W HERE IN T HE WOR LD A RE M ĀNOA A LUMNI?
Here at Mānoa, your achievements extend beyond your degree of completion. The connections you make, the communities you develop, the professors you encounter that nurture your growth provide the foundational stepping stones to propel you to great things on and beyond our campus. The success of a graduate stands at the core of our mission.
We connected with our recent alumni to learn more about their experiences. With a variety of backgrounds, selection of career choice and path to success, one thing is certain - our alumni are proud to have been Made at Mānoa.
1. Hawaii State Dept. of Education
2. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
3. State of Hawai‘i
4. John A. Burns School of Medicine
5. Self-employed 6. U. S. Federal Government 7. The Queen’s Medical Center
8. City and County of Honolulu
9. Bank of Hawaii 10. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
“I’ve truly enjoyed aligning my personal mission with my corporate work — educating and helping bring underrepresented individuals into the corporate and tech spaces. It can be tricky transitioning from college to corporate and I strive to be the person I wish I had in that pivotal time.”
WAVERLY HEURTELOU
Senior Emerging Talent Recruiter
Reddit, Inc.
New York, New York
BBA Human Resource Management '17
Originally from the Bay Area, Waverly chose UH Mānoa because of the reputable business program and opportunity to immerse herself in a new culture and environment. As an Emerging Talent Recruiter, she focuses on recruiting for the Intern + New Grad + Fellowship programs, building out the recruitment strategy which includes universities and external partnerships. She is passionate about building connections with students from underrepresented groups while guiding them into career paths that break barriers into the tech industry.
“My time at UH Mānoa gave me a strong foundation in biology and research, which continues to influence my work today. Whether it was through my coursework or hands-on experiences like working in the Hawaiian Tree Snail Conservation Laboratory, I developed critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. These lessons helped me transition smoothly into managing clinical trials, where attention to detail and adaptability are vital.”
Originally from Mililani, O‘ahu, Jaselle Maudlin chose UH Mānoa because it allowed her to stay closer to home while pursuing a top-tier education. Beyond its academic excellence, UH Mānoa offered a unique setting where she could blend rigorous learning with opportunities to engage with Hawaiʻi’s incredible natural and cultural resources. Today, Jaselle works as a clinical operations consultant within the biotech industry in the Bay Area, managing oncology clinical trials.
JASELLE MAUDLIN
Clinical Trial Manager
San Francisco, California
BS Biology ‘12
Her role involves overseeing the complex process of conducting trials that evaluate innovative therapies, ensuring they adhere to regulatory guidelines while keeping patient safety and quality data at the forefront. Her work spans everything from vendor management to overseeing clinical sites, contributing to trials that could significantly improve the lives of cancer patients.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA GOOGLE HEADQUARTERS
“Everyone defines success differently, but I think a big part of it is the relationships you keep, both with yourself and with others. I try to approach my relationships with empathy and care, to connect with the other person and communicate. That’s the kind of success that matters to me.”
JOSTEN FORSYTHE
Supply Chain
Program Manager - Google San Francisco, California
BBA Finance and International Business, BA Japanese ʻ08
Josten Forsythe holds dual degrees in Finance and International Business, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese from UH Mānoa. Currently based in San Francisco as Program Manager at Google, he specializes in supply chain planning, data analytics, and cross-functional operations. With a diverse career spanning technology consulting, SaaS professional services, and government contracts, Josten excels at leveraging data-driven solutions to optimize business processes. His expertise in Agile methodologies and technical program management reflects his commitment to innovation and efficiency in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
ELIZABETH "LIZZIE" AQUINO PETERSON
National Institute of Health
Bethesda, Maryland
BS Biology and BA in French ʻ23
Makana Ioh (also pictured)
National Institute of Health
Bethesda, Maryland
BS Molecular Cell Biology ʻ23
Lizzie Aquino Peterson is a dedicated researcher specializing in cardiovascular health. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Biology and French from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2023. Currently, she is in the postbaccalaureate program at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute within the National Institutes of Health, where she leads studies on heart health disparities. Lizzie is passionate about advancing scientific knowledge and health equity and will begin medical school in the fall of 2025.
BETHESDA, MD
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
“I
think really knowing yourself helps you find and define what success means to you. Trying new experiences at UH Mānoa, like studying abroad, double majoring, and working two jobs, gave me exposure to what I like and don't like to do. Never say no to an opportunity! You never know where it will take you.”
PAOLA RODRIGUEZ BELTRAN
Owner, Mudd Studio Ceramics
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
BFA, College of Arts, Language, and Letters ʻ22
“My time in Mānoa was part of the bigger plan of opening a studio someday. I had only started doing ceramics two years before I transferred to UH Mānoa, but getting my BFA at Mānoa gave me confidence in my skill, as well as new found knowledge that allowed me keep pushing toward my goal of owning a studio. Little did I know that it would all happen in Hawai‘i!”
