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Alana Eagle

Alana Eagle is a media consultant from Maunalua, Oahu and brings years

of experience in events and engagement, nonprofit news, film and TV

production and creative media to support her clients. In 2023 she

founded DABL (Design A Beautiful Life), an alcohol-aware community

that hosts events and workshops because she believes that by

prioritizing our healing and intentionally designing our lives,

we can support our communities, friends and families in doing the

same. She holds a B.A. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in

Sustainability Awareness and Visual Media, a major she designed by

combining her passion for filmmaking and science.

Carolyn Auweloa

I am the wife of Haia Auweloa and proud parent of a blended family of six children. I am born and raised in Lahaina but north and east Hawaii has been home for the past 27 years. I have worked as a conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for the past 22 years, and am the current State Rangeland Management Specialist for the Pacific Islands Area. I am passionate about 'āina, ecology and agriculture, especially the kula lands and regenerative grazing management practices. I recently organized and hosted the inaugural Hawaii Range Camp - a week-long educational camp for high school students that provided

an immersive, hands-on experience in the many different STEM

disciplines that interact on rangelands. I am a founding

member and current VP/Secretary of the Lahaina Community

Land Trust whose mission is to keep Lahaina Lands in Lahaina

Hands and out of the hands of profit-driven investors. For the

past four years, I have served as Secretary of Na Maka Onaona,

a non-profit that seeks to cultivate and support ʻĀina Mōmona,

thriving communities of people and place.

My vision for the future of Hawaii is to see our kaiaulu to continue to grow in connecting, empowerment and self-determination as we engage with and support each other and processes that create a sustainable, livable, prosperous Hawaii while protecting, restoring and caring for its ‘āina and ea. I enjoy making time to talk about God, garden, work with livestock, read, walk or hike and spend time with my family, preferably engaging with ʻāina.

Leonani Puailihau

Leonani Puailihau is Turo's Senior Community Relations Manager and a respected leader and advocate for her community on O'ahu's west side. She has a deep

connection to her ʻāina and people and has dedicated herself to

supporting economic growth, community development, and the

advocacy of Hawaiian culture. Leonani has organized and participated

in various community initiatives and works hard to raise awareness

about important issues affecting her community.

Leonani has held roles as an educator and program administrator,

served as a leader in community relations for different organizations

and held board positions on establishments such as Pūnana Leo o Waiʻanae,

Ka Waihona School Board and Kapolei Community Development Corporation. Throughout her career, Leonani has always been driven by her passion for her people and culture, leading with her naʻau in all that she does

Raquel Kealalōkahi Aki

Ms. Raquel Kealalōkahi Aki currently serves as the Corporate Secretary for the East-West Center’s Board of Governors bringing over 15 years of administrative and operational experience in the community, non-profit, and government sectors to this role. Prior to the East-West Center, Ms. Aki has worked for Kamehameha Schools and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationʻs Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

Ms. Aki is also a native Hawaiian, wahine business owner of the The

Vth Element Hawaiʻi, an online retailer promoting the well being

of women and girls, and Accelerating Kuleana Initiatives (AKI), LLC,

which provides tailored consultation services to other like-minded

wāhine entrepreneurs.

In the community, Ms. Aki is a member of the Board of Directors for

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, Inc., and volunteers

her time as part of the Wāhine Koa Collective, Sacred Hearts Academy

Parent Board, and Hālau Hula ‘O Hokulani.

Nalani Kaku

Nalani Kaku is a Native Hawaiian professional who aspires to contribute positively to local communities and environmental initiatives. Graduating from Kamehameha Schools in 2014 provided her with a solid foundation in excellence and service. She continued her education at the University of Hawaii West Oahu, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing in 2017.

Nalani's dedication to driving positive change extends beyond her professional endeavors. With a humble appreciation for her Hawaiian heritage, she aims to bridge modern opportunities with everlasting Hawaiian traditions and values. With an earnest approach and steadfast commitment, she aspires to humbly shape the professional landscape and foster a harmonious integration of tradition and progress in the pursuit of a sustainable future for Hawaii and beyond.

Since entering the professional arena, Nalani has had the opportunity to make meaningful contributions across various sectors, ranging from local businesses to startups and educational institutions. However, her deepest passion lies in environmental sustainability and community empowerment, leading her to join Kupu, a respected conservation non-profit. Currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the COO, Nalani focuses on operational tasks, striving to streamline processes and enhance efficiency within the organization.

Sabrina Kehau Golis

Sabrina Kehau Golis was born to Fernando and Rose Mary Golis on the island of Maui. Kehau grew up in the rural town of Haiku, Maui. She is the eldest of four and enjoys a close relationship with her two sisters and brother. She has a large extended family and grew up with 51 first cousins that taught her the social emotional skills she needed to build and maintain meaningful relationships. Once she graduated from Maui High School,

she attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she spent a f

ew years testing out different majors. She stumbled on a Family

Resources class and found the “right fit.” She graduated with a

bachelor’s degree in Family Resources to help support families in

Hawaii. Kehau relishes her role as aunty to many keiki.

Sabrina Kehau has worked in the non-profit sector for over 28 years

providing direct services to families through home visiting and early

education. She is dedicated to helping young children, families and staff

build solid relationships and reach their full potential. Kehau currently works

at Parents And Children Together the Early Head Start and Head Start programs as an Assistant Director. She attains satisfaction in helping train, teach, coach and support staff to provide high quality supportive services to families of young children. In her free time, Kehau enjoys going to the beach with her ohana, reading and traveling.

