Ms. Bettina Mehnert is a trailblazer in a once male-dominated field. Starting at AHL 1988, she rose steadily, becoming the company’s first female principal, director and now COO. She is known for her belief in people and a participative management style. In addition to her COO role, she is the director of marketing and human resources

She was a mastermind behind moving AHL into the high tech firm it is today. As an architect herself she realized the need for a distinct and separate marketing department, today recognized as a hallmark of exceptional architectural firms. Her track record in business development is testament to that vision. 

Bettina facilitated AHL adopting the national 1% program that connects nonprofits with architecture firms to give one percent of their billable hours annually to pro bono projects. The renovation of the Salvation Army’s women and children’s transition home was AHL’s first in this program. As the principal in charge, her impact will be realized by thousands of women and children. AHL’s other 1% projects included the renovation of the Kahuku Medical Center’s Emergency Room and AHL is now working on a roof garden for the Institute of Human Services agricultural/gardening certification program for homeless women.

To Bettina, community is an essential part of the corporate philosophy. To her it’s more than donations, fundraisers and boards – it also means getting your hands dirty, literally.  She works alongside AHL volunteer teams, from annual beach cleanups to digging holes to help Camp Erdman (YMCA) build Hawaii’s first sustainable playground.

She is the chair of the Board of Managers for YMCA’s Camp Erdman, serves on the board of directors, Hawaii Nature Center, is a member of The Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services Advisory Council, chair of the Honolulu Community College Advisory Board and is an adjunct faculty member for the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

As the designated spokesperson she does numerous print and television interviews, and is a much sought after speaker at industry conferences and events. 

Born and raised in Germany, Bettina has architectural experience in numerous project types and sizes, such as education and institutional facilities, healthcare, hospitality, residential, commercial and light industrial projects. One of her first AHL projects was the Berlin Wall Freedom Monument at Honolulu Community College; years later, she was a guest speaker at HCC’s 20^th anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall in November.

She received her graduate degrees in computer science and architecture from University, Trier, Germany, and an Executive MBA from Hawai‘i Pacific University.  Bettina is a Pacific Century Fellow and a member of the German Chamber of Architects.