CERAMICS
JOSHUA GALERIA
Data Engineer- Nike World Headquarters Portland, Oregon
BS Computer Engineering ‘24
Joshua Galeria is a data engineer with experience in AI/ML-driven data analytics, software development, and robotic automation. Currently a Data Engineer at Nike, he focuses on modernizing data infrastructure using Databricks and PySpark. While at UH Mānoa, Joshua specialized in data and software engineering and was involved in a robotics team, as well as entrepreneurship and engineering student organizations.
“To achieve success, it’s crucial to define what success means to you. If you constantly compare yourself to others, you may never feel truly fulfilled. I believe success is more about building a system that continuously improves who you are rather than simply reaching specific goals. Keep pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and remain committed to lifelong learning.”
BEAVERTON, OR NIKE WORLD HEADQUARTERS
HONOLULU,
“As the NOAA monk seal coordinator, I am dedicated to the long-term sustainability of the species. A lot of my work focuses to integrate what’s important to our culture, our community, and the people who utilize kai. I love that I am able interact with local communities and find a way to build back trust that was lost for many years. Being a local face within the federal government can sometimes be challenging but I find that it can be really rewarding and make a difference.”
FRANCESCA "FRANKIE" KOETHE
Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Coordinator – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
MA Natural Resources Environmental Management ‘17, BA Zoology ’14, Communicology Minor
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Frankie Koethe has a strong commitment to sustainable community development. Currently, she serves as the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In this role, Frankie facilitates diverse teams of government and nongovernment partners to promote the recovery of our iconic and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal.
Prior to her current role, Frankie led public education and outreach efforts fort the Ko’olau Mountains Watershed Partnership and raised public awareness of natural resource management issues on O’ahu. In addition, she developed projects to empower and stimulate rural communities across the State of Hawai’i to implement practices in sustainable agriculture and agri-tourism. Although her conservation efforts have shifted to focus on the ocean, you can still find her helping in sustainable agriculture efforts periodically with GoFarm Hawaii.
"Step out of your comfort zone. It’s nice and cozy, but you can’t grow if you stay there. I try to do something uncomfortable every day because I know the person waiting on the other side is a stronger, wiser version of me. Take a chance on yourself – I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t continually bet on myself repeatedly.”
TY YAMAMOTO
Digital Product Manager –
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland, Oregon
BBA Marketing, Human Resource Management, Management ‘19
Ty Yamamoto currently serves as a Digital Product Manager at the Portland Trail Blazers, where he specializes in executing and enhancing digital assets—including emails, landing pages, and other digital experiences. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve user engagement both in and outside the arena. Previously, Ty held key marketing roles at American Savings Bank and Umpqua Bank, where he led website optimization, customer engagement, and other digital initiatives.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA PALACE OF FINE ARTS
“I found my passion for dance at UH Mānoa. I love being a dancer because I enjoy being creative and working in a very physical environment with my body and others. I find success in loving what I do and not settling for the expectations of others.”
KELLY DEL ROSARIO
Choreographer & Professional Contemporary Dancer
San Francisco, California
BFA Dance ‘05
An athlete and martial artist, Kelly Del Rosario discovered the potential of creativity in movement with dance and was able to combine his two passions by pursuing his BFA in Dance Performance at UH Mānoa. He has been with the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company in San Francisco since 2007 and has been a part of a number of award-winning contemporary dance companies through his tenure. In addition, Kelly is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) personal trainer and strength conditioning coach at MMA gym Rise Combat Sports.
“My role within Suntory Group involves exploring the relationship between the spirit-making processes and sensory outcomes. With that being said, I have two main responsibilities: enhancing Jim Beam’s sensory quality by analyzing its uniqueness and historical changes and connecting blenders globally to share knowledge and enhance liquid quality across categories. I love connecting with people all over the world through spirits and discovering new stories! This role has shown me just how much history, nature’s impact, craftsmanship, and all the amazing stories are packed into every whisky bottle.”
TOKYO, JP
MOANA ABE
Researcher - MBC Laboratory for Suntory Holdings Limited Tokyo, Japan
BS Atmospheric Sciences ‘18
Moana Abe works as a researcher in the MBC (MONOZUKURI-based Brand and Culture Construction) Laboratory at Suntory Holdings Limited in Tokyo where she aims to enhance the sensory experiences of Jim Beam and and other spirits and connect blenders globally to share knowledge and enhance liquid quality across categories.
She earned a bachelor of science in atmospheric sciences from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) which provided unique opportunities to explore weather and climate phenomena in a tropical setting. Upon graduating from UH Mānoa, Moana returned back to Japan where she took on the role of production engineer at Sumitomo Heavy Industries, then decided to dive into the world of spirits with Suntory Group where she was able to utilize her experiences in the sciences in a different and innovative capacity.
“MĀNOA RAIN”
Cover Artist: Paige (Oshiro) Su BBA Marketing & Management ‘20 Honolulu, HI
"When I attended UH, I visited Mānoa Valley District Park every week after class. I sat under a tree and watched the mountains transform in the setting sun. My anxieties about the future would fade as I watched the rain clouds roll in. I find comfort in spending time in nature, sitting with God, and painting the things that inspire me. Now I teach adult watercolor workshops to help people paint and play for the pure joy of it."
Follow Paige's artwork on Instagram @poshiki