As the director of human resources at Young Brothers, Shannon Lum, BS ’12, MHRM ’17, doesn’t just manage teams— she connects people, communities and purpose across the Hawaiian Islands. With a deep belief in compassionate leadership and a foundation built at Shidler College, she’s helping move what matters most in Hawai‘i. 

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business hosted its 32nd Hall of Honor Awards at the Sheraton Waikiki, October 2. The event celebrated distinguished business professionals who exemplify excellence in their fields while raising critical funds to support the college.

Jordan Odo, EMBA ’17, is a proactive leader driven by purpose, innovation and community. These qualities coalesced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when he started a virtual summer internship through the Jordan and Cara Odo Scholarship Foundation with classmate John Doyle, EMBA ’17, and his former colleague Jeff Berlin. Odo describes it as a challenging but rewarding time. The program continued for four more years as the Next Gen Leaders Program, empowering dozens of students with essential leadership skills.

We all know people who roll with the punches seamlessly. For Shidler College accounting instructor, Manu Ka‘iama, that sentiment stands true. Life presented her a challenge–in this case, it was her federal funding, which limited the work she could do for Shidler. And with uncertainty looming over what funding will look like in the future; she’s pivoted her path. These days, she pours her talents, knowledge and passion into all things Native Hawaiian with class offerings for Shidler’s faculty and staff.

Enterprise Mobility currently employs numerous Shidler College of Business graduate across Hawai‘i and serves as a strong launchpad for alumni as they begin their careers. Working at the company offers them a path to grow their skills, and meet fellow graduates and local business associates, all while staying rooted in Hawai‘i.

From the pitcher’s mound to the boardroom, Andy Archer, MS ’22, is proving that leadership, impact and aloha can thrive wherever your cleats land. The former University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warrior baseball standout and current pitcher with the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, blends his passion for baseball, a sharp mind for finance and heart for community. 

After more than two decades of leadership at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Vance Roley plans to step down as dean of the Shidler College of Business. A national search for his successor will begin this fall.

Hundreds of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa business and travel industry management students are graduating with job offers in hand, thanks to Shidler College of Business’ robust internship and career development programs.

Oʻahu native Erin Kanno Uehara, owner of Mānoa chocolate boutique Choco leʻa always knew she wanted to study at the University of Hawaiʻi.

Fifteen high school students from a STEM-focused girls’ school in Tokyo traveled to Hawaiʻi not just to learn—but to help tackle some of the islands’ toughest social and environmental issues, from reef-safe sunscreen to houselessness.

A partnership between the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business and the Family Business Center of Hawaiʻi (FBCH)—a nonprofit, member-based forum, housed within the Shidler College—is expanding career-ready opportunities for students by engaging with local family businesses.

The University of Hawaiʻi Venture Competition marked its 25th anniversary this year with record prize money, standout student startups and a celebration of entrepreneurship across the UH System. Hosted by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in UH Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, the milestone event, supported by title sponsor American Savings Bank, featured 13 semifinalist teams representing more than 20 academic disciplines and two campuses.

Shidler College of Business’ Development Team headed to Asia last month for two special alumni events. Joined by Dean Vance Roley, Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama and several Hawai‘i and West Coast-based alumni, the mixers were held to bring alumni, students and friends of the college together for evenings of networking, updates and a renewed sense of community.

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa celebrated its 64th annual Business Night on May 8, at the Sheraton Waikiki. This signature event brought together nearly 500 students and business professionals for an evening of mentorship, recognition and networking.

Meet Sean Ganhinhin, BS ’08, general manager for the Prince Waikiki, a property featuring oceanfront rooms and suites. His responsibilities include overseeing operations, sales and marketing efforts for Prince Waikiki and Hawaii Prince Golf Club. Prior to his current post, he held leadership positions at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in travel industry management from the School of Travel Industry Management. Ganhinhin resides in Honolulu with his family. 

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.

Since graduating from Shidler College, Martin Nguyen, BBA ’15, has been on an exciting journey of bold risks and transformative experiences. The young professional has already enjoyed an illustrious career full of big changes, starting when he boarded a one-way flight to Los Angeles the same week he graduated. He didn’t have a job lined up but he had the knowledge and persistence he gained while in college and as a student in the college’s inaugural Direct Admit Program.

The Shidler College of Business hosted a milestone event on Feb. 11 for the Master of Science in Finance Program (MSF). Professor of Finance and Risk Management and MSF Faculty Director Hua Chen organized the “Mastering Finance: Bridging Talent and Industry” mixer event at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. Chen collaborated with multiple teams, including the Career Services and Professional Development Office, the Graduate Office of Student Academic Services and the External Relations Office to design a networking opportunity for current students and an informational session for prospective students. There were about 60 attendees, including students, alumni and finance professionals, who spent the evening fostering connections and sharing insights into Hawaii’s finance industry.

Jarenn Murakami, a Nordstrom Company senior program manager, credits her ability to build and maintain relationships to her time at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business. She earned a bachelors of business administration focusing in human resources in 2013.

The state of Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa became the epicenter of global innovation, hosting two high-profile conferences that drew over 1,500 researchers from around the world.