Yosef Ben Gershom

EMBA '22

Operations Manager/Engineer, Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory, UH Mānoa

Yosef Ben Gershom is an Operations Manager and Engineer at the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research and education center developing satellites and space missions at UH Mānoa, and an affiliate faculty with the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology. He manages the operations of the lab, conducts integration and testing activities for spacecraft and payloads, performs project management and engineering, and trains and mentors students. He was part of the team that developed Neutron-1, Hawaiʻi’s first satellite to successfully make contact from Earth orbit.

He is passionate about developing aerospace related opportunities for locals in Hawaiʻi, and strives towards this goal through his workforce and infrastructure development efforts, and expanding his network of strategic partnerships in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Ben Gershom joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2023. Raised on Maui, he is a graduate of Kihei Charter High School. He earned his Executive Master of Business Administration from the Shidler College of Business and his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at UH Mānoa, and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

Nina Buenconsejo

BS '07, MBA '14

Project Portfolio Manager, Kamehameha Schools

Nina Buenconsejo is a Portfolio Project Manager at Kamehameha Schools, Office of Advancement. In her role, Nina oversees various projects for the Advancement team and serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, working collaboratively across the enterprise to align with the organization’s strategic plan.

Prior to Kamehameha, Nina spent over 21 years at Hawaiian Airlines in various roles from Operations to Finance to Commercial. She retired from Hawaiian Airlines as the Senior Manager of Hawaii Sales.

Nina received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management in 2007 and later went back to complete the MBA program at the Shidler College of Business in 2014. In her free time, Nina enjoys using her retiree travel benefits, running, and watching her two boys play sports.

Brandon Chu

BS '08

General Manager, Kelley Family of Companies

Brandon Chu is the General Manager for the Kelley Family of Companies, which include several subsidiary companies- Aqualani Beach & Pool Recreation Management, The Spa at Black Rock, Ka'anapali Surf Club and Teralani Catamarans. Brandon's responsibilities include oversight of the company operation at 9 different Maui locations with a team of over 200 employees.

A Maui native and graduate from UH Manoa's School of Travel Industry Management, Brandon has over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience. Prior to his current role he spent 15 years with the Four Seasons Hotel group traveling the world with appointments in Beverly Hills, Singapore, and then back to Maui in 2019. After 3 years as the Director of Rooms at the Four Seasons Maui, Brandon joined the Proper Hotel group as General Manager for a 15 room boutique hotel, restaurant, and ocean front wedding/event venue. Brandon prides himself on providing exceptional guest service, innovative thinking, meaningful cultural experiences for guests, and supporting the development of his teams.

In his spare time you can find him on the golf course, playing pickleball, and enjoying time with friends and family.

John Doyle

EMBA '17

Senior Vice President of Cloud Operations & Security, Accelya Group

John Doyle is the director of information security at Array, a remote-first high growth fintech venture capital startup working to modernize digital banking offerings by democratizing access to credit and identity protection tools. Previously, he was a special advisor to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J2 & J6 directors working to reduce cyber risks in the Asia-Pacific theater and also served as technical director for the Department of Defense. Prior to his career as a public servant in the federal government, Doyle led technology services and IT operations at Farelogix Inc., another venture capital startup in the travel industry with global operations spanning across 65 countries. He also worked for several of the leading defense contractors, including Referentia Systems Inc., an O‘ahu-based technology company, Northrop Grumman, SAIC and CSC.

He joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2017. Although he is a graduate of the DoDDS school system and grew up as a military brat in various locations across Korea, Japan and the U.S. mainland, he considers Hawai’i his home. He is an alumnus of the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa, where he earned his Executive Master of Business Administration degree and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He was also a Freeman Fellowship recipient.

Doyle is also an alumnus of the University of Miami, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science. Additionally, he is an alumnus of Columbia University, where he earned a certificate in business excellence from Columbia Business School in New York.

Charles Goodin

BBA '07

Principal, N&K CPAs Inc.

Charles Goodin is a Principal at N&K CPAs, Inc. in the Assurance Services division. He is the Principal in charge of recruiting for the firm and plays a crucial role in the development of staff through mentoring and coaching programs. Charles has been in Public Accounting for over 16 years and has been with N&K for over 14 years.

