The Honorable Rukebai Kikuo Inabo is a veteran politician and a leading advocate for gender equality, inclusive leadership, and national development in the Republic of Palau. Currently serving her fourth consecutive term in the Senate, she was first elected to the 9th Olbiil Era Kelulau and has since held numerous leadership roles, including Vice President of the Senate and Chairperson of several key committees spanning capital improvement, housing, public utilities, financial matters, and trade.
Madame Senator presently chairs the Senate Committee on Resources, Commerce, Trade and Development in the 12th Olbiil Era Kelulau, where she continues to advance policies that promote economic growth, regional cooperation, and equitable opportunity.
Prior to her election in 2016, Senator Inabo built a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, including service at the Office of the Public Auditor, the Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, the Bank of Hawaii, and as Chief Executive Officer of the Palau Public Utilities Corporation.
Senator Inabo holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Union College in Texas and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Houston.
A passionate advocate for women’s leadership and civic participation, she co-founded the Center for Women’s Empowered Belau (C-WEB) in 2014, alongside other distinguish Palauan women such as former Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior and former Minister Baklai Temengil-Chilton. Her advocacy extends to championing visibility of Palau’s aging population and persons with disabilities, urging their full inclusion in national policy and public life.
She is married to Darwin “Ling” Inabo, and together they have a son and a daughter.