For alumna Qynn Nguyen, VEMBA ’12, the journey from earning her master’s in business administration to now leading strategic initiatives at YouTube has been a story of adaptability, innovation and resilience. As manager of Video on Demand for YouTube TV, Primetime Channels, FAST and NFL Sunday Ticket, Nguyen’s career showcases how core business skills and a passion for learning can propel success in dynamic industries.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business’ School of Travel Industry Management (TIMSchool) held its 23rd annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala on April 2, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. As the largest fundraiser in support of TIM School student scholarships, this year’s event raised more than $300,000 thanks to the generous support of the hospitality and Hawaiʻi business community.
Taylor Ledgerwood, BS ’23, is a driving force behind regenerative tourism in Hawai‘i through her role as manager of the Kahala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts (KISCA). Her work seamlessly integrates what regenerative aims to do– drawing on environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and community engagement to create experiences for guests and residents alike.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business Alumni Association held its annual Executive Vineyards fundraiser on March 7, at The Royal Hawaiian. This signature event successfully raised $68,500 to elevate Shidler College through alumni outreach efforts, student academic activities, scholarships and more.
Hisae Uki, MBA ’12, has worn multiple hats at Sun Noodle, where craft noodles are produced for restaurants and retail in Honolulu, New Jersey, California and The Netherlands. Since beginning her journey at the family business, founded by her father, Hidehito, and mother, Keiko, she’s held management roles in human resources, food safety, quality assurance, marketing and operations. It’s safe to say Uki’s days are never boring.
First Insurance Company Distinguished Professor Jing Ai wears many hats at Shidler College. In addition to teaching several undergraduate and graduate level classes, she’s also a researcher, director of Shidler College’s Ph.D. program and a faculty advisor to insurance and risk management track students.
When Masumi Iwai arrived in Hawaii from Tokyo to study tourism, she dreamed of staying after graduation to work in Hawaii’s visitor industry where she could inspire more Japanese tourists to visit the islands — a place long considered Japan’s top vacation destination.
Assistant Professor of TIM Xiaodan Mao-Clark advises bundling homeowners and car insurance when it offers significant savings, simplifies claims, or provides added convenience. She recommends assessing your home’s replacement cost—not market value—when choosing coverage, ensuring it includes personal property, liability, and disaster protection. Common mistakes include underinsuring based on market value, overlooking exclusions and liability, focusing only on premiums, and failing to review deductibles or properly inventory belongings.
Professor Jerry Agrusa discusses the importance of evaluating whether the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card outweigh its high annual fee and APR and advises individuals to assess their spending habits, as the card is most beneficial for those who frequently travel and dine out, while infrequent travelers may not maximize its perks enough to justify the cost.
The 2025 Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism event occurs on April 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The event supports scholarship awards for students at the School of Travel Industry Management and provides a fun evening of networking and recognizing individuals that have made significant and long-term contributions to the travel industry in Hawai’i.
Steve Sombrero had a colorful career as an entrepreneur long before he came to Hawaii and built a reputation as not only the owner of one of the top commercial real estate brokerages in the state, but also the man who rid Honolulu’s toniest neighborhood of a Japanese billionaire who allowed more than two dozen luxury homes to become derelict.
Kelvin Chun (BBA 1982)has been re-elected to the board of the Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union. He will serve a three-year term. Chun is an award winning educator, magician, balloon sculptor and kite enthusiast.
Richard Baker (BBA 2014) has joined Facebook as an operations analyst. Previously, Baker was an audit senior at Deloitte. Along with a BBA from Shidler, Baker also holds a bachelor's degree in Chinese from UH Manoa.
Mary Grace Jacot (BBA 2000) has been named the 2018 First Hawaiian Bank and Guam Business Magazine Businesswoman of the Year. Grace is president and CEO of S.E.T. - Pacific, Inc., an energy systems contractor based in Tamuning, Guam. Grace accepted her award at the Businesswoman of the Year gala in April and was featured on the cover of the May issue of Guam Business Magazine.
