Small Business Regulatory Review Board Administrator Dori Palcovich received recognition for her 20 years of exceptional service with the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). DBEDT posted on their website that Dori “is the driving force behind the Small Business Regulatory Review Board" and that they are “truly grateful for all that she does”. Congratulations Dori!
Dr. Poki`i Balaz Selected as Obama Foundation Scholar
Dr. Poki`i Balaz has been chosen as the first scholar from Hawaii to participate in the Obama Foundation Scholars Program. Poki`i is currently Chief Policy and Compliance Officer for Lunalilo Home, a residential care home that serves Hawaii’s kupuna.
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program is made up of 30 emerging leaders from around the world who will study at Columbia University or the University of Chicago. Congratulations Poki`i !
Lynn Araki-Regan and Joy Kimura Receive "Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year" Awards
Lynn Araki-Regan representing the Transportation Toastmasters Club and Joy Kimura, representing DBEDT for Business Toastmasters Club, received the 2022 Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year Awards from District 49 Toastmasters. District 49 Toastmasters encompasses all the Toastmasters Clubs in the State of Hawaii. Congratulations Lynn and Joy!
Poki`i Balaz promoted to Interim Executive Director for Lunalilo Home
Poki`i Balaz is now the Interim Executive Director at Lunalilo Home, where she will serve kupuna and underserved populations, focusing on neurology and Native Hawaiian Health. Congrautulations Poki`i!
Congratulations to OWL VP of Programs Ananda Ferriera on the birth of Baby Maia
Maia Ferreira was born on April 2, 2022 to proud parents Ananda and Ricardo Ferreira. Congratulations Ananda and Ricardo!
Julie Arigo Receives University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business 2022 Hall of Honor Award
Julie Arigo has been chosen to receive the 2022 Hall of Honor Award from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Shidler College of Business. The Hall of Honor Award recognizes Shidler College Alumni that have demonstrated business excellence in their professions, contributions to their community and dedication to the Shidler college.
Congratulations Julie!
Mona Choy Promoted to Senior Vice President and Hawaii Regional President of HomeStreet Bank
Mona Choy was recently promoted to Senior Vice President and Hawaii Regional President of HomeStreet Bank. She was previously the Senior Vice President and Hawaii Regional Manager. Mona is responsible for leading the retail banking operations in Hawaii, including the largest branch among HomeStreet’s 62 branches throughout the West Coast. Founded in 1921, HomeStreet Bank offers consumer and commercial banking, mortgage lending and loans for residential construction, commercial real estate financing, and insurance products and services throughout the West Coast and Hawaii.
Congratulations Mona!
Congratulations to OWL President Cici Fong on the birth of her beautiful daughter London
London Yoshida was born on March 24, 2022 to proud parents Cici Fong and LayneYoshida. The Yoshida Family from left to right: Kylie (13), Dillon (3), Cici, London (7 weeks) and Layne. Congratulations Cici and Layne!
Lynn Araki-Regan elected as Toastmasters District 49 Club Growth Director
Congratulations to Lynn Araki-Regan for being elected as Club Growth Director for Toastmasters District 49! The Club Growth Director is the third highest ranking officer in the District and is responsible for all aspects of marketing, club-building, and member retention efforts.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Spotlight on Joy Kimura
On May 2, 2022, the National AFL-CIO and Pride at Work spotlighted Joy Kimura for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Cheryl Cross Nominated to Serve on the Hawaii State Workforce Development Council
On Wednesday, March 30th, the Labor, Culture and Arts Committee of the Hawaii State Senate confirmed our VP, Cheryl Cross to serve a four-year term, July 2022 to July 2026 on the Workforce Development Council. Cheryl has 35 years as a subject matter expert in the fields of Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Marketing, Communications and Training. She has served as a Committee Member to the WDC Employer Engagement Committee since 2017, a group that advises the Workforce Development Council on ways to engage Hawaii's employers to utilize the resources and services of the American Job Center (s). Cheryl is a former International Talent Acquisition and Management professional with the Indo-Pacific offices of Booz Allen Hamilton, and now serves as an independent advisor and consultant for both DOD and Private Sector work, specializing in medium and small businesses. Each year she donates pro bono services to specific non-profit organizations on Oahu.
