Announcing the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance Cohort 8

Honolulu, HI – The Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance, the only program in Hawai‘i designed to advance mid-career women through management and leadership skills training, has named 21 women leaders to its eighth cohort, beginning August 24. 

“I am proud to welcome 21 exceptional women leaders to the eighth Leadership Alliance cohort,” said Colleen McAluney, Director of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership. “It is especially important for us to continue lifting up the rising women leaders in our community who represent tomorrow’s future, and we continue to be extremely grateful to our generous supporters who believe in the Mink Leader program.” 

The following women have been selected for the 2023-2024 Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance: 

  • Susan Akina (Founding Partner, Akina Global, LLLC) 

  • Meagan Beyer (Senior Vice President, Enterprise Risk Director, American Savings Bank) 

  • Jennifer Burke (Director of Advancement & Community Relations, St. Andrew's Schools) 

  • Denise Della-Sabas (Director of Business Development & Community Partnerships, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center) 

  • Elena Farden (Executive Director, Native Hawaiian Education Council) 

  • Cristina Grimmer (Manager, Mid Group Account Management, Kaiser Permanente) 

  • Taylor Igarashi (Corporate Communications Manager, Servco Pacific Inc.) 

  • Shari Ishikawa (Director, Operational Technology, Hawaiian Electric Company Inc.) 

  • Callie Lewis (Human Resources Manager, HEMIC) 

  • Erica Liu (Vice President - Account Services, Anthology, a FINN Partners Company) 

  • Suma Metla (Owner, Three Little Ducks) 

  • Danielle Mills (Vice President, Deputy Director of Compliance, Central Pacific Bank) 

  • Shari Ann Minato (Senior Vice President, First Hawaiian Bank) 

  • Barbara Natale (Associate, Senior Planner, G70) 

  • Casey Obatake (General Manager, Capitol Place / Associa Hawaii) 

  • Misty Park (56 ACOMS Operations Superintendent, Hawaii Air National Guard) 

  • Roxanne Rivera-Lopes (Estimator/ Project Manager, Leeward Roofing / NWIR) 

  • Aubrey Rupinta (Lead Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton) 

  • Jessica Sphar (Director, Employee Relations, Hawaii Pacific Health) 

  • Serena Thomas (Commercial Real Estate Underwriter, Bank Of Hawaii) 

  • Filifotu Vaai (Vice President Consumer Sales, Hawaiian Telcom) 

To date, 130 Mink Leaders from diverse fields and industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, law, education, construction, small business and nonprofit, have graduated from the program. This year’s group of Mink Leaders is eager to take part in learning more about topics such as Financial Business Acumen; Community & Civic Impact; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Power of Persuasion, and Strategic Planning. Participants will benefit from valuable expertise offered throughout the program by prominent women leaders and facilitators. The curriculum also includes a community project that allows the cohort to contribute to YWCA Oʻahu’s mission of empowering women. 

The Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance began in September 2016 and is a 10-month program designed for emerging women leaders who are committed to personal growth, professional impact, and community change. This program further develops management and leadership skills to increase the representation of women executives in Hawai‘i. Through 100 hours of facilitated sessions, the cohort will have the opportunity to engage directly with established business professionals and build alliances with fellow Mink Leaders. Participants are chosen through a competitive application process and are required to attend 18 out of the 20 program sessions in order to graduate in May 2024. The program is offered by the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, at YWCA O‘ahu. 

The program was named in honor of the late Patsy T. Mink, who was both the first Asian-American woman and the first woman from Hawai‘i to serve in the U.S. Congress. She was renowned for her commitment to proactive leadership and women’s advocacy. 

For more information about the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance, visit www.mcblhawaii.org/minkleaders. 

Apply Today for Wahine Rising Cohort 5

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! Wahine Rising Cohort 5

Elevate your leadership skills with Wahine Rising. Take advantage of this opportunity to understand and develop your unique leadership style alongside other beginning leaders. Learn more about the community issues and topics women leaders face today and gain tools to overcome them.

Apply now at mcblhawaii.org/wahine-rising and take the first step towards becoming a strong and confident leader. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 4th!

Launching MCBL's First Mink Wahine Leadership Retreat

This fall MCBL will be hosting its first Mink Wahine Leadership Retreat at YWCA Kokokahi! We invite you to join us and get ready to be inspired, connect with likeminded Hawaii women leaders, and learn applicable skills to increase your leadership impact.

Benefits

  • Full access to 1-day leadership retreat, including the following leadership workshops:

  • Communication & Building Your Leadership Presence

  • Project Management: Work Breakdown Structure

  • Mindfulness & Well-Being

  • Embracing Change & Thriving

  • Mink Wahine Swag Bag

  • Healthy breakfast, lunch, and pau hana catered by local small businesses

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, September 9

  • Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm

  • YWCA Kokokahi (Kaneohe)

Registration

  • Advanced registration required.

