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 ninth cohort, beginning August 22.
“We are extremely excited to welcome our next cohort of aspiring Mink Leaders to the Leadership Alliance,” said Colleen McAluney, Director of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership. “It is so important for us to continue lifting our community’s rising women leaders to succeed both personally and professionally as they represent tomorrow’s future.”
The following women have been selected for the 2024 – 2025 Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance:
Michelle Ake (Founder & CEO, Malu Productions, Inc.)
Nohea Bernard (VP, Service & Support Manager, Bank of Hawaii)
Victoria Boren (Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton)
Melissa Fitzgerald (Director of VMO and Procurement, HMSA)
Tami Fujiwara (VP & Service Manager, First Hawaiian Bank)
Domonica Glenn (CEO/ Founder, The Growing Patch 24-Hour Children Academy)
Amanda Guerra (Vice President and Director of Internal Audit, Hawaii National Bank)
Khrystyn Huynh (Marketing, Brand Activation, Hawaiian Telcom)
Shelli Ihori (Director, Workforce Development, Hawaii Pacific Health)
Jennifer Kumura (Product Design Manager, Servco Pacific Inc.)
Florelei Lopez (Assistant Vice President, Branch Support Manager, Central Pacific Bank)
Mandy Mahuka (Flight Chief, Military Personnel Flight, Hawaii Air National Guard)
Cara Odo (Architect, NAVFAC Hawaii)
Brandy Oki (Chief Administrative Officer, HawaiiUSA FCU)
Annalise Pasalo (Vicar, Emmanuel, St. Matthew's & Calvary Episcopal Churches)
Lisa-Maria Priester, Principal, Director of Interior Design, WCIT Architecture)
Molly Schmidt (Regional Chief Operating Officer, American Red Cross)
Kari Shintaku (Vice President, Quality Improvement, Centene Corporation/'Ohana Health Plan)
Karwin Sui (Communications Manager, American Savings Bank)
Kimberly Vaituulala (Superintendent, System Operations Control Center, Hawaiian Electric – Maui County)
Kahealani Winchester (Associate, Project Manager, G70)
To date, 150 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 young women through the Bella Project.
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 must attend 18 out of the 20 program sessions to graduate in May 2025. 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.
