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Volume 49, Number 1 Spring/Summer 2026

A HUI HOU,

Vance Roley

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Aloha ,

As I reflect on this issue of Shidler Business, I am especially grateful for the many people who have helped shape the remarkable journey of the Shidler College of Business over the past two decades, with a special nod to our incredible donors, alumni and stakeholders across the globe. This edition marks my final magazine welcome message as dean before I ultimately return to the classroom — a transition that brings both reflection and excitement for the future. Serving as dean of Shidler College for the past 21 years has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Together with our dedicated faculty and staff, generous alumni and donors, engaged business community and talented students, we have strengthened Shidler’s reputation as a globally recognized business school rooted in Hawai‘i and connected to the Asia-Pacific region. We are thrilled to see strong momentum across the college: . Shidler College recently ranked No. 22 in the nation for graduate international business . We awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships to over 300 students this year . Shidler College’s Career Services Office

Shidler Business is published twice annually for alumni, students and friends of the Shidler College of Business. Direct correspondence to: Shidler College of Business University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa 2404 Maile Way, C202, Honolulu, HI 96822 (808) 956 - 6044 | dani.douglass@uhfoundation.org

places approximately 500 internships annually across Hawai‘i and beyond . More than 90% of our graduates secure employment or pursue advanced education within three months of graduation Specifically, within the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School): . Undergraduate enrollment has a 4.5% annual increase . TIM continues to earn global recognition — ranking No. 12 in the nation and No. 32 globally for hospitality and tourism, as well as No. 18 globally for world-class faculty in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking rankings The accomplishments highlighted throughout this issue are a testament to what can be achieved through partnership, innovation and a shared commitment to student success. From scholarships and experiential learning opportunities to impactful research and global engagement, the progress of the college has always been fueled by the support of our alumni, donors and community partners. I am deeply appreciative of everyone who has invested in Shidler College throughout the years. Your mentorship, philanthropy and advocacy have helped open doors for generations of future business leaders. While I look forward to returning to the classroom, I remain incredibly optimistic about Shidler College’s future and the continued momentum of our students, faculty and alumni around the world.

As the college prepares for its next chapter and a new dean is selected, I encourage you to continue supporting and staying connected to the college. Strong institutions are built not around one individual, but through the enduring commitment of a community that believes in its mission and invests in future generations. Mahalo for being part of this journey and for your continued support of Shidler College. Warm regards,

V. Vance Roley Dean and First Hawaiian Bank Chair of Leadership and Management

CIRCULATION NUMBERS Print 14,486 | Digital 17,157 shidler.hawaii.edu/magazine

A Note to Our Readers: Shidler College is reviewing its printed magazine subscription options as part of ongoing efforts to be mindful of rising costs and environmental impact. We will share additional details via email as updates become available.

Volume 49, Number 1 Spring/Summer 2026

ON THE COVER Vance Roley transitions out of deanship after 21 years.

Shidler College of Business Advisory Council CHAIR | Robin K. Campaniano, EMBA ’83, Former President & CEO, Farmers Insurance Hawaii | MEMBERS | Steven Ai, President & CEO, City Mill Company, Ltd. | Jeremiah “Jay” Ana, BBA ’98, Portfolio Operations Executive, Tradewind Capital | Matthew Cox, Chairman & CEO, Matson Navigation Company | John C. Dean, Chairman Emeritus, Central Pacific Bank | Susan Eichor, MBA ’90, President & COO, aio | Eddie Flores, Jr., BBA ’70, Founder, L&L Franchise, Inc. | Terri Fujii, BBA ’84, MAcc ’85, Managing Partner, CW Associates, CPAs | Robert Harrison, Chairman, President & CEO, First Hawaiian Bank | David A. Heenan, Former Trustee, The Estate of James Campbell | Shelee Kimura, BBA ’95, President & CEO, Hawaiian Electric | Constance H. Lau, Former President & CEO, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. | Nelson K.M. Lau, BBA ’85, Former Managing Partner, KPMG, LLP | Ross Murakami, BBA ’87, Founding Partner, KMH LLP | Diane Paloma, MBA ’99, President & CEO, Hawaii Dental Service | Lance Parker, President & CEO, Alexander and Baldwin | Emily Reber Porter, COO, The MacNaughton Group | Todd Takayama, BBA ’90, President & CEO, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. | Scott Seu, President & CEO, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. | Kent K. Tsukamoto, BBA ’78, Former Managing Partner, Accuity LLP | Keith M. Vieira, BBA ’79, Principal, KV & Assoc., Hospitality Consulting, LLC | Richard Wacker, Former President & CEO, American Savings Bank | Eric Yeaman, BBA ’89, Managing Partner, Hoku Capital, LLC | Joe Young, BBA ’98, Managing Partner – Hawai‘i, Deloitte & Touche SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 3

A hui hou,

VANCE ROLEY BY DANI DOUGLASS On May 16, Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley experienced one of his favorite parts of the job for the last time as dean. As thousands filled the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawai‘i at M ānoa for commencement, Roley stood near the main stage in his regalia and scanned the crowd for the faces from the college he has led for the past 21 years. “To see how happy they are and how proud their families are, that just really touches me,” he said. And yet, after more than two decades at the helm of Shidler College, Roley is not saying goodbye. He is simply taking a sabbatical before returning to where he always knew he would end up: the finance classrooms he left 21 years ago to step into deanship. When Roley arrived at the college in 2005 from Washington, he did not expect to stay for more than five years. He envisioned strengthening the college’s people and programs before returning to research. He was eager to take on a leadership role that would support faculty growth, improve facilities, deepen connections with the local business community, raise the profile of international programs and elevate alumni support. But as he built

relationships during those first several years, something shifted.

“I’m not leaving the Shidler College of Business. I feel like I would let them down if I didn’t continue. - Vance Roley It was never rankings alone, but trust, that kept Roley returning to Shidler College year after year, well beyond his initial timeline. “I think trust is hugely important,” he said. “I feel like they judged me by my actions.” Roley departed the Dean’s Office

IT’S NOT GOODBYE; IT’S THE NEXT CHAPTER AFTER TWO DECADES OF LEADERSHIP

in July, and he is excited for the college’s next chapter and to return to the classroom in spring 2027. He is optimistic that support for the college will continue and that the next dean will build upon the work of those who came before. As new leadership steps in with a fresh vision, they will be succeeding a dean who built relationships through consistency, trust, stewardship and a deep investment in people. “You need a new pair of eyes sometimes,” he said. For Vance Roley, this “a hui hou” is not a final goodbye. It’s simply “until we meet again.”

“When Vance became dean, I believed he had the experience, discipline and vision to help move the Shidler College of Business into a new era. What he accomplished over the past 21 years exceeded expectations. His leadership strengthened the college’s global reputation, deepened its connections with alumni and the business community and created a lasting foundation for the college's future.”

- Jay H. Shidler, BBA ’68

“Dean Vance Roley’s vision for the Shidler College of Business and his commitment to bringing people together to strengthen business education in Hawai‘