Remote work program appoints director

“Movers and Shakas,” a public-private initiative to recruit out-of-state professionals and former Hawaii residents to work remotely from Hawaii while volunteering in the local community, has named Nicole Lim as its director.

Lim, A graduate of Iolani School, herself had returned home to work remotely. She will lead and provide strategic direction to the program as it prepares to welcome its first cohort of 50 participants over the next few months.

“We all envision a future for Hawaii with a more diversified economy,” said Lim. “I’m grateful to be chosen to lead Movers and Shakas, as we seek to reduce dependence on tourism by cultivating sectors like technology and encouraging remote work.

“I look forward to working with the team and with the first group of participants who will be volunteering in our community and cultivating a sense of shared stewardship for Hawaii’s culture and natural resources,” she added.

Lim is a consultant and executive coach with more than 15 years of international experience in finance and technology. She previously worked as a senior manager in corporate strategy and global expansion for eBay, and as a management consultant for L.E.K. Consulting in Los Angeles and Sydney.

Lim holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Nicole is a prime example of someone who took the pandemic as an opportunity to come home, reunite with family, work remotely and contribute to our economy and community,” said Lynelle Marble, executive director of the Hawaii Executive Collaborative, one of the organizing partners of the Movers & Shakas program. “We are excited to have Nicole lead the initiative, as she embodies everything that we would hope for from an M&S participant – talented and committed to making Hawaii a better place.”

After its widely-covered launch last month, the Movers and Shakas program attracted thousands of applicants, including many former residents, interested in working remotely from the islands. In addition to contributing to the local economy, participants are expected to share their expertise and professional connections to support the community and nurture local talent during their time in Hawaii.

The initial group chosen for the program will receive a free round-trip ticket to Oahu and access to special promotions and other benefits.

After a competitive application and interview process, the program selected 200 finalists and expects to confirm the first cohort of 50 participants in the coming weeks.

About Movers and Shakas 

Movers and Shakas is an initiative to recruit purpose-driven remote workers to help build a more resilient economy in Hawaii and create a reimagined model of tourism where visitors are actively involved in giving back, caring for our land, and restoring our island home. The program aims to increase resilience in our economy by bringing back former residents, as well as out-of-state individuals, to boost Hawaii’s growing entrepreneurship and innovation sectors. Participants will receive exclusive promotions and will give back to the community by volunteering with local nonprofits and participating in knowledge, skill and cultural exchange. For more information about the Movers & Shakas program, visit www.moversandshakas.org.