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 7 (2025-2026)

 
 

  • Stacie Molina - Escrow Support Manager | First American Vacation Ownership Title & Escrow Services of Hawaii, Inc.

  • Kristin Nakamoto - Manager, Strategic Performance | Hawaiian Electric

  • Shari Nishijima - Communications Director | Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaiʻi

  • Lauren Okinaka - Marketing Consultant | Island Insurance

  • Telesia Pasese - Executive Administrative Assistant | Office of Wellness and Resilience

  • Alison Punohu - Deposit Operations Manager | Hawaii National Bank

  • Eliza Talbot - Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs | AES Hawaiʻi

  • Shawna Urashima - Supervisor, Quality Improvement | Ohana Health Plan

  • Anjanette Vazquez - Health Services Management | 154th Medical Group, Hawaii Air National Guard

  • Michelle Wightman - Claims Manager | Hawaiian Electric

  • Sharilyn Williams - Grants Director | Resurgens Impact Counseling

  • Leilani Willing - Coordinator | Office of Wellness and Resilience

  • Kristina Awo - Commercial Client Manager| Hawaiian Electric

  • Kekai Batungbacal - Safety Supervisor| Henkels & McCoy West

  • Sandra Jazmin Caraballo-Santillan - Accountant | Lanakila Pacific

  • Richelle Concepcion - Clinical Psychologist | Defense Health Agency - Tripler Army Medical Center

  • Frances Corotan - Digital Banking Administrator | Hawaii National Bank

  • Faith Duenas - Organizational Development & Learning Consultant| Hawaiian Electric

  • Erica Gutierrez - AVP, Senior Brand Marketing Manager | Central Pacific Bank

  • Brandi Higa - Information Officer | City and County of Honolulu

  • Abigail Hurgo - Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Engagement | Chaminade University of Honolulu

  • Lisa Inthirath - Accounting Manager | Teruya Brothers, Ltd.

  • Ramona Lariosa - Owner/CEO | Haloa Construction LLC

  • Sarah Marcelo - Consumer Loan Center Supervisor | HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

  • Emily McAfee - 2LT OIC F-22 Maintenance | 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.