Congratulations Cheryl!
Poki`i Balaz named "20 for the Next 20"
Poki`i Balaz was featured in the February 2022 edition of Hawaii Business Magazine as one of 20 people chosen, whose talents, accomplishments and potential set them apart as emerging leaders of Hawai’i for the next two decades. Poki’i is the Interim Executive Director for Lunalilo Home, which provides compasionate quality care for kupuna, as well as residential, respite, adult day care and “meals to go” services.
Congratulations Poki’i!
Joy Kimura Nominated to Serve on the Hawaii State Board of Naturopathic Medicine and City and County of Honolulu's Oahu Workforce Development Board
Joy Kimura was nominated by Governor Ige and confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate to serve on the Hawaii State Board of Naturopathic Medicine. The Hawaii State Board of Naturopathic Medicine regulates and licenses Naturopathic Physicians. As a Board member, she will be supporting safe and effective consumer access to Naturopathic Medicine.
Also, she was nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the Honolulu City Council to serve as a Board Member for the Oahu Workforce Development Board, where she will assist with economic recovery efforts through workforce development programs. In addition, she is the Chair of the Sector Strategies Committee, which focuses on expanding industries to build skilled workforces.
Joy Kimura Appointed to Oahu Real Property Tax Advisory Commission
OWL member Joy Kimura has been appointed to the Oahu Real Property Tax Advisory Commission. Joy is also the Chair of the Rates and Classifications Committee for the Commission. The Oahu Real Property Tax Advisory Commission was established to advise and assist the Honolulu City Council by conducting a biennial review of the City's real property tax system. Congratulations Joy!
Sandra Leiggi Brandon named to the VII Cohort of Omidyar Fellows Program
Sondra Leiggi Brandon was named to the VII Cohort of the Omidyar Fellows Program. Sondra is the director of systems behavioral health programming for psychiatric/mental health nursing at Queen's Medical Center.
Omidyar Fellows is a societal change program that seeks to cultivate the conditions in which Hawaii thrives. Fellows participate in a 15-month curriculum and are part of the Forum of Fellows. The Fellows become an active network of leaders and change makers, all of whom are dedicated to making positive movement on Hawaii’s most pressing issues. Fellows also commit to the ongoing development of their leadership and its impact in Hawaii.
Cat Gelman Promoted to Vice President, Corporate Relations, Hawaii Public Radio
Cat Gelman was recently promotion to the newly created position of Vice President, Corporate Relations at Hawaii Public Radio. Prior to this, Cat had been Director of Corporate Relations for over 10 years.
Ann Nagel Promoted to Lead Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton
Ann Nagel, PMP, CMAP was recently promoted to Lead Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton. During her time with Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii, Ann supported project management, change strategy and implementation for a mix of commercial and defense clients. She returned to Booz Allen 2 years ago, after 6 years as a Senior Manager at Hawaiian Telecom. Prior to that she served in multiple management roles on the mainland with Level 3 Communications (now CentruryLink) and began her career as an officer in the United States Army.
Dr. Renee Green Promoted to Chief Academic Officer/Director of Academic Affairs at University of Phoenix, Hawaii Campus
Dr. Renee Green was recently promoted to Chief Academic Officer/Director of Academic Affairs for the University of Phoenix, Hawaii Campus where she oversees all thing compliance. She teaches both online and in the classroom, presents at various conferences, is involved in strengthening community partnerships and has a passion for scholarship.
Kristi Bates Named Vice President of Development at Easterseals Hawaii
Kristi Bates assumed the position of Vice President of Development at Easterseals Hawaii on July 1, 2019. In this role, Kristi engages with individuals and community partners who support the Easterseals mission to provide exceptional services to children and adults with special needs in Hawaii so they may achieve their goals and live independent and fulfilling lives.
Joy Kimura Featured in Building Industry Hawaii Magazine
Joy Kimura, OWL member, was featured in the March edition of the magazine Building Industry Hawaii. Joy manages the Government Affairs and Compliance Division of the Hawaii Laborers and Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund, a trust fund for Hawaii Laborers Union, Local 368. Featured in the article “Making Choices, Meeting Challenges,” Joy talked about the opportunities and challenges for women in the construction industry.