Malia Kealana Burgess [she|her] is a mental health clinician, professor, and leader. She was born in Kahuku, Hawaii, where her father danced on a boat for tourists at Polynesian Cultural Center. Malia earned a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Pacific University and a Master of Social Work from Boise State University. Since then, she's spent most of her life and upbringing in communities among the American West.

As CEO of North Shore Therapy, PLLC, Malia guides individuals toward self-compassion and their own innate resilience. She is a Clinical Director at Encircle, where she spearheads rural outreach efforts, with particular focus in Southern Utah. She sits on the board of directors at PIK2AR and Sunstone, reflecting both sides of cultural background.

As a young woman, Malia navigated her own complex identities while living in culturally monolithic communities, learning firsthand the impact that resilience and integrity have on individuals. One of Malia’s lifelong missions is to help underserved communities advocate in binary systems, dismantle barriers, and connect with the resources they need to live full and vibrant lives. For her, it's about more than just providing resources; it's about building bridges and fostering well-being, one compassionate connection at a time.