Wahine Rising is a 30-hour leadership program created to help elevate our future women leaders. This program focuses on potential women leaders looking to build core competencies. Through facilitated classes and our Mink Wahine Leadership events, the women will learn about various leadership issues and topics that are relevant to their personal and professional development.
Benefits
Takeaway tips from featured Subject Matter Experts and Guest Speakers
Gain valuable insights and knowledge in a variety of topics relevant to professional women
Learn from and be inspired by women entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders
Network with attendees
Healthy meals are catered by local small businesses for in-person events.
Wahine Rising 2025-2026- cohort 7
KEY DATES
Application Portal Opens July 1, 2025
The program starts October 2, 2025 to May 12, 2026
Cost $1,350
Includes three class sessions with optional lunch
Includes attendance to Wahine Forum Conference
Includes three Mink Wahine Leadership Series Events
Includes one Mink Wahine Pau Hana networking event
Includes two Mink Wisdom Series Mentoring Events
All Wahine Rising events are held at YWCA O'ahu, at the Patsy T. Center for Business & Leadership (MCBL), and Elizabeth Fuller Hall
Classes are from 9:00a - 12:00p in MCBL. Mink Wahine Leadership Series events are from 11:30a -1:00p.
Deadline to Register: September 8, 2025
PROGRAM
Wahine Rising Orientation - Thursday, 10/2/25 | 9:00a - 12:00p at MCBL
Wahine Forum Conference - Friday, 10/24/25 | 8:00a - 4:00p at Hilton Hawaiian Village
Mink Wahine Wisdom Series - Wednesday, 11/5/25 | 5:30p - 7:00p at YWCA Laniakea Courtyard
Building Your Confidence - Wednesday, 11/12/25 | 9:00a - 12:00p at MCBL**
Mink Wahine Leadership Series: Holiday Pau Hana - Thursday, 12/4/25 | 5:30p - 7:30p at Fuller Hall
Building Your Leadership Capacity- Thursday, 1/15/26 | 9:00a - 12:00p at MCBL**
Mink Wahine Leadership Series - Thursday, 2/19/26 | 11:30a - 1:00p at Fuller Hall
Wahine Rising Mentorship Event - Wednesday, 3/4/26 | 11:30a - 1:00p at MCBL
Building Your Future Network - Thursday, 3/12/26 | 9:00a - 12:00p at MCBL**
Mink Wahine Wisdom Series - Wednesday, 4/8/26 | 5:30p - 7:00p at YWCA Laniakea Courtyard
Mink Wahine Leadership Series - Thursday, 5/7/26 | 11:30a - 1:00p at Fuller Hall
Wahine Rising Graduation - Tuesday, 5/12/26 | 5:30p - 7:30p at Fuller Hall
*Rising Leaders are required to attend at least 10 of the 12 sessions in order to receive a Certification of Completion with the orientation and graduation being mandatory.
** Optional lunch to follow the three class sessions from 12:00p - 12:30p.
***Disclaimer: The scheduled dates, times, and facilitators may be subject to change without prior notice.
INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR WAHINE RISING cOHORT 7
Meet Cohort 6 (2024-2025)
Danielle Masuda - Assistant Provost for Inclusive Excellence | Chaminade University of Honolulu
Jessica McDonald - Member Services Branch Manager | Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund
Lydia Mertyris - Manager, Emergency Planning and Preparedness | Hawaiian Electric
Ningjin Miao - Manager, Financial Reporting Compliance | Hawaiian Electric
Tiffanie Mitchell - Senior Branch Operations Trainer | Hawaii National Bank
Grizel Nutter - Vice President and Branch Manager | Central Pacific Bank
Jennifer Padre - Member Experience Manager | Hawaii Employers Council
Beverly Tagami - Senior Interior Designer | WCIT Architecture
Megan Wong - Senior Transactions Counsel | Nutcracker Therapeutics, Inc.
Bonnie Yuen - Vice President, Business Analytics Manager, Hawaii National Bank
Kathryn Zabala-Savellano - Human Resources Manager | HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
Charlyn Agonoy - Digital Banking Manager| Hawaii National Bank
Kanani Bikle - Logistics Specialist| Hawaii Foodservice Alliance, LLC
Amber Bonifacio - Interior Architecture | WCIT Architecture
Jodie Burgess - Procurement and Contracts | Office of Wellness and Resilience
Tanya Diaz-Chong - Manager, Customer Service Improvement | Hawaiian Electric
Kelly Hamamura - Owner | Astrology by Kelly
Geraldine Joy Ibarra - Community Relations and Impact Lead
Kanani Imai - Manager, Education and Consumer Affairs | Hawaiian Electric
Candee Kageyama - Manager, Executive Staff Support | Hawaii Air National Guard
Cerry Kato - Bank Secrecy Account Manager | HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
Ashlyn King - Air Force Officer | Hawaii Air National Guard
Fonoimoana M. Siaki - Airfield Operations | Hawaii Air National Guard
MCBL is proud to be the special non-profit partner at the Wahine Forum Conference, Hawaii's largest leadership and career development conference in the state of Hawaii. The conference is attended by Hawaii's top female executives, female entrepreneurs, up-and-coming female leaders, and women intent on advancing their careers.
Wahine Forum 2017 Mink Leaders
