Congratulations, Dr. Pokiʻi Balaz, EMBA ’20, for being selected for Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40: Class of 2021!

Balaz was named to the annual list through a competitive nomination process based on demonstration of business excellence, contribution to the overall success of her organization and community involvement. 

Congratulations to Jennifer Barrett Fajarado, EMBA ’07, for being named to Pacific Business News’ 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Barrett Fajarado was recognized for her stellar contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

Pacific Business News honored women leaders and news-makers in its 23rd Annual Women Who Mean Business. Congratulations to Kawena Beaupre, BBA ’00 for being named to the list for demonstrating a commitment to community service and for her leadership skills.

Landon Beers, BBA ‘07, has been promoted to managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Honolulu audit practice, where he leads audit engagements in  banking, technology, retail and hospitality practices. Beers also serves as treasurer for the Shidler Alumni Association.

Sara Cheuk, MBA ’00, has been promoted to executive officer at the PolyU Academy for Research Institute of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In this elevated role, Cheuk is responsible for enhancing the visibility and repetition of the university, where she has worked for the past 16 years. Cheuk most recently served as an assistant manager in Alumni Affairs.

Daniel Chun, BS ‘02, was named the Alaska Airlines corporate honoree for the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation’s Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u awards banquet. As a public school graduate, Chun was recognized for his contributions to the business community as well as his dedication to improving education opportunities for future generations.

Kristi Chun, BBA ’06, has been appointed partner and financial advisor with Eagle Strategies LLC, A Registered Investment Advisor and a New York Life company. She is also a Principal at HIPAC Financial, LLC. She provides premium financial services to her clients through continued education, up-to-date product knowledge and the development of strategic industry relationships. Chun was named one of Forbes “Top Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals” in 2024.”*

*Neither SHOOK nor Forbes receives any compensation in exchange for placement on its Top Financial Security Professional (FSP) rankings (including the Best-In-State Financial Security Professional rankings), which are determined independently. FSP refers to professionals who are properly licensed to sell life insurance and annuities. FSPs may also hold other credentials and licenses which would allow them to offer investments and securities products through those licenses. Investment performance is not a criterion. SHOOK's research and rankings provide opinions intended to help individuals choose the right FSP and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. You can find the full methodology here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2024/07/10/methodology-americas-top-financial-security-professionals-2024/

HIPAC Financial is not owned or operated by Eagle Strategies of any of its affiliates. 733Bishop Street, Ste 2200 Honolulu HI 96813-3914. 808-529-6300.

Ian Clagstone, BBA ’07, has been named CEO of SC Capital LLC. In this leadership role, he leads the company’s efforts to acquire multifamily apartment buildings, office, retail and industrial properties in Hawai‘i. Clagstone is also the president and co-founder at Standard Commercial LLC, SC Capital’s sister company.

Jason Domingo, MHRM ’07, was named a recipient of the McDonald’s Presidents’ Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of the top 1% of McDonald’s corporate, segment and market staff globally. Domingo was selected as a high-achieving individual who, by living the McDonald’s values each and every day, also inspires and enables those around him to deliver better results. 

Congratulations, Nicole Galase, BBA ‘09, for being selected for Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40: Class of 2021! 

Galase was named to the annual list through a competitive nomination process based on demonstration of business excellence, contribution to the overall success of her organization and community involvement. 

Congratulations to AJ Halagao, MBA ’04, for being named to Hawaii Business Magazine’s 20 for the Next 20. This annual list highlights 20 individuals whose talents, accomplishments and potential set them apart as emerging leaders of Hawaiʻi into the next two decades.

Congratulations to Reid Hinaga, BBA ’06, for being honored in Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 for his demonstration of business excellence, contributions to his organization and strong community involvement. Hinaga currently is the retail delivery senior regional manager at Hawaii state Federal Credit Union and also serves on the Shidler Alumni Association board.

Bernadette Kaneshiro, BBA ’08, has been promoted to assistant vice president & private banking mortgage loan officer at First Hawaiian Bank. In her role, she is responsible for generating residential mortgage loan production through various network referral sources, developer projects and bank resources. 

Jeffrey Kao, BBA ’02, MBA ’06, has been appointed partner and financial adviser at HIPac Financial. In his role, he provides innovative financial planning services to assist retirees, pre retirees, young families, state and federal employees, and business owners to grow and protect their wealth. Kao also is the cofounder of Sweet Creams, the first ice cream roll shop in Hawaiʻi.

Grant Kubota, BBA ’99, MBA ’05, has been named to Forbes magazine’s 2021 list of America’s Best-in-State Wealth Advisors. Kubota is a vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, where he has worked for 15 years. He was recognized with this honor for his superb wealth management services and his commitment to his clients and company.

