Meet Colby Takeda, MBA ’16, CEO and cofounder of Pear Suite, an AI-enabled healthcare company supporting community health workers, doulas and community-based organizations. He oversees operations, marketing, sales, health plan partnerships and national expansion efforts.

Prior to his current position, Takeda worked at Blue Zones Project and The Plaza Assisted Living. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Shidler College, as well as a master’s degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley, and his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University. Takeda resides in Honolulu.

Kaya Ishimine, BBA ’24, has been on a career fast track since she was a student at Shidler College. She began working at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii while completing her undergraduate studies in marketing and management. After graduating, she was promoted to manager of marketing and of the Young Professionals (YP) Program, later rising to associate executive director. In July, just two years after graduation, Ishimine stepped into the role of executive director of the program she was first drawn to for the opportunity to learn from high-achieving young adults.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business hosted its 34th Hall of Honor Awards on Oct. 8 at the Sheraton Waikiki. The event celebrated distinguished business professionals who exemplify excellence in their fields while raising funds to support the college. This year’s celebration brought together more than 400 guests to recognize the 2026 cohort and raised more than $400,000 thanks to the generosity of local businesses and the community.

Isaiah Nichols-Floyd, MBA ’25, dreamed of Japan long before arriving in Honolulu to pursue his Global MBA at Shidler College. He was first exposed to Japanese culture as a child through video games, anime and film. As his interest grew, he decided to study Japanese in high school. Years later, he earned his undergraduate degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and began a career as an analyst for a software company with an office in Japan. Around the same time, he began seriously researching ways he could live and work in Japan, turning his longtime interest into a professional goal. After exploring graduate school options, he landed on Shidler College’s Global MBA because of its Japan Track.

For Brandy Shimabukuro, BBA ’07, even the best-planned day can change in a minute. She may begin her morning focused on social media strategy, media relations or executive communications, only to shift gears when a cruelty case, emergency response or sudden influx of animals takes precedence. In those moments, her work becomes more than messaging. It becomes a way to build trust, inspire action and help animals across Oʻahu find care, safety and, ideally, a loving home.

Hundreds of alumni representing every Vietnam Executive MBA (VEMBA) cohort, from the inaugural Class 1 to the current Class 33, joined faculty, university leaders and distinguished guests at the Meliá Hanoi Hotel on July 8; and The Reverie Saigon on July 11 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business’ VEMBA program. Since its founding in 2001, VEMBA has graduated more than 1,000 business leaders who now serve in executive roles across Vietnam and beyond.