Kanani Mahecha
Administrative Professional
Kanani Mahecha brings a diverse professional background and a people‑centered perspective to the McDonald Jacobs team. With more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Kanani developed a strong foundation in organization, service excellence, teamwork, and operational efficiency. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Kanani moved to Portland in 2013 to attend Oregon Culinary Institute and quickly fell in love with the city, choosing to make it home.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020, Kanani took time for reflection and embraced a career transition into administrative roles, focusing on technology, organized systems, and process improvement. Kanani was attracted to McDonald Jacobs not only for its warm and welcoming culture, but also for its community‑focused approach, commitment to not‑for‑profit organizations, and emphasis on green and sustainability‑minded initiatives.
Outside of work, Kanani enjoys photography, cooking, gardening, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and traveling with her wife. Kanani also values spending quality time with family and friends and embraces a lifestyle rooted in connection, creativity, and balance.