Charles joined the Shilder Alumni Association board in 2024. He is also a member of the Shidler College of Business School of Accountancy Advisory Board and serves as the Treasurer and Audit Committee Chair for the Arc of Kona.

Charles was born and raised in Honolulu. He graduated from Moanalua High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Shidler College of Business at UH Manoa.

Teresa Hamabata

BBA '11

Assistant Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer, American Savings Bank

Teresa Hamabata is vice president and commercial banking officer at American Savings Bank. She manages the bank’s commercial banking relationships and fulfills the customer’s banking needs such as financing, deposit accounts and cash management services.

She joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2018. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hamabata graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy. She later received her bachelor’s degree in finance from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with family and eating at new restaurants.

Jodi Hashimoto

EMBA '00

Partner, SH Consulting LLC

Jodi Hashimoto is a partner with SH Consulting LLC, a management consulting firm based in Honolulu. Her main focus is health care, where she assists clients with performance improvement, corporate compliance and system implementation projects.

She joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2000 and initially served as treasurer for five years. She is also the past president of the Hawai‘i chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Born in Honolulu, Hashimoto graduated from Punahou School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California at Berkeley. She received her Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Shelli Ihori

BBA '06, MHRM '07

Director of Workforce Development, Hawaii Pacific Health

Shelli Ihori is the director of workforce development at Hawai‘i Pacific Health, one of the state’s largest health care organizations. Her experience in human resources includes benefits, talent acquisition, organizational development, regulatory compliance and workforce development.

As an innovator in her field of workforce development, Ihori’s scope of work involves partnering with educational institutions and the community at large to increase awareness of health care occupations at the fundamental level. With these partnerships, she continues to pave the pathway of success in collaboration focused on workforce needs for health care and mentoring young professionals in human resources.

She earned her bachelor’s of business administration degree in human resource management, international business and management and a Master of Human Resources Management degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Miki Ikeda

BBA '05

Vice President and Renewable Energy Sector Manager, Bank of Hawaii

Miki Ikeda is the renewable energy sector manager at Bank of Hawaii. The bank’s Renewable Energy Sector was just recently established in 2021 and Miki manages the bank’s commercial lending, leasing and tax equity investment efforts in the Hawai‘i renewable energy industry. Miki has worked at Bank of Hawaii for 16 years in various areas such as Corporate Banking, Pearlridge Commercial Banking Center, Commercial Credit Group and Commercial Real Estate.

Ikeda joined the Shidler Alumni Association in 2022. Born and raised on Maui, she graduated from King Kekaulike High School. She then attended Shidler College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing.

Masato Itoh

MBA '15

Senior Leasing Representative - Leasing, Brookfield Properties

Masa Itoh is senior leasing representative at Brookfield Properties. Previously, he was an associate at Colliers International where he specialized in all aspects of commercial leasing and investment for O‘ahu shopping centers and restaurants. Prior to joining Colliers, Masa served active duty in the Marines and is a major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Itoh received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from San Diego State University, and a Master of Business Administration (full time) from the Shidler College of Business where he was elected president of the Graduate Business Student Association and was inducted in the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

He joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2016. He is also an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the Hawai‘i chapter of Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Kara Kim

BBA '03, MHRM '13

Senior Vice Preisdent, Kumabe HR

Kara Kim is the senior vice president of Kumabe HR, overseeing the staffing division and internal operations. With more than 15 years of experience in human resources, including talent acquisition, staffing, employee relations and training and development, she is an effective leader and great resource for her client companies and employees. Kim ensures that Kumabe HR's clients receive the highest quality of services so that they can identify and attain top level talent for their organization's success.

Kim joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2018 and served as secretary from 2018-2023.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Kim is a graduate of Hawaii Baptist Academy. She received her bachelor's degree in human resource management and a Master of Human Resource Management degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Jeff Lau

Senior Partner, Ogawa, Lau, Nakamura & Jew Attorneys at Law

Jeff Lau is senior partner and treasurer of Ogawa, Lau, Nakamura & Jew, Attorneys at Law, ALC, where he is also a past president. His practice areas include commercial litigation, real property, insurance defense, collection, estate planning and probate.

