carol ai may

LeaderLuncheon Honoree 2005 

Carol Ai May recalls her grandfather saying these words.  The meaning is reflected in Carol’s actions and lifestyle, as a business leader, a community volunteer and a dedicated parent.

As Vice President of City Mill Co., Inc., Carol has demonstrated her strengths as a business person.  She leads with compassion, builds winning teams and solves problems with creativity and style.  Throughout the challenges and triumphs of City Mill’s 106-year history, the family motto has been, “persevere, be willing to change, and be humble.”  Carol’s management style epitomizes this philosophy.  When faced with rising competition from “big box” stores in recent years, Carol developed innovative marketing strategies to keep the company fresh and competitive.  As a result of her creativity and drive, City Mill has flourished in the past six years, opening three new stores and rising in the annual ranking of Hawaii’s “Top 250” companies.

Her business accomplishments are even more impressive when added to her philanthropic contributions.  In 2002, Carol teamed up with her husband, Mike May, to chair the Aloha United Way annual fundraising campaign.  The first married couple to co-chair the statewide campaign, Mike and Carol created a family theme and recruited other couples to lead fundraising teams.  This unique strategy got more people involved and enabled the campaign to reach its goal of raising $13.2 million.

As a former single parent, Carol is an inspiration to all who struggle to manage work and family responsibilities.  Carol met the challenge of balancing a successful corporate career with the demands of providing for her two sons.  She has been active in her sons’ academic and extracurricular activities throughout their elementary, high school and even college years.

Always one to put her values into action, Carol goes beyond her duties as a board member for numerous organizations, including Assets School and Child and Family Services.  She gives generously of her time, resources and knowledge and provides an excellent example of leadership in every aspect of her life.

City Mill

patti bates

Patti Bates, MSW, LSW, is Chief Operating Officer of Child & Family Service.  Patti joined Child & Family Service (CFS), Hawaii’s oldest and largest non-profit organization, in 1993.  Patti has received numerous promotions over her 15 year tenure with CFS and during the first half of 2006; she stepped in as Acting Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization.  Her current position is Chief Operating Officer.   In this position, she provides direction and leadership in the development, communication and implementation of the organization’s operating policies/procedures and goals. 

Patti received her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Dakota and went on to earn her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver.  In March 2007, Patti was chosen Social Worker of the Year (Family and Child Welfare) by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Patti has served on several community groups including:  Blueprint for Change Policy Board, SCR 128 Task Force, Mayor’s Review Team, SCR 13/45 Task Force, numerous Aloha United Way’s Committees, Kapu Na Keiki and Hawaii Together payment and Contract Sub-Committee.

Child & Family Service

judy bishop

Judy Bishop is owner of Bishop & Company, (formerly known as CTA Staffing), and has been helping Hawaii residents and businesses since 1986.  Judy and her staff are continually striving to provide their applicants and temporary employees with valuable work experience while also sourcing outstanding talent for Hawaii's businesses and organizations. 

Judy has over thirty years of staffing experience. She has managed local, national and international offices on four continents. As a Franchise Owner, Regional Vice- President, Division Vice- President, National Sales Manager, and COO for Operations, she has an extensive background servicing major corporations over a broad spectrum of skill requirements. Judy is responsible for clients' complete satisfaction with the service provided and is fully involved in the day to day operation of Bishop & Company.

Bishop & Company

susan borochov

Susan is recognized as a top producing real estate agent.  She has won multiple awards for her achievements including the prestigious Aloha'Aina Realtor's Award in 2004, the Who's Who in Real Estate's top 100 Realtor's Award in the state of Hawaii, several Totally Outstanding Performance awards and the International President's Elite Award and more. Unparalleled personal service, integrity, negotiating skills and diligence are just some of the reasons which account for her success.
Susan has knowledge and is well trained as a Previews Property Specialist which is a highly experienced and expert team specializing in the luxury residential homes sales, a Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Certified Home Marketing Specialist, Graduate Realtor's Institute Certification, Green Certificate Real Estate Professional and in the process of attaining her Broker's license when time permits. This expansive multifaceted knowledge of real estate benefits the needs of her clientele on all levels. Susan is also a Rotarian and dedicated to various charities. Susan is focused on keeping her clients informed to help make their plans move forward while guiding them to make sound decisions as they embark on their real estate journey.

