Kristy Chung
Majors: Human Resource Management & Finance
Growing up in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Kristy has always taken pride in helping her peers recognize their potential and supporting them in achieving their goals. As a result, this led her to pursuing a double major in Human Resource Management and Finance at the Shidler College of Business. She has found that her passion for setting individuals up for success and addressing their needs are strongly aligned with those within HR whose ultimate goal is to protect their companies' most available asset, its people. Throughout her life, she has consistently sought to educate herself about the island community while also embracing opportunities outside her comfort zone to further develop as an individual and a local leader in Hawaii's business community. During her time at the Shidler College of Business, Kristy joined the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Aloha Chapter who has helped provide the resources and support needed to grow herself professionally. After serving on their executive board as their Inter-Business Council Senator, she would later continue her leadership term as their Executive President. As she eagerly anticipates the start of her junior year, Kristy is thrilled to embark on her study abroad journey at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, in the Spring of 2025. She is grateful for the chance to broaden her horizons, enhance her cross-cultural competence, and cultivate the adaptability that is crucial in today’s globalized world. Overall, Kristy is deeply honored to represent the Shidler College of Business as a Shidler Global Leader and is determined to seize every opportunity to give back to those who have paved the way for her.
Jamie Hirano
Majors: Marketing & Human Resource Management
SGL Cohort Coordinator
Jamie Hirano is an undergraduate student at the Shidler College of Business, pursuing a triple major in Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Management. As an incoming senior, Jamie is proud to serve as President for the Business Executive Society of Tomorrow (BEST). Her passion for leadership and giving back stems from her hometown of Kāneʻohe. Surrounded by the beautiful Koʻolau mountain range, Jamie grew up with a loving support system. Her family, teachers, and peers instilled the core value of community and fostered a positive environment for her growth. Since enrolling at Shidler, Jamie has served as Vice President for the International Business Organization (IBO), as well as Director of Career Development and Director of Marketing for BEST. Her other notable achievements include being an Honors student and Provost Achievement scholar. She has had various internship experiences in journalism, marketing, and hospitality. These organizations include: The Hawaiʻi Herald, Under My Umbrella, and Marriott International/Kyo-ya. Jamie quickly connected people-oriented careers with the Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development fields. After graduating, she plans to work up to the HR management level. Outside of Shidler, Jamie looks forward to completing her English minor and certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her hobbies include traveling, photography, and creative writing. Jamie is both thrilled and deeply honored to represent the Shidler community as a Shidler Global Leader. This past spring 2025 semester, she pursued international excellence during her study abroad in South Korea. Heading into the fall semester, Jamie’s goals involve steadily working on her Honors project, enacting positive change through her presidency, and embracing all the opportunities Shidler has to offer.
Eileen Liu
Majors: Marketing & Management
Raised in a culturally diverse and welcoming environment, Eileen has always been interested in understanding the international community and the beauty of difference. With family living in Asia, Europe, Hawaii, and the continental US, she has had the fortune to travel the world and learn about how different cultures affect daily lifestyle, personal and societal values, and, most recently, international marketing strategies. Recently, Eileen studied abroad in Taiwan at the National Taiwan University, where she made lifelong memories and experienced living in a completely new environment on her own. She hopes to expand on her international experiences through studying abroad in Europe before she graduates. Eileen is currently working toward a BBA in Marketing and Management with a minor in Economics, and hopes to use her knowledge to make a tangible impact on her local and global community. During her time at Shidler, she has been involved in the Business Executive Society of Tomorrow as Director of Career Development and 25th Anniversary Director of Logistics, as well as Director of Professional Development for the Hawaii Student Entrepreneurs. Outside of Shidler, Eileen currently works as the Marketing and Communications Assistant for the ALS Network, a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness for people living with and affected by ALS in Hawaii and California. Through this position, she has gained experience in Blackbaud Systems, including WordPress, Luminate Online, and Raiser’s Edge NXT, along with various other marketing and communications tools. Eileen has also worked with various other organizations, including the American Association for University Women and local public relations firm Transcendence Pacific as a Communications Intern and Marketing Intern, respectively. Moving forward, she hopes to continue to enhance the scope of her capabilities as a leader, marketing professional and community member through constant international exposure and local involvement.
Zachary Sonnleitner
Majors: Management Information System & Finance
Zach is a senior double majoring in Management Information Systems and Finance. He has held leadership roles as Director of Corporate Relations for Delta Sigma Pi and Director of Operations for the Information Technology Management Association, where he made lasting connections and supported student professional development. Recently, he returned from a study abroad experience at Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, where he immersed himself in Danish culture, traveled throughout Europe, and worked as a student consultant developing business solutions for a local tech startup. Most recently, Zach completed a Technology Risk internship with EY in San Francisco, where he gained hands-on experience addressing real-world business challenges in a fast-paced corporate environment. In his final year, Zach is committed to increasing his community service involvement and leaving a meaningful impact at Shidler. After graduation, he looks forward to beginning his career in the corporate world and plans to leverage his professional and academic experiences as a foundation for pursuing an MBA.