Lau’s other interests involve international affairs. He is an honorary consul to Belgium in Honolulu and traveled to the Vatican to meet the Pope and the King and Queen of Belgium for the Father Damien Sainthood Canonization. He has coached WWII U.S. & Japanese veterans softball in Hiroshima before Japan’s prime minister. He also traveled to Asia with former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, former Governor Linda Lingle, former UH President David McClain and former Mayor Peter Carlisle. He enjoys leading the Chinese Chamber’s Narcissus tour. He is presently the Sister City Liaison for Honolulu for Qinhuangdao, Hebei and Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

He is one of the only Shidler Alumni Association board members that is not a graduate of the college and enjoys sharing his experiences from earning his bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Lehigh University and his Master of Business Administration degree in finance from Fox School of Management and Business from Temple University. He has been on the Shidler Alumni Association board since 2002. He is the son of Daniel B.T. Lau ’41, who is a  UHAA board member, Shidler Hall of Honor ’01 inductee, UH Alumni Award ‘02 recipient and UH Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award ’09 recipient. He shares his father’s interest in supporting Shidler scholarship programs.

Lau is immediate past president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and remains legal advisor to the Narcissus Festival and chair of international relations. Other activities include serving as a director for Finance Enterprises and director, assistant secretary and audit committee member for Finance Factors, Ltd. He also serves on the executive committee of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation as secretary, on the University of California Hastings Law Foundation as chair of audit committee and as president of the Lehigh University Alumni Club of Hawaii where he received the Lehigh Alumni Award ’10 and remains on the board of the Hawaii Youth Soccer .

Lau and his wife, Susan, are avid UH sports fans and supporters holding season tickets for baseball, football, basketball and volleyball for many decades. Their son, Daniel, is currently studying and working in Beijing, China.

Rene Layne

BBA '07

Credit Administration Manager, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

Born in 29 Palms, California, to a military family and a father from Panama and a mother from Okinawa, Japan, Rene Layne spent his childhood exploring new cities and countries. The exposure to different customs and surroundings has given him a deep appreciation for history and culture, which he still carries today.

His first experience in Hawai‘i was in Kailua in his preschool days. He fondly remembers his first taste of kalua pork in the wet Aikahi Elementary School grass on May Day. Layne spent three years in Hawai‘i, only to return in high school after spending time in Kentucky, New York and Japan.

After returning to Hawai‘i, he attended Kalaheo High School where he continued his appreciation for Hawaiian cuisine, including kalua pork. After Kalaheo, he attended Leeward Community College then moved on to the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing.

After graduation, he joined Bank of Hawaii as a sales officer. During his 11 years at Bank of Hawaii, he worked in various capacities, including management trainee, branch management and administration.

Layne left Bank of Hawaii in 2017 to join Hawaii State Federal Credit Union as the credit reporting and data analytics department manager. In 2020, he expanded his role to credit administration manager.

Outside of work, Layne, alongside his wife, Mao Layne, enjoy traveling and soaking up new cultures. They also frequent her hometown in Saitama, Japan to have a good glass of sake from time to time.

Evan Leong

EMBA '05

Chief Executive Officer, Brain Gain Hawaii

Evan Leong is a successful Hawaii-born social entrepreneur, community leader and lifelong connector. In 2019, he founded Brain Gain Hawaii, an executive search and consulting firm focused on helping good people move forward. Leong has guided and provided mentorship for young leaders to the C-Suite, as well as helped to foster people's career ascensions.

Previously, he cofounded EK Ventures in 2001, which houses Brain Gain Hawaii, a boutique executive recruitment and consulting firm; Bubble Tea Supply, a global manufacturer and distributor; Greater Good Inc, an omnichannel social entrepreneurship media company; StandUpPaddleSurf.net,  the #2 online site for stand-up paddling; and community initiatives like kokua.org and ADUPHawaii.com.

He attended Punahou School and graduated Cum Laude from Hawaii Pacific University, where he was the first recipient of the distinguished certificate of business excellence. In 2005, he obtained his Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at at UH Mānoa. He is also a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.

