Pohai joined the fund development team in May 2024 following two years of administrative and fundraising experience at the Leelanau Township Community Foundation. Born in Hawaii and partially raised in Tennessee, his first experience with Leelanau County occurred in the summer of 2001 while on family vacation to visit relatives. As is the case with many first-time visitors, his parents were smitten with the area’s quaint villages, rural character, and stunning scenic beauty. At the end of the vacation, the decision was made to relocate to Leelanau County. There was an important historical connection as well: The ancestors on his maternal grandfather’s side (the Petersons) emigrated from Norway in the 1870s and called Suttons Bay home for decades.
Pohai graduated from Northport Public School in 2010 and from the University of Michigan in 2014, earning a BA in film theory and production. He worked in the photo and video industry for a several years, spending time in Chicago, LA, and Hawaii, before wanderlust inspired him to book a one-way ticket to Spain in 2019. He eventually found his way to the Canary Islands, where he worked as an English teacher, surf instructor, and remote freelancer during the pandemic years. In early 2022, he returned to Northern Michigan to be closer to family and reconnect with the community of his formative years.
Like many members of the conservancy’s staff and board, Pohai relishes time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, freshwater surfing, lounging on a beach, or simply contemplating in nature. Elsewhere, he is deeply passionate about soccer as a player, fan, and referee for high school games. He is thrilled to join the wonderful, hardworking staff at the Leelanau Conservancy and engage in essential work to support the organization’s mission.