Alicia Marie Tokiwa
Majors: Accounting
Born and raised near Toronto, Canada, Alicia loves to continually learn and hone her skills. Before college, she spent much of her time being involved as a Student Trustee for her school board, the Captain of her Field Hockey Team, and as a black belt in Karate. At UH, Alicia has kept the momentum going. She competed at the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals in 2023 With the Powerlifting Club at UH Manoa, and is serving her second year as treasurer. As an active member of the Accounting Club (AC), she is currently serving as the Director of Professional Development (Fall ‘24). In this role, she gets the opportunity to plan AC and BAP’s Mock interview, coordinate workshops, and plan office tours to set members up for success in their future careers. Alicia has gained valuable experience as an Audit Intern at Accuity LLP and is looking forward to her next internship at Deloitte in Spring 2025.In Fall 2025, she is excited to study abroad at the IÉSEG School of Management in Paris, France where she hopes to further develop her French language skills. Alicia has big ambitions for her career, but hopes to eventually end up as a professor, inspiring and learning from the next generation of leaders. She is thrilled and honored to be a Shidler Global Leader and looks forward to continuing to give back to her community on a broader scale and fully realizing all the incredible opportunities the Shidler School of Business offers.
Michael Ballesteros
Majors: Finance and International Business
Michael Ballesteros is a Shidler Direct Admit and Regents Scholar in Manoa's Honors program, currently majoring in Finance and International Business with a minor in Economics. As the first-generation son of an elementary school teacher, Michael was taught to embrace education as a tool for impact and discovery. He embodies this sentiment through his undergraduate research, currently analyzing the financial and macroeconomic influence of genetically modified crops in North America. Outside of such academia, Michael will also serve as the Vice President of Finance at the Rho Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, adding onto his past leadership experience as an associate at the Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund and a volunteer coordinator at the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Michael also volunteers as a mentor for FIRST Robotics, and provides STEM education and outreach to elementary and middle schoolers in Hawaii. He hopes to combine his educational background, research focus, and past experiences into a career in consulting, where he aims to help grow startups specializing in sustainability and natural resource management. Michael is excited to represent the Shidler College of Business and give back to the community he proudly calls home. With a unique interdisciplinary approach to his academic and professional experience, he hopes to utilize the world of business as an avenue that connects people from all backgrounds, and a platform that helps solve the advanced issues of the 21st century.
Kaycee Chun
Majors: Marketing, Management, & International Business
Born and raised on O’ahu, Kaycee Chun holds a deep appreciation for her local community and carries a strong willingness to give back. Now an undergraduate student at the Shidler College of Business through their Freshman Direct Admit program (DAP), she is currently pursuing a triple major in Marketing, Management, and International Business. Since her admission to Shidler, Kaycee is actively engaged in the Shidler community through her various leadership positions. She has served as the Director of Marketing for the International Business Organization (IBO), and will continue her leadership roles by serving as the Director of Philanthropy for IBO as well as the Inter-Business Council Senator for the Real Estate Club (REC). Additionally, she contributes to supporting UH Mānoa as a Student Assistant at the Office of the Registrar by providing guidance to current and incoming students. She has previously interned with local non-profits which include Breast Cancer Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Children’s Discovery Center, reinforcing her desire to build meaningful connections within her community. She is constantly seeking to expand her horizons, as she plans to study abroad in South Korea during the Spring of 2026 where she hopes to learn more about international marketing strategies. She is looking forward to taking these next steps in her academic journey and is excited for this new chapter as a Shidler Global Leader as she hopes to further expand her understanding of what it means to achieve international excellence and be a global leader.
Camille Downey
Majors: Human Resource Management, Marketing, Management, & International Business
Originally from Houston, Texas, Camille has always been inspired by the strength of diverse communities and the power of meaningful connection. That perspective has only grown since moving to Hawaiʻi, which she now calls home. A Shidler Direct Admit student, Camille is pursuing a quadruple major in Human Resource Management, Marketing, International Business, and Management. She is passionate about helping others thrive, and her journey reflects a strong commitment to both professional development and community impact. Throughout her time at Shidler, Camille has held multiple leadership positions in Delta Sigma Pi, including Vice President of Community Service and Vice President of Corporate Relations, where she established relationships with local and national companies to support the career growth of business students. She currently serves as Vice President for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and previously worked as a Resident Assistant for Student Housing. Most recently, Camille completed an internship with Interstel Technologies, where she supported marketing campaigns, conference planning, and reimbursement processing. Her drive to give back to the Shidler community is also seen through her role as a DAP Mentor and her contributions to the Shidler Transformational Acceleration Program (STAP), where she helps organize events that connect students with professionals. Camille continues to draw on her background in speech and debate, now coaching and judging national competitions, sharpening the communication and critical thinking skills that she brings into every space. As she looks ahead, Camille is excited to pursue a master’s degree in Human Resource Management through Shidler. She aspires to build a career in international human resources with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and organizational development, creating environments where people and companies grow together.