In 2006, Leong was recognized as a Pacific Business News “40 Under 40” business professional and was a Pacific Century fellow. He was also selected as one of Hawai‘i’s “2006 Top High Tech Leaders” on behalf of the Pacific Technology Foundation and the Technology News Network.

Christoper Letoto

EMBA '09

Senior Manager - EUTF Program & New Sales, HMSA

Chris Letoto is a manager at HMSA, focusing on their HMO health plan and hospital negotiations as well as newly evolving healthcare quality initiatives like the Patient Centered Medical Home. His health care career began more than 15 years ago, working at Virginia Mason and Hawai‘i Pacific Health.

Letoto joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2009. He is also a board member for the Aloha Medical Mission, and a committee member for Aloha United Way’s Crime & Drug Impact Council.

Born in Honolulu, he graduated from Kamehameha Schools and then attended Seattle University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance. After nearly 10 years in Washington state, he returned home and graduated from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa, earning his Executive Master of Business Administration degree in 2009 and a Pacific Asian Management Institute certification in international management.

In his spare time, Letoto enjoys traveling with his wife, Leslie, as well as golfing, hiking, wine tasting, barbecues, attending UH sports events and anything that allows him to spend more time with family and friends.

Jerry Linville

MBA '96

Foodservice & Military Contracts Manager, Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii

Jerry Linville is sales manager for Meadow Gold Dairies, where he oversees sales and marketing initiatives, logistics and contracting for military and food service distribution channels. Prior to joining Meadow Gold Dairies, he served as executive director of Hawaii Marketing Alliance, a non-profit where he worked to develop the Hawaii Seal of Quality branding program to promote locally grown and manufactured products.

Linville joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2001, serving as president for two separate terms, totaling four years. He also serves on the board of directors for the University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association and as vice president of the American Logistics Association. He earned his bacehlor’s degree from the University of Michigan and Master of Business Administration from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Linville has lived in Hawai‘i for more than 20 years. He is married to Deborah Sharkey and they have two children, Ian and Holden. He is also a volunteer with AYSO soccer and Boy Scouts of America Pack 101, where his children participate.

Cherie Martyn

EMBA '02

Treasurer

Vice President and Senior Facilities Manager, Central Pacific Bank

Cherie Martyn is vice president and senior facilities manager at Central Pacific Bank. She has more than 18 years of combined experience in marketing, commercial/facility management and leasing, with a focus on retail shopping centers and medical office buildings. Prior to joining the bank, Cherie was the general manager for Adventist Health Castle, Town Center of Mililani, Waikele Premium Outlets and the director of marketing at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Cherie recently joined the Shidler Alumni Association board. She actively volunteers within the local community where she has been a judge for the University of Hawai‘i’s Business Plan Competition and a mentor for the 3rd Annual High School Marketing Plan and Competition.

Born and raised on Oahu, Cherie graduated from Hawai‘i Baptist Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and communications from the University of Washington and her Executive MBA from Shidler College, where she was inducted into the Betta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

In her free time, she enjoys hitting a white ball around for 18 holes, returning a yellow ball on a green court and traveling with her two children.

Heather Miyasato

BBA '07, EMBA '22

Vice President - Health Finance, HMSA

Heather Miyasato is vice president of health finance at HMSA. Prior to joining HMSA, Heather was the assistant vice president of administrative services for ‘Ekahi Health System.

She joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2007 and served as president from 2017-2019. Born and raised in Honolulu, Miyasato graduated from Kalani High School. She is an alumna of the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and Distance Learning Executive Masters of Business Administration. During her time as an undergraduate, she was a Regent Scholar and was actively involved with several on-campus organizations, including the Inter-Business Council, the Business Executive Society of Tomorrow and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, serving a term as president for each.

Grant Nakama

BBA '05, MBA '11

Senior Vice President of Operations, Mahi Pono

Grant Nakama is vice president of operations at Mahi Pono, a Maui-based farming company that owns and operates approximately 41,000 acres of agricultural land in Central Maui. He is primarily responsible for the oversight of Mahi Pono’s business functions, which include real estate management, contract administration, marketing and government relations.

In addition to serving on the Shidler Alumni Board, Nakama is a board member for the Maui High School Alumni Association and Nisei Veterans Memorial Center.