Her professional affiliations and awards include:  
  •  Accredited Buyer Representative 
  •  Certified Home Marketing Specialist 
  •  Certified Residential Specialist 
  •  Graduate Realtors Institute 
  •  Realtor Associate

Hawaii Luxury Homes

christine camp

LeaderLuncheon Honoree 2005

Christine Camp, President and CEO, Avalon Development Company, LLC, develops industrial parks, shopping centers, single-family subdivisions and multi-family projects.  Her company, Avalon Development, also operates Avalon Commercial and Avalon Realty. Both are brokerages and management companies.  Avalon has about 750,000 sf. under management. 

She is past president of Hawaii Developers' Council, past chair of Urban Land Institute, past chair of Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and headed the Cabinet Selection Committee for Mayor Hanneman's current administration. 

She is currently Chairwoman of the Honolulu Police Commission.  She also sits on the board of Central Pacific Financial, the publicly held holding company for Central Pacific Bank and is its Vice Chair of the Senior Loan Committee.  She has been a developer since 1984 and has been one of the few women who became a senior executive in the real estate development industry that is typically dominated by men.  She is a past marathon runner and is mom to a one-year-old son, Ethan.

Avalon Development Company

bennette evangelista

Bennette Misalucha Evangelista is founder and president of Red Monarch Communications LLC, a consulting company that helps organizations achieve results through a balanced and sustainable approach. Bennette’s diverse management background focuses on five key areas: community engagement, government relations, sustainability principles and practices, corporate and social responsibility, and Filipino issues and marketing. Bennette brings actual working experience to her practice, having worked in the corporate arena for 27 years and held leadership roles for over twenty years, often pioneering roles for women and minorities. She was most recently Vice President and Regional Director for Government and Community Relations for Actus Lend Lease, LLC, a global development company which is the US leader in military housing privatization. Actus continues to be Red Monarch’s premier
client. 

Prior to Actus, Bennette spent almost 17 years in banking,mostly at Central Pacific Bank where she rose to the position of Senior Vice President and Senior Manager - Corporate Banking. Early in her career, she spent seven years in the media world as a reporter, writer and news producer, both locally (KHON Channel 2 News) and in the Philippines.

Bennette is deeply involved in community and nonprofit work. She is the current Board Chair of the Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Chair of the Continuing Education Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii, and a Regent at Chaminade University. She also serves on the board of Oahu Transit Services (TheBus), ‘Olelo Community Television, YMCA, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the Filipino Community Center and the O‘ahu Arts Center.

Bennette’s work has earned her many distinctions, such as recognition as one of four “Women of Distinction” in Banking by the Girl Scouts of Hawaii (2002), United Filipino Community Council “Progress Awards in Banking and Finance” (2002), the “State Mother of the Year” for American Mothers Inc (2007) and one of top “Ten Women Volunteers in Hawai‘i “ by Pacific Business News (2008). She is also an alumnus of the Pacific Century Fellows program, Hawai‘i’s version of the White House Fellows.

chenoa farnsworth

Chenoa Farnsworth, Farnsworth Consulting, has more than 10 years experience in business management and private equity investing.  Farnsworth is the executive director of the Hawaii Angels, Hawai'i's only angel capital investment network.  In 2006, she co-founded Kolohala Ventures, a Hawaii-based venture capital firm that's invested $40 million into Hawai'i-based technology start-ups. Through her independent consulting company, Farnsworth Consulting, she provides strategy development and business planning consultation for start-up companies and small businesses. In her consulting practice, Farnsworth has reviewed hundreds of business plans and helped her start-up clients raise over $30 million in financing.

Prior to forming her consulting practice, she spent five years in health and legislative affairs for the Hawai'i Senate and the American Nurses Association. She has also served the Hawai'i community as a director of the Women's Fund of Hawaii, Hawaii Women's Business Center and as a volunteer coach and judge for the University of Hawai'i business plan competition. Farnsworth earned a BA in political science from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1992 and an executive MBA from the University of Hawaii in 2000.

