiencing homelessness and helping organize summits that bring faith communities together around shared concerns like housing insecurity. At Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles Homeless Ministry, she supports meal services for unhoused people — an effort that now includes her son, who secured funding for this work through his own grant-writing initiative.

During times of crisis on Hawaii Island, Ms. Pike has directed critical relief efforts through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. In 2018 following a major lava eruption, she managed disaster assistance programs distributing $250,000 to Native Hawaiian families affected by displacement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she oversaw emergency rental assistance programs that distributed approximately $24 million to keep families housed amid economic hardship.

Born in San Diego, Ms. Pike is dedicated to both professional service and personal fulfillment within her family life. She is married with five children and shares her home with two dogs she affectionately calls her four-legged kids. The family enjoys playing card games and board games together whenever possible while also spending time gardening and developing their homestead on Hawaii Island.

Ms. Pike believes that preventing child abuse and neglect is a shared community responsibility and is committed to ensuring that Neighborhood Place of Puna makes a meaningful impact through compassionate, high-quality services. She leads with integrity and genuine dedication, working to ensure the organization fulfills its commitments and serves families with care. She also places strong emphasis on cultivating a supportive, connected team, viewing the organization as both an integral part of the community it serves and a community within itself.

Ms. Pike's contributions have been recognized publicly. Notably, she was featured in "Mobile Family Resource Center Rolls Out in Puna" by the Hawaii Tribune Herald. Looking ahead, she aims to ensure that all families and youth throughout Hawaii County receive needed services regardless of geographic location or perceived need level. She envisions expanding Neighborhood Place of Puna's reach into rural communities while deepening its focus on child abuse and neglect prevention using data-driven approaches similar to those that have proven effective in addressing homelessness locally. Establishing a shared data system among service providers remains one of her key goals alongside broadening access to essential support services across underserved regions.

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