He was born and raised in Wailuku on the island of Maui. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and business management and Master of Business Administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Cory Nakamura

BBA '04

Co-Founder/Managing Member, Mosaic Pacific Investment Advisors

Cory Nakamura earned his bachelor’s degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa. He provides investment management guidance in daily operations and is the owner and managing member of Mosaic Pacific Investment Advisors LLC. He also provides financial planning to firm clients. Previously, he served as investment committee chair and wealth manager at Lee Financial Group.

Nakamura also co-managed the First Pacific Low Volatility Fund (ticker: LOVIX). He joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2004 and has served as the organization’s past president. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association, CFA Hawaii and the Outrigger Canoe Club. Nakamura is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Sandy Narvaez

BBA '06

Market Director - Leisure, Hawaii & French Polynesia, Marriott International

Sandy Narvaez is the market director, leisure sales, Hawai‘i & French Polynesia at Marriott International. Narvaez brings over 16-years of travel and hospitality experience to this expanded role, where she will oversee and lead leisure segment strategies for Marriott Hotels and Resorts in the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia. Having previously served as the Director of Sales and Marketing of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach since the property’s full completion in 2018, Narvaez has substantial experience leading strategic global sales and marketing efforts and overseeing successful leisure sales programs.

Born and raised in Mililani, she graduated from Mililani High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa. She was recognized by Pacific Edge Magazine as an esteemed hospitality leader and is a previous recipient of the Meeting Professional International-Aloha Chapter’s Rising Star Award. Narvaez enjoys spending time with her three children, traveling and staying active.

Erin Roh

EMBA '21

Erin Roh currently serves as the J2 Executive Director Engagements Lead for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing U.S. national security objectives and safeguarding national interests. In her previous role as a Communications and Community Associate at Ulupono Initiative, Erin managed strategic planning and implementation efforts for the organization.

Before her tenure at Ulupono Initiative, Erin gained extensive experience as a broadcast producer with Hawaiian Electric, PBS Hawaii, MNET America, and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea in Seoul. Her diverse background underscores her expertise in media and communications.

Erin holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Shidler College of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in broadcast and a minor in international relations from Boston University’s College of Communication. She has lived abroad in Oxford, Shanghai, and Seoul, and has also offered her expertise as a consultant to various non-profits.

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Kimmie Straube

EMBA '21

Director of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation/Chief, G9, IMCOM-Pacific

Kimmie Straube is the chief, G9 – director of family and morale, welfare and recreation for the U.S. Army. Prior to her career in federal service, she worked for several property management companies and was an auditor at KPMG LLP.

Straube joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2021. Born and raised in Honolulu, she is a graduate of Punahou School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Southern California and is a certified public accountant. She earned her Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. She was a fellow of the Honolulu-Pacific Federal Executive Board Pacific Leadership Academy Program and continues to serve as a mentor to senior leaders.

Scott Taber

BBA '15

Vice President - Commercial Real Estate Loan Division, Bank of Hawaii

Scott Taber is a vice president in the Commercial Real Estate Lending Division at Bank of Hawaii, where he underwrites new commercial real estate transactions and manages the risk of a commercial real estate loan portfolio of both local and national customers. Prior to that, he was a portfolio management officer in the bank’s Corporate Banking Division.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Scott is a graduate of Punahou School and UH Mānoa, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and international business, as well as a BA in Economics. He is currently pursuing a JD at the William S. Richardson School of Law on a part-time basis. He is a recognized CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Hawaii.

Scott also serves on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Young Professionals Program, the Urban Land Institute’s Young Professionals Program, and NAIOP's Developing Leaders.

Toby Tamaye

BBA '95

President, AT Marketing LLC

Toby Tamaye is president of AT Marketing, a Hawai‘i-based firm experienced in advertising, public relations, event marketing and social-media marketing for Hawai‘i residents and its tourism markets. He also develops a variety of events from evening business mixers to major street block parties. He is a 2009 Pacific Business News “40 Under 40” business professional. Tamaye is a sophisticated user of social networking and is ranked in the top 25 in the world as the most influential public relations and travel consultants on Twitter.

He joined the Shidler Alumni Association in 2009. Tamaye earned his bachelor’s degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.