Ta'ani Jackson
Majors: Accounting & Finance
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Ta’ani has always been fueled by discipline and a relentless drive for self-improvement. Throughout his youth, he was actively involved in sports, serving as captain of his high school golf team, playing basketball, and even stepping on stage for a bodybuilding competition. Sports and fitness continue to be strong passions of his, grounding his commitment to consistency, focus, and hard work. At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Ta’ani will be starting his junior year, pursuing a double major in Accounting and Finance. He recently completed a tax internship at Fukuya Hasegawa Partners, gaining foundational experience in tax preparation and client service, and is set to intern in audit with Accuity LLP in Summer 2026. On campus, he is the incoming Inter-Business Council Senator for Beta Alpha Psi, where he looks forward to collaborating with the other Shidler clubs to create a better overall experience. In Fall 2026, Ta’ani will be studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain, at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, marking his first time traveling outside the United States. He is eager to immerse himself in a global business environment and broaden his cultural and professional perspective. With long-term goals of obtaining his CPA and eventually working in financial management for a professional sports team, Ta’ani is honored to be a Shidler Global Leader and is excited to continue expanding his network, grow as an individual, and give back to his community.
Cassie Matsumoto
Majors: Accounting, Management Information Systems, & International Business
As an undergraduate student at the Shidler College of Business, Cassie Matsumoto is currently pursuing a triple major in Accounting, Management Information Systems, and International Business. Since her admission through the Direct Admit Program, Cassie has been an engaged member of the Shidler community. She has held leadership roles as Secretary (Fall ‘24, Spring ‘25) and President (Fall ‘25) of the Real Estate Club, and has made connections that spanned nationalities as a member of the International Business Organization. Staying true to her optimistic spirit, Cassie believes in seeing the world not as it is, but what it has the potential to be. As someone who is extremely passionate about working towards financial literacy, she hopes to one day become a CPA and tax attorney. But most importantly, Cassie has always believed in not pulling up the ladder behind her. As such, she has been dedicated to fostering growth not only in her peers but in future generations as well. In her free time, Cassie volunteers as a judge for the Hawaiʻi Speech League in support of her alma mater, ʻAiea High School, enabling students across the state to boldly speak on a sea of pertinent issues and find their voices the same way she did. For Cassie, the Shidler College of Business has truly become a place for her to thrive. She is ecstatic to continue exploring what it means to be a global citizen when she ventures across the Pacific Ocean to study abroad in Japan during the Spring of 2026. Cassie is both honored and grateful to take on the next chapter of her life as a member of the Shidler Global Leaders Program, an opportunity only made possible by the unwavering support of the village behind her.
Carly Miyamoto
Majors: Marketing & International Business
Passionate about exploring the intersections of business and design, Carly Miyamoto is an undergraduate student at the Shidler College of Business majoring in Marketing and International Business with a minor in Studio Art (Graphic Design). Throughout her time at UH Mānoa, Carly has been involved in the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) where she previously served as Director of Marketing and Senior Vice President. Additionally, she works as a Student Assistant for the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) focusing on video production. Outside of Shidler, Carly acts as a student host for UH News videos, promoting the wide variety of events and programs happening at UH Mānoa. Embracing a wide range of professional opportunities, Carly has previously interned with PacRim Marketing Group Inc. (dba Vector USA) and Make-A-Wish Hawaii, having the chance to delve into being exposed to a mixture of professional development, marketing growth, and graphic design. For the Fall 2025 semester, Carly serves the Inter-Business Council (IBC) as their Director of Marketing, growing their reach and engagement within the Shidler College of Business and Shidler clubs. Eager and grateful to venture into new experiences, Carly intends to study abroad in Japan during the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. Enabling her to gain new global insights that she is looking forward to bringing back home to Hawaii. As Carly continues her collegiate journey, she is honored to represent the Shidler College of Business as a Shidler Global Leader and thrilled to form new connections through her business and creative endeavors–all while seamlessly intertwining her passions, goals, and love for the community together.
Olivia Zaruba
Majors: Finance
Olivia Zaruba is a Finance major at the Shidler College of Business who is driven by purpose, curiosity, and service. Hailing from the sun-soaked valleys of Arizona, she is the daughter of a Battalion Captain Firefighter and a pediatric nurse practitioner. Whether helping at local fundraisers or observing her parent’s constant acts of courage, Olivia learned early on that leadership begins with compassion and consistency. Now living in Hawaii, Olivia continues to lead with intention and integrity. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she manages operations for a small business, where she hones her skills in communication, organization, and strategic thinking. She remains deeply engaged in her academic and professional communities and is passionate about uplifting others through mentorship and service. Olivia was drawn to Shidler Global Leaders program for its emphasis on character driven leadership and global awareness. In Spring 2026, she intends to study abroad in Florence, Italy. She believes this experience will deepen her understanding of international finance and enrich her perspective as a global citizen. She aspires to become a financial advisor who empowers individuals and communities to build long term lasting security, confidence, and impact through financial literacy. Outside of school and work, Olivia enjoys strength training, writing, and spending quiet afternoons reading at the beach. She values reflection, real connection, and the lifelong journey of becoming. She is always moving forward with grit and grace.