Farnsworth Consulting

With a decade of experience in human resources, Michele Kauinui is responsible for the HR needs for more than 400 businesses in Hawai’i. As human resources manager at ALTRES HR, she partners with business owners and managers to provide guidance in employment law, employee relations and intervention, disciplinary action, investigations and conflict and dispute resolution. 

In addition to keeping abreast of the ever-changing state and federal employment laws, Kauinui oversees the daily operations of the human resources department statewide. She is instrumental in assisting clients to successfully achieve their business objectives by providing HR solutions.

Kauinui is an active member of the Hawai’i Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is frequently invited to be a guest facilitator for the University of Hawai’i Aloha Chapter of SHRM.

Along with preparing presentations and trainings for client companies, Kauinui also addresses business groups regarding employment issues. Her most recent speaking engagements included the National Foundation of Independent Business (NFIB) Hawai’i Chapter’s “Staying Lean in a Mean Economy” teleconference, the 2008 Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Conference, and the 2007 Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Hawaii Annual Conference.

Prior to joining the ALTRES HR team, Kauinui worked extensively for some of the most prestigious hotels in Hawaii, handling recruitment, benefits, employee relations and safety initiatives. A graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Kauinui earned her Bachelors degree in human resource management and international business and was part of the first graduating cohort in the Masters of Human Resource Management program.

diane kimura

Diane joined Merrill Lynch in 1985 and is currently a Vice President/Wealth Management Advisor with the Global Private Client Group, Pacific Islands Complex in Honolulu, HI.  She manages an estimated 55 client relationships with over $200myn in assets for non-profit organizations, high-net worth family groups, and business owners/executives.   
 
2006, 2007 & 2008:  Named as one of Hawaii's Top 20 Financial Advisors by Hawaii Business Magazine.  Advisors are nominated by their firms and selected by The Winners Circle for national recognition of Advisors who represent the highest levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the industry.  
2008 - pres.:  Catholic Charities Capital Campaign
2006 - pres.:  Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu Steering Committee raising $14myn to rebuild the Honolulu Hospital
2005 - 2007:  Faculty, Chaminade Tax Foundation.

Terri Ann M.K. Motosue is the Managing Partner at the law firm of Carlsmith Ball LLP, Hawaii’s oldest and largest law firm.  She specializes in the areas of real property, international and domestic bank finance, and mergers and acquisitions.

Motosue started her legal career in New York City with White & Case LLP, the eighth largest law firm in the world, and continued with King & Spalding LLP, another large law firm with offices in the U.S. and abroad.  She also has international experience with assignments to White & Case’s Bangkok office and Jones Day Showa in Tokyo.  Her notable professional honors include selection as one of five lawyers nationwide to participate in the American Bar Association Section of Business Law’s Ambassadors Program, and election to the Board of Directors of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Motosue attended Roosevelt High School.  She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science from the University of Hawaii and her juris doctor from Boston University.  Motosue’s academic honors include Phi Beta Kappa; University of Hawaii Presidential Scholar; Edward F. Hennessey Scholar, Paul J. Liacos Scholar and Editor-in-Chief of the Public Interest Law Journal at Boston University’s law school.

In addition to her academic achievements, she has also been involved with a number of local, national and international organizations.  She has worked with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and was also selected to participate in the Afghanistan Transition Commercial Law Project coordinated through the American Bar Association’s Asia Law Initiative.  She also authored an amicus brief for NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund and provided pro bono legal representation resulting in asylum for a Kosovo refugee.  She has also served as a volunteer at the Hawaii Heritage Center in Chinatown and is on the Board of Directors for The Hawaii Theatre.

Motosue returned to Hawaii about five years ago after spending close to ten years on the East Coast.  She was selected as a member of the 2008 class of the Pacific Century Fellows program.  Her free time is spent at aerobics classes, traveling and sailing.

Carlsmith Ball LLP

What kind of impact do you have on others?  Is your personal and professional presence at the level of effectiveness or success you want it to be?  If you have been asking yourself these questions, then you are entering the arena of Penelope’s mission—strategic partnering with clients to maximize their personal and professional presence.

Penelope integrates her experience in organizational and career development, interpersonal/intercultural communications, public speaking, community work and leadership to assist her clients, both men and women, to achieve the results they need in today’s complex and global milieu.

