Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen
Co-Founder - He / Him
(5)
1
Location
Leavitt, Alberta, Canada
Bio

I am the co-founder of the Pono Pono Peace Initiative (together with my wife) and manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. My background is in public health and entrepreneurship. I graduated from Yale University with a Masters in Public Health (2005) and have spent twenty years in the healthcare system in various roles and projects. My jam includes innovative work we create projects/businesses/organizations in response to needs and opportunity. Working in undefined spaces and giving them shape and structure is a joy! I am a cancer survivor - diagnosed in November 2022. I am cancer free and have about a year left in recovery from surgery. I am enrolled in Penn State's Masters in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship program to help me upskill starting and growing projects and businesses.

Companies
Categories
Copy writing Digital marketing Fundraising Grant writing Website development

Socials

Latest feedback

Julian Loayza Jauregui
Learner
September 23, 2025
Project feedback
Working with Pono Pono and Steve has been a truly positive experience. Steve was always willing to help and very cooperative, making himself available to guide us whenever needed. He was punctual and consistent in attending meetings, which made the collaboration smooth and reliable. At the same time, he gave us the freedom to apply our skills and ideas in order to meet the project expectations, showing trust in our work. His guidance was always clear, respectful, and encouraging, helping us stay aligned with what Pono Pono needed while allowing us space to contribute creatively. Overall, it was a great experience working with him, and we truly appreciate the professionalism and openness he brought to the project.
University Canada West
Strategic Business Solutions C2: Capstone Project Class 2
University Canada West
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Digital Marketing Strategy for Online Course Promotion
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Orena Abigail Togba,
Orena Abigail Togba,
Learner
September 24, 2025
Project feedback
Working with Pono Pono was a truly enriching experience. Steve’s openness to collaboration and his clear passion for the brand made our engagement both meaningful and rewarding. The project allowed us to apply strategic thinking in a real-world context, and Steve’s feedback throughout helped us refine our ideas and stay aligned with the company’s values. We appreciated the trust he placed in our team and the flexibility he offered, which allowed us to explore creative solutions and deliver a content calendar tailored to Pono Pono’s goals. Overall, it was a great partnership that deepened our understanding of stakeholder communication and small business strategy.
University Canada West
Strategic Business Solutions C2: Capstone Project Class 2
University Canada West
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Digital Marketing Strategy for Online Course Promotion
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Ramírez Tawil MATEO,
Learner
September 26, 2025
Project feedback
Steve and his wife are battleing on a beutifull project that on my personal believe has to be a project to all the world to know. Steve is a great person and loves to hear all his stories. His story is beautiful. Big thanks to Steve for the help and resources he gave us to complete this project and hope we find something and create a calendar that they can use.
University Canada West
Strategic Business Solutions C2: Capstone Project Class 2
University Canada West
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Digital Marketing Strategy for Online Course Promotion
Pono Pono Peace Initiative

Achievements

Recent projects

Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Cultivating Safe Spaces: A Cultural Shift Initiative

The Pono Pono Peace Initiative seeks to develop a comprehensive sexual violence prevention program aimed at transforming organizational culture. The primary goal is to foster leadership that promotes a healthy work environment by addressing issues of patriarchy and hierarchy, which often contribute to environments where sexual harassment can occur. This project will involve researching best practices in organizational change, understanding the dynamics of power and privilege, and developing educational materials that can be used to train leaders and employees. The program will focus on creating awareness and providing practical tools for establishing workplace norms that prioritize respect, equality, and safety. By engaging with these concepts, learners will apply their classroom knowledge of organizational behavior, psychology, and leadership to real-world challenges, ultimately contributing to a safer and more inclusive workplace culture.

Matches 3
Category Gender studies + 4
Open
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Digital Marketing Strategy for Online Course Promotion

The Pono Pono Peace Initiative seeks to expand its reach and impact by promoting its online courses and training programs. The goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that effectively targets potential learners and increases course enrollment. The strategy should leverage various digital marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization, to reach a broader audience. The project will require an analysis of current market trends, competitor strategies, and the identification of the target demographic. By applying classroom knowledge of digital marketing principles, learners will create a cohesive plan that aligns with the organization's mission and values. The project aims to provide a practical application of marketing theories and tools, enhancing the learners' skills in strategic planning and digital communication.

Matches 4
Category Digital marketing + 4
Open
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Video Series - Consent Chronicles: Financial Analogies in Relationships

The Pono Pono Peace Initiative seeks to create an educational video series that mythbusts and teaches the concept of consent in relationships using financial transactions as an analogy. The project aims to address common misconceptions about consent by drawing parallels with financial decisions, such as stock purchases and deal approvals. By using relatable financial scenarios, the videos will help learners understand the importance of explicit consent and the fallacy of assuming consent based on past actions or perceived benefits. The project will involve developing scripts and producing short, engaging videos that effectively communicate these concepts. The goal is to provide a clear, educational resource that can be used in various educational settings to promote healthy relationship dynamics.

Matches 0
Category Gender studies + 4
Open
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Pono Pono Peace Initiative
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Peacebuilding Incubator Program Design

The Pono Pono Peace Initiative aims to establish an incubator program dedicated to nurturing innovative peacebuilding projects. The goal is to create a structured framework that supports individuals and teams in developing projects that promote peace and conflict resolution. The incubator will provide resources, mentorship, and a collaborative environment to foster creativity and effective problem-solving. The project involves researching existing incubator models, identifying best practices, and tailoring them to the specific needs of peacebuilding initiatives. The team will also develop a comprehensive plan outlining the program's structure, participant selection criteria, and evaluation metrics. This project offers learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge of program design, research methodologies, and strategic planning in a real-world context.

Matches 0
Category Project management + 2
Closed

Education

Masters of management in finance, Corporate Innovation And Entrepreneurship
The Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
January 2025 - August 2026
Bachelors and masters of public health, Social And Behavioral Sciences
Yale University
September 2003 - May 2005
Bachelors of science bsc (hons), Health Information Science
University of Victoria
September 1997 - May 2002