Dirk Soma

Dirk Soma is a builder of ecosystems — where entrepreneurship, culture, and community meet to spark lasting change. As Baker Hill’s Director of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, he brings a rare blend of entrepreneurial grit and visionary leadership, helping institutions and innovators unlock new opportunities that create real impact.

A lifelong entrepreneur and educator, Dirk has spent more than two decades shaping the future of business through both private ventures and higher education. As Associate Professor and Business Program Coordinator at Kauai Community College, he champions experiential learning and community-centered innovation. He is the creator of the Kanaka Kanvas©, a pioneering framework that reframes entrepreneurship through the lens of culture and place, inspiring a new generation of changemakers.

Dirk’s work extends far beyond the classroom. He facilitated the first Native Hawaiian Entrepreneurship Program on Kauai, in collaboration with the State of Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs, opening doors for Native Hawaiian innovators. To strengthen local food systems, he designed and delivered the curriculum for the Common Ground Incubator Program’s three cohorts, supporting farmers and value-added food manufacturers. Recognizing the unique needs of veterans transitioning into entrepreneurship, Dirk successfully lobbied the Institute for Veteran and Military Families at Syracuse University to bring the Start-up Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurs Program to Hawaii — the first and only of its kind in the state.

His efforts have earned national recognition, including the Small Business Advocate for Minorities Award (Kauai County, 2016), the Veterans Entrepreneurship Advocacy Award (Hawaii, 2023), and his selection as a NACCE Fellow for the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship. His initiatives have also been featured in Forbes and Noelo Magazine.

Born in Waimea, Kauai, and raised in Aliamanu, Oahu, Dirk’s entrepreneurial journey began with lemonade stands, malasadas, and mango sales — early ventures that paid for movie nights and sparked a lifelong passion for innovation. Since then, he’s built everything from t-shirt brands to aviation catering services, proving that entrepreneurship is as much about mindset as it is about business.

Outside of work, Dirk continues to inspire through workshops, speaking engagements, and community leadership.