Ryan Trujillo

MBA '17

Director of Marketing, Servco Pacific Inc.

Ryan Trujillo is the director of marketing for Servco Pacific Inc., one of the largest private companies based in Hawai‘i. In his role, Trujillo oversees the content marketing, creative production, and partnerships and events teams for the Toyota, Lexus and Subaru Hawaii brands.

Trujillo joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2020. He also currently sits on the board for the American Marketing Association of Hawaii and is on organization's conference committee. Previous to Servco Pacific, Trujillo served as the director of marketing & communications at the U.S. Tennis Association Hawaii Pacific.

Trujillo earned his Master in Business Administration from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa and a bachelor's degree from the University of Redlands in California.

Adina Wakayama

BBA '08

Accounting Manager, Par Hawaii Inc.

Adina Wakayama is the Accounting Manager at Par Hawaii Inc., where she oversees the financial operations of the company's Hawai'i logistics business. Her responsibilities include managing financial reporting, budgeting, and variance analysis, ensuring compliance with SOX regulations, and supporting internal controls. Adina also leads her team through the monthly and annual financial close processes, provides mentorship, and communicates financial results to senior management.

Active in her community, Adina joined the Shidler Alumni Association in 2024 and previously served as treasurer for the Rising Phoenix Jaycees. She is a dedicated member of Par Hawaii's Kokua Committee, working to support nonprofits that improve education, healthcare, and environmental stewardship in Hawai'i.

Originally from Brasov, Romania, Adina moved to Hawai'i in 2001. She is a proud alumna of the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where she earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and international business. During her time at Shidler, Adina was an active member of Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies, as well as the Accounting Club. She also served as the Finance Director for the Inter-Business Council. In her free time, Adina enjoys hiking, working out, and spending time with family and friends.

Billy Wu

BBA '12

Portfolio Manager, Manulife Investment Management

Billy Wu is a portfolio manager for Manulife Asset Management, based in Hong Kong. He is responsible for the credit research within the fixed income investment team, mainly focusing on high grade state-owned enterprises (SOE) and industrial corporations in greater China and Korea. Prior to joining Manulife, he was a rating analyst with S&P Global Ratings covering automobiles, engineering and construction, and technology hardware companies in greater China. Wu started his career with HSBC Hong Kong as a management trainee and placed as a corporate relationship manager in commercial banking department.

He joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2017. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he earned his bechelor’s degree in finance and international business from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa. Wu was also the recipient of the Oscar and Rosetta Fish Scholarship and co-founded the International Business Organization (IBO) during his time at Shidler.

Tyson Yamada

BBA '03, MBA '07

Co-owner, Proforma Favorable Impressions

Tyson Yamada is the co-owner of Proforma Favorable Impressions, a creative marketing solutions company. Yamada and his family provide promotional product solutions for a wide range of clients. He has been working with his family for the past eight years.

He joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2007 and most recently served as president from 2019-2021. Over the past six years, he has also been involved with Ad 2 Honolulu, a not-for-profit organization of young professionals interested in advertising, marketing and public relations. Yamada served on Ad 2 Honolulu's board for several years as treasurer, vice president and president among other committee positions.

Born and raised in Honolulu, he is a graduate of Punahou School. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration and Master of Business Administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa. When not working or volunteering, he enjoys listening to music and dabbling in photography.

Trisha Ann Yamato

EMBA '19

Senior Associate – Investment & Analytics, Ulupono Initiative

Trisha Yamato is a senior associate on the Investments & Analytics team at Ulupono Initiative. She is responsible for Ulupono Initiative’s investment efforts including due diligence, financial modeling, and project support and oversight across four sectors including renewable energy, clean transportation, local food production and fresh water management. Prior to joining Ulupono Initiative, she most recently worked as a senior internal auditor and vice president for Bank of Hawaii, where she coordinated and conducted regulatory compliance audits of the consumer lending, commercial banking and mortgage divisions.

Yamato joined the Shidler Alumni Association board in 2024. Born and raised in Honolulu, she is a graduate of Punahou School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Claremont McKenna College and is a certified public accountant. She earned her Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa. She also serves as treasurer for two local non-profit organizations.