Su Lazo, BBA ‘06, had been appointed director of career development for the Hiapo program at Purple Mai’a. In her new role, she provides students with career counseling, prepares graduates for their job search and builds a network of local employers committed to hiring locally.

Michelle Leon-Guerrero, BS ‘07, MHRM ‘09, has been promoted to chief administrative officer at Hawaiian Host Group (HHG). In this elevated leadership role, Leon-Guerrero will oversee the company’s Talent Management, Operations, Customer Care and Warehouse departments. Leon-Guerrero previously served as VP of talent management.

Congratulations to Michelle Leon-Guerrero, BS ’07, MHRM ’09, for being named to Pacific Business News’ 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Leon-Guerrero was recognized for her stellar contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

Gavin Masuda, BBA ’05, was named to the prestigious 40 Under 40 honor roll list, which is published by The Daily Journal in California. This list celebrates California-based lawyers who are making significant contributions to the field. Masuda works as a partner at Latham & Watkins in San Francisco.

Kylie Matsuda-Lum, BS ‘01, was awarded Hawaii Venture Capital Association’s Agriculture/Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2023 Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards. Lum and her husband, Judah, are co-founders of Kahuku Farms. This award honors their company’s ability to enhance clean technology to help create a greener future through  innovative agricultural practices.  

Katie Mettler, BBA ‘02, has been promoted to vice president and senior wealth advisor at First Hawaiian Bank. As a Certified Financial Planner since 2012 and with over 18 years of financial services experience, Mettler guides her private banking clients to achieve their financial wellness objectives by creating a financial plan that will help them reach their long term goals including retirement, investments and estate planning.

Kanani Miyahira, MBA ‘00, has been promoted to first vice president and wealth advisor at American Savings Investment Services. With over 25 years of expertise, she provides clients with personalized services to meet their financial goals while also offering portfolio management advice. 

Del Mochizuki, BBA ’00, has been promoted to director of finance and human resources at UHA Health Insurance. In her elevated role, Mochizuki oversees all financial and human resources activities for the organization and works with the executive leadership team to establish objectives and policies. She has been with the company for more than seven years and most recently served as controller.

Ngoc Nguyen, BBA ’05, MBA ’11, has been chosen for the 2022-2023 Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance cohort. Nguyen currently serves as director of strategic finance at Hawaiian Telcom.

Pacific Business News honored women leaders and news-makers in its 23rd Annual Women Who Mean Business. Congratulations to Pamela Nitta, MBA ’06 for being named to the list for demonstrating a commitment to community service and for her leadership skills.

Catherine Orlans, BS ’09, has been appointed as the destination manager for the Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB). In this new position, which is funded by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Orlans is responsible for the Oahu Destination Management Action Plan and Oahu’s Community Enrichment Program. Prior to joining OVB, she served as a program coordinator with Honeywell.

Cara Sawai-Mangan, BS ’08, program manager for the Family Business Center of Hawaii, welcomed baby girl, Kaia to the family on August 20, 2021.

Dan Richards, BBA ‘09, has been promoted to vice president of marketing at Coldwell Banker Island Properties. In his elevated role, Richards oversees marketing for the company and its affiliated businesses across Hawaii. He also identifies growth opportunities and develops new business partnerships. 

Congratulations to Monica Salter, MBA ’07, for being named to Pacific Business News’ 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Salter was recognized for her stellar contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

Congratulations to Niki Shishido, MBA ’06, for being named to Pacific Business News’ 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Shishido was recognized for her stellar contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

Rachel Sokugawa, BBA ’09, MBA ’15, has been hired as assistant director of development and donor relations for the University of Hawai‘i Foundation. She oversees gift administration and stewardship of donor relations for Shidler College. Sokugawa also works as an operations specialist at Apple. Most recently, she served as an administrative assistant at Pono Pacific, LLC. 

Tiffany Tabbal, BBA ‘08, has been appointed principal and co-owner of Manageability, LLC. In her role, Tabbal oversees the company’s day-to-day business operations, while managing various projects for clients. She also focuses on assisting with certification as a woman-owned small business. Tabbal previously served as the company’s marketing and administrative manager.

Danielle Ulmann, BBA ‘09, has been promoted to vice president of surety at Atlas Insurance Agency. In her new role, she collaborates with account executives to grow, build and maintain client and carrier relationships. Ulmann continues to manage the surety client book of business. 
 

Congratulations to Natalie Werts, BBA ‘05 for being selected for the 6th cohort of the Patsy Mink Leadership Alliance in August 2021. The program is designed for emerging women leaders to develop management skills in order to advance their personal growth, professional impact and community change.

Greg Young, MBA ’07, has been named president and CEO of HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union. In this leadership role, Young leads the company’s effort to make obtaining loans easier and faster for businesses and individuals, as well as continuing to stay up to date with digital trends. Young most recently served as their chief lending officer.