Strategy sessions on business dining and etiquette, professional image, proper fit for body types, public speaking, career development, networking, and interpersonal communications skills are offered on either an individual or group basis.  Women clients can also take advantage of personalized services through the Carlisle Collection, a private line of quality women’s clothing. 

Born and raised in Honolulu, Penelope received a B.Ed. in English Education from the University of Hawaii Manoa, and her MA degree in Speech Communication from the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus, then worked in the Twin Cities for several years. 

Penelope is also active in the community, getting an early start in life as a 4-H member and Y-Teen at the YWCA of Honolulu.  She also served as a Y-Teen club advisor, volunteered on committees for the YWCA, including the Steering Committee for Leader Luncheon, and conducted image workshops for Bungee Boost and Dress for Success.  She’s currently a member of the Honolulu Executives Association, Junior League of Honolulu, and serves on the board for Innovative Concepts, a Christian church which holds services every Sunday at Dave & Buster’s.

To both Cheryl and Mark, Maryl is a great source of pride and love. They believe in working hard, and having fun doing it!

Maryl Group

joann a. seery

Joann A. Seery, MBA is Executive Director/Owner of BNI Hawaii and the Referral Institute.  She is an accomplished dynamic leader with an entrepreneurial spirit committed to helping small-business owners achieve their goals.  BNI Hawaii assists small business professionals by growing their business and developing networking skills through a successful business referral organization. BNI trains and educates members on proven word-of-mouth marketing strategies. BNI Hawaii has grown in membership from 40 members in 2003 to 500 members in 2007 on three islands.  Seery has a proven track record, is an effective communicator, presenter and speaker.

Her professional affiliations and awards include: 
   •  Professional Women’s Network, Past-President Advisor (2007); President (2005); Vice President (2004) 
   •  Hawaii Women’s Business Center Board Member ( 2006); Co-Chair Development Committee (2006);
      President (2007-Current)
   •  2006 Top SBA Technical Assistant Provider for State of Hawaii
   •  2006 SBA Women in Business Champion Honolulu County
   •  2008 SBA Women in Business Champion State of Hawaii

BNI Hawaii

michele miyuki ishimoto vandenburg

Michele Miyuki Ishimoto Vandenburg was born in Hokkaido, Japan to parents Tsumoru and Kay Ishimoto. She traveled extensively as a military dependent until 1966, when her family returned to Hawaii upon her father’s retirement from the Army. It was a difficult transition for Michele during her adolescence, having to learn dedication and  perseverance by working before and after school everyday at the family business, Kewalo Pickle Products. Her days began at 4 a.m. washing and peeling vegetables, and labeling and sealing packages and bottles. She also worked alongside her father and learned the administrative side of the business, which she now credits for her successful career as an executive assistant. After school, she would go back to the shop to get ready for the next day and return to her Palolo home at 11 p.m. each night with her family. Michele’s parents retired after building the 34-year-old family business into one of Hawaii's leading producers of pickled oriental products. 
 
Michele is the mother of Nikolas Clay and Bryan Clay, the 2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medal Decathalon champion. Her sons were reared in Hawaii and immersed in the same Japanese culture, which honors the core values of family, hard work and reciprocity. Michele feels that Bryan’s success is a result of his outstanding character and integrity, and his strong Christian faith and spiritual values, in spite of his early days as a “once delinquent son.” Bryan has taken a strong stand on being drug free and at 5'-11" and 178 lbs, he is considered the "small guy" and a rare athlete among his colleagues; while decathletes typically excel in one or two of required 10 track and field events, Bryan is exceptional across the board.
 
Bryan also created the Bryan Clay Foundation, which provides scholarships for underprivileged students to further their education through academic and athletic pursuits, while developing their physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being.  Michele says, “As a parent, when your child makes that stand and continues to stand there through all the challenges he's met. . . how can you not be proud of that?"
 
Michele currently resides in Mililani with her husband Mike and their shitzus Sushi and Dumplin. Mike, Michele, Nikolas and the family support Bryan’s events and appearances when their schedules allow, and Michele is happiest doting on her grandchildren Jacob and Katherine, and recently learned that Bryan and his wife Sarah are expecting their 3rd child in February.

shelley wilson

Shelley Wilson, founder and president of Wilson Homecare, came to learn about the need for homecare in 1992 when, while on active duty as a medic with the Army National Guard, she was seriously injured in an automobile accident that left her with multiple broken bones and injuries. While in recovery, she realized how beneficial it would have been to have had homecare services.