Kayla Economou

Kayla Economou is from Kahuku, Hawai‘i with roots in Samoa. She works at the intersection of climate policy and technology and she is passionate about navigating equitable transitions to renewable energy.

Kayla cut her teeth in international climate diplomacy as a lead coordinator at UNFCCC COP conferences, where she provided technical assistance on capacity building and technology to climate-vulnerable countries in the Pacific, and drafted National Adaptation

Plans for Small Island Developing States, a key mechanism for

accessing climate finance for frontline communities. Kayla currently

works at Elemental Excelerator, where she supports a growing

portfolio of 150+ climate tech companies with targeted

programming and business development. She spearheads

services for traditionally excluded entrepreneurs and facilitates

the delivery of Equity In curriculum to help companies foster

equitable practices in their cultures, products, and deployments.

Previously, she worked to expand energy access in sub-Saharan

Africa, conducted legislative research on marine protections and nature-based solutions at the Hawaii State Senate, and supported the development of marine energy technologies at the Department of Energy.

She dedicates her life’s work to ensuring Pacific Islanders can continue to live and thrive on the islands their ancestors have called home for generations. Kayla holds a Masters in Sustainability Science and Practice and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Political Science from Stanford University.

Michaellyn Burke

Born on Maui and raised in a home dedicated to Hawaiian values and service, Mikey Burke is a conduit for caring and community. Acceptance to Kamehameha Schools took her from the māmā reef in Olowalu to the slopes of Kapālama, where her love for her people and sense of place grew deeper. Leaving the comfort of Hawai’i’s shores, Mikey pursued a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Southern California, while excelling as

a Division I athlete on the Trojanʻs Women’s Rowing team. The birth

of her oldest son fueled her desire to return home to Maui, where

she would transition from a career in public accounting to one in

public utilities.

Mikey and her ‘ohana settled back in Lahaina, where she and her

husband are raising four young Hawaiian boys, educated in Ke

Kula Kaiapuni o Lahaina. She’s spent over a decade advocating for

her community, answering the kahea from respected Lahaina-rooted

leaders to protect Lahaina’s natural resources – both cultural and

physical. Mikey serves on various professional and community-oriented boards. Her most recent appointment as president to the newly formed Lahaina Community Land Trust is the most significant kuleana she carries outside of being a makuahine. Mikey carries with her a profound respect for her roots and an unwavering determination to ensure that future generations continue to call Lahaina home.

Kellen Sasano

Kellen Sasano is the Senior Human Resources Generalist for the East-West Center where he manages all aspects of HR operations including talent acquisition, benefits administration, and employee engagement. His continued efforts to optimize organizational performance through effective HR strategies and programs has strengthened the Center’s mission to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Kellen graduated from Kaiser High School and holds HR certifications from the Society of Human Resources Management and the HR Certification Institute. He previously served on the board for Aloha United Way’s Society of Young Leaders.

A certified professional with over 20 years of work experience, Kellen's approach to HR is characterized by a deep understanding of the human element within the workplace. He excels in building strong relationships with employees at all levels, fostering a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. Kellen’s expertise also extends to crafting and implementing policies and procedures that align with both legal requirements and company objectives, ensuring smooth operations and compliance.

Piʻikea Kalakau-Baarde

Piʻikea Kalakau-Baarde is from Waimānalo, Oʻahu, and has been working in the education sector in Hawaiʻi for almost a decade. She started her career in education

as an English teacher at Waiʻanae Intermediate, and she believes that

her experience as a classroom teacher has been the basis for all her

subsequent achievements. Piʻikea holds a Bachelor’s degree in

English from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, a Master of Science in

Education from Johns Hopkins University, and she will complete her

Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Chaminade University

in May 2024. Piʻikea is a Teach for America Hawaiʻi 2015 alumna, and

in 2023, she joined the TFA Hawaiʻi staff to continue serving public

school students in Hawaiʻi by supporting their future teachers. In her spare

time, Piʻikea can be found spending time with her family, going to the beach, and supporting youth sports.

Shannon De Leon

Shannon is a dedicated Strategic Account Manager at ProService Hawai'i, leveraging her unique journey and expertise to empower employers to thrive in the dynamic business environment of Hawai'i. With a focus on relationship-based, consultative human resource strategies, Shannon excels in guiding employers towards compliance, cost management, and the cultivation of a diverse and talented workforce.

Shannon's path to success is a testament to resilience and determination. As a high school dropout and teen parent, she faced formidable challenges early in life. However, fueled by a relentless drive to create a better future for herself and her family, Shannon embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.

Her pursuit of education took her to Honolulu Community College,

where she earned her Associate in Hawaiian Studies in 2016, laying

a foundation for her passion for indigenous knowledge and culture.

Shannon then pursued her Bachelor's degree in History at the

University of Hawaii at Manoa, becoming a first generation graduate

and graduating summa cum laude in 2023.

In her role at ProService Hawai'i, Shannon is committed to leveraging

her diverse experiences to uplift and empower Hawai'i's business community.

Beyond her work, she remains deeply connected to her community, and throughout her career has found ways to uplift and empower the next generation. During her time in branch management at American Savings Bank, she taught financial literacy and entrepreneurship to youth at local organizations such as Kupu and Junior Achievement of Hawaii. You can often find her in the lo'i as a way to connect to the land and her heritage.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Shannon enjoys traveling, reading, and cherishing moments with her children, alongside her two lab puppies.

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Fuse traditional and Western knowledge

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Community-Centric Leadership

Learn to re-center, implement, and sustain impactful projects with community in mind while optimizing leadership success measures using community wealth and ʻāina abundance as your guide.