Kinga Irene Sanders brings over two decades of experience in education, program coordination, and leadership to her role as the interim Program Director at Hawaiʻi Fi-Do Service Dogs. A Honolulu resident with deep roots in the islands, Kinga has spent her career building and supporting programs that serve people — from running dual credit and community education programs at the college level to guiding students and faculty as a high school vice principal.

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Kinga holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Augustana College, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and completed graduate studies in Educational Leadership at Seattle Pacific University, where she earned her Principal Certificate. Her academic background in science and her hands-on work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reflect a longstanding commitment to both community and the natural world.

Throughout her career, Kinga has hired and trained staff, built programs from the ground up, coordinated complex schedules and processes, and worked directly with diverse populations — including students with disabilities and English language learners. She knows what it takes to keep programs running smoothly while keeping people at the center.

Kinga's connection to Hawaiʻi Fi-Do runs deeper than her professional role. She first joined the organization two years ago as a puppy raiser — and she's still at it today. Her firsthand experience with the earliest and most foundational stage of a service dog's journey gives her a perspective on this work that no job description can teach.