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 cohort 8 (2026-2027)

KEY DATES

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.

Application portal is now closed.

PROGRAM

  • Friday, 10/2/26 | 9:00a – 12:00p at MCBL | Wahine Rising Orientation

  • October 2026 | Wahine Forum Conference

  • Friday, 11/6/26 | 9:00a – 12:00p at MCBL | Leading With Confidence

  • Wednesday, 11/18/26 | 5:30p – 7:00p at YWCA - Cafe Julia | Mink Wahine Wisdom Series

  • Thursday, 12/10/26 | 5:30p – 7:30p at Fuller Hall | Mink Wahine Leadership Series: Holiday Pau Hana

  • Friday, 1/15/27 | 9:00a – 12:00p at MCBL | Building Your Leadership Capacity

  • Thursday, 2/18/27 | 11:30a – 1:00p at Fuller Hall | Mink Wahine Leadership Series

  • Friday, 3/5/27 | 9:00a – 12:00p at MCBL | Building Your Future Network

  • Friday, 3/26/27 | 5:00p – 7:00p at MCBL | Wahine Rising Mentorship Event

  • Wednesday, 4/7/27 | 5:30p – 7:00p at YWCA - Cafe Julia | Mink Wahine Wisdom Series

  • Tuesday, 5/4/27 | 11:30a – 1:00p at Fuller Hall | Mink Wahine Leadership Series

  • Thursday, 5/13/27 | 5:30p – 7:30p at Fuller Hall | Wahine Rising Graduation

*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.

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

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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.