Daphne Tong-Pave is the Director of Compliance and joined the Nakupuna Companies in 2022.

Daphne has served as the principal advisor for all U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) compliance activities at the Nakupuna Companies since 2014, a position she initially held as an independent consultant. Daphne helped obtain SBA 8(a) certification for three of the Nakupuna Companies and continues to ensure they comply with SBA program regulations. Daphne is also responsible for developing and overseeing a compliance program across the Nakupuna Companies that ensures business operations comply with applicable regulations and policies.

Prior to joining the Nakupuna Companies, Daphne co-founded Holomua Consulting Group, LLC, a women-owned small business. As Vice President and Senior Consultant, Daphne was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the firm and advising clients on issues related to small business contracting programs and regulatory compliance. She also served as the Native Hawaiian Organization Association’s (NHOA’s) co-Executive Director, where she helped advocate for the NHO 8(a) program. Daphne began her career working as an aide to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, where she managed a portfolio of various issues – including defense as well as Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and Native American concerns — and assisted with developing and advancing legislation.

Daphne is passionate about serving the community and advocating for Native Hawaiian and education related issues. Daphne currently serves on the Board of the Hoʻomāhua Foundation to establish place-based learning opportunities and foster community engagement, particularly for the Waiʻanae coast community of ‘Oahu.

Daphne holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.