After moving to Hawaii and reestablishing herself with the Hawaii Army National Guard, Shelley was again inspired by the obvious need for quality, compassionate homecare while working in the healthcare field. As a disabled veteran, Wilson was able to identify with the challenges patients faced during recovery or uncertain times surrounding their condition or illness. In 1996, while in the Reserves, Shelley utilized the leadership skills proven during her military training to establish Wilson Homecare (WHC). Since that time, she has created a phenomenal team of highly competent and compassionate caregivers who are able to provide clients with premium home healthcare services. With more than 200 employees providing personal home healthcare services in residences across Oahu, Shelley has guided Wilson Homecare’s growth into one of the State’s most successful private homecare agencies. WHC holds Hawaii State licensing and has gone the extra mile to achieve Joint Commission Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

The story of Shelley and WHC is one of resilience, can-do, entrepreneurial spirit and service to our community. Since establishing the company, Shelley’s management skills have earned her a number of awards, including Pacific Business News’ “40 Under Forty” where she received a commendation from Governor Lingle for her achievements. Wilson Homecare has been named three times as one of the “Fastest 50” companies, most recently on August 9, 2007. In 2004, Wilson Homecare was awarded one of the top 25 business success stories by Pat Summerall. The honor was published in Forbes magazine. In 2006, 2007, and 2008 Shelley was among a select group of women recognized by PBN as “Women Who Mean Business” for the businesswoman of the year award and the top 25 women-owned businesses in Hawaii. In 2009 Shelley was recognized as the Small Business Administration “Business Leader of the Year” for the City and County of Honolulu.

Shelley is also active in the business community, serving as the incoming chair for The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and is the chair of its Small Business Committee and former chair of the Health Issues Committee; she is a board member with the Institute for Human Services and Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health; she is a member of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and serves on the advisory panel for homecare; she was the 2007 president of the Organization of Women Leaders and is a board member at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Shelley is also a member of the National Association of Private Duty Home Care, National Private Duty Association, National Association of Female Executives, and holds membership with the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii.

Between devoting the majority of her time to her business and community organizations, Wilson also provides international support to aid underprivileged children. She traveled to Africa with Rotary International to help vaccinate children for polio eradication in 2004 and spent one month in Vietnam with the “Kids Without Borders” humanitarian group in 2005. Shelley has touched the lives of countless individuals, from needy children in foreign countries to local families here in Hawaii. 

Wilson Home Care

cynthia yamasaki

Cynthia M. Yamasaki, Vice President, Training Department for First Hawaiian Bank is also a Professional Coach and Certified Wellness Counselor with CMY Consulting LLC.  Cynthia has over 25 years of experience in management, customer service, operations, and administration with global corporations and local Hawai‘i companies. Her areas of expertise include human resources, leadership and organizational development, change management, strategic planning, and finance. She travels internationally and has a diverse perspective to “think global and act local.”

Cynthia’s educational background includes a Masters in Global Management, a Bachelors of Administration in Finance; and certifications in Wellness Counseling at the Hawai‘i Wellness Institute, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Quality at GE Capital, and Triple C Training at Sprint. Cynthia is a graduate of Leadership Works by Glenn Furuya, Women Leading Change by the Institute for Women’s Leadership, The Elan Academy by D. Trinidad Hunt, and Unlimited Reiki System by Alice Anne Parker.

As a working business executive and mother of 2 active teenagers, Cynthia has first hand experience on balancing her family and career. She has a quest for harmonic excellence, continuous improvement, and effective leadership at all levels for the sake of creating collaborative community and sustainable future for our children. Her passion is to perpetuate positive thoughts and energy by helping people achieve their goals and aspirations. Cynthia believes that success begins with taking care of yourself first so that you can be at your best to serve others.

As your confidant and coach, Cynthia provides you with practical tools, listens to and challenges your ideas, and supports you so that you can accomplish your goals and make a difference in your life as well as the lives of others.

CMY Consulting LLC

Wahine in Hawaii Business Network