RECAP: May 2023 Mink Wahine Leadership Series - Authentic & Difficult Conversations

On Thursday, May 4th, MCBL hosted over 100 women leaders for our second Mink Wahine Leaderships Series on Authentic and Difficult Conversations. During this engaging discussion, featured leaders from our community provided tips and takeaways to help attendees navigate difficult conversations while creating opportunities to foster relationships and move forward to creative solutions.

MCBL would like to extend a huge MAHALO to our guest speakers for committing their time, sharing their expertise, and making this an insightful event!

Jill Higa | Senior Executive VP, Bank of Hawaii
Debbie Ramelb | Director of Human Resources, St. Francis Healthcare System
Roy Nafarrete | VP of Human Resources, Hawaii Medical Service Association
Moderator - Nina Horioka | Fund Development Director, Parents and Children Together

Announcing the Women Leaders of the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance Cohort 7

Honolulu, HI – The Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance, the only program in Hawai‘i designed to enable mid-career women to advance their management and leadership skills, has named 21 women leaders to its seventh cohort, starting on August 25.

“I am thrilled to welcome 21 outstanding women leaders to the seventh Leadership Alliance cohort,” said Colleen McAluney, Director of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership. “It is especially important for us as a community to lift the rising women leaders who represent tomorrow’s future, and we continue to be extremely grateful to our generous supporters who believe in the Mink Leader program.”

The following women have been selected for the 2022 -2023 Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance:

  • Shannon Alivado (Director of Government Relations, Hawaiian Electric)

  • Kauʻilani Arce (Program Manager, Liliʻuokalani Trust)

  • Amy Arfman (Deputy Commander, Hawaii Air National Guard)

  • Cynthia Flower (Assistant Vice President & Controller, Finance Insurance LLC)

  • Samantha Gabriel (AVP & Compliance Officer, First Hawaiian Bank)

  • Mara Garcia (K-12 Wellness Director, St. Andrew's Schools)

  • Alicia Griep (Sr. Manager Retail Operations, Tori Richard)

  • Kimberly Haruki (Vice President - Director of Brand and Communications, Central Pacific Bank)

  • Nicole Johnson (Lead Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton)

  • Katie Kaahanui (Program Manager, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii)

  • Nalani Kealaiki (Community Strategist, Kamehameha Schools)

  • Lana Murakami (Director, Customer Support Services, American Savings Bank)

  • Jacqueline Ng-Osorio (Owner/Principal Consultant, Ng-Osorio Consulting)

  • Ngoc Nguyen (Director of Strategic Finance, Hawaiian Telcom)

  • Makana Reilly (Director of Work-Based Learning, Kauaʻi Economic Development Board (KEDB)

  • Di Salas (Brand & Communications Strategist, Hawaii Dental Service)

  • Karesse Sato (Product Development Manager, Aloha Pacific FCU)

  • Cheri Souza (Hawaiʻi Postsecondary Success Program Officer, Stupski Foundation)

  • Robyn Tanaka (SVP, Director Retail Credit Risk, Bank of Hawaii)

  • Meeta Vu (Co Founder, Hub Coworking Hawaiʻi)

  • Julie Yunker (Director of Sustainability Government & Community Relations, Hawaii Gas)

To date, 129 Mink Leaders from diverse fields and industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, law, education, construction, small business and nonprofit, have graduated from the program. This year’s group of Mink Leaders is eager to take part in learning more about topics such as Financial Business Acumen; Community & Civic Impact; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Power of Persuasion, and Strategic Planning. Participants will benefit from valuable expertise offered throughout the program by prominent women leaders and facilitators. The curriculum also includes a community project that allows the cohort to contribute to YWCA Oʻahu’s mission of empowering women.

“We are honored to help support the work of the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance,” said David Tumilowicz, Senior Director of Marketing and Community Health for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. “Providing training helps develop our next generation of leaders and builds economic opportunity for our entire community.”

The Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance began in September 2016 and is a 10-month program designed for emerging women leaders who are committed to personal growth, professional impact, and community change. This program further develops management and leadership skills in an effort to increase the representation of women executives in Hawai‘i. Through almost 100 hours of facilitated sessions, the cohort will have the opportunity to engage directly with established business professionals and build alliances with fellow Mink Leaders. Participants are chosen through a competitive application process and are required to attend 18 out of the 20 program sessions in order to graduate in May 2023. The program is offered by the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, at YWCA O‘ahu.

The program was named in honor of the late Patsy T. Mink, who was both the first Asian-American woman and the first woman from Hawai‘i to serve in the U.S. Congress. She was renowned for her commitment to proactive leadership and women’s advocacy.

For more information about the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance, visit www.mcblhawaii.org/minkleaders.

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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All MCBL events and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.