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.
