Newsmaker




Monday, December 30, 1996

Name: Carrie Kaufman
Age: 48
Position: Executive Director, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii
Education: Linfield College, Oregon
Pastimes: Art, physical fitness

As the organization's new executive director, a post she assumed early this month, Kaufman said she's thrilled to have an opportunity to make a difference. And she's convinced she can.

She's a fund-raising specialist and also brings "good management skills" to the position.

"The board of directors is committed and works extremely hard," Kaufman said. "They'd been without an executive director for three months. I can come in and take some of that responsibility off their shoulders ... I felt this was a good match."

Among her initial priorities, she plans to help implement a newly drafted strategic plan for the organization and "broadening the group's support base" in Hawaii.

Kaufman spent the last two years as development coordinator with the Hawaii Theatre Center; before that she operated a fabric and sewing-notions store at Ward Warehouse for seven years. Kaufman has an extensive background in marketing, community relations and fund raising.

Among her goals are to keep working with legislators to tighten up drunken driving laws and to educate children on the perils of driving under the influence of alcohol before bad habits take hold. Kaufman is especially excited about a new MADD program, "Youth in Action," which enlists teens in the legislative lobbying effort. And, Kaufman said she plans to put her fund-raising expertise to good use, soliciting funds in order to save lives.

Kaufman said she's believed strongly in the MADD movement since she and founder Carol McNamee were in the Junior League together in Honolulu several years ago.

"I feel that with this organization, I can make a difference," she said. "It's a great organization that's had a tremendous impact. But I see lots of opportunity to strengthen it."