About Keapo

Sherawn Keapo Bissen assists nonprofits, companies and communities in navigating the federal landscape to build a brighter future for our islands.

Keapo joined SR Partners in 2021, bringing generational knowledge of the Hawaiian islands and expertise gained within the halls of Capitol Hill to her work. She was born and raised on Maui, with family ties spanning across the Hawaiian islands, from the countryside of Kamuela to the lush peninsula of Keanae to the blue waters of Makena. She grew up in a deeply-rooted Hawaiian household shaped by her maternal grandmother, a manaleo — a native speaker of Olelo Hawaii. To this day, Keapo’s grandmother’s wisdom and stories serve as her kahua (foundation), guiding her views and values of culture, language, and kuleana.

Keapo attended Kamehameha Schools – Maui and studied Political Science at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. After graduating in 2017, she worked for the University of Hawaii Maui College organizing outreach with intermediate and high school students, in addition to assisting with federally-funded workforce and education grant programs. In 2019, she was selected for the Native American Political Leadership Program’s 10-member cohort in Washington, D.C., then went on to serve U.S. Senator Brian Schatz as a Daniel K. Akaka Fellow. 

Since joining SR Partners, Keapo has led efforts to guide Hawaii organizations and Native Hawaiian communities in advocating for resources with Capitol Hill allies. From helping to facilitate the Native Hawaiian Legislative Hui to advocating for community pillars such as Maui Economic Opportunity, Keapo brings a wealth of knowledge to ensure Hawaii’s voices are heard by government leaders deciding how to allocate funding and enact policy changes.

Keapo has been a part of the Na Pua Noeau Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children, Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, the AT&T Center for Indigenous Politics & Policy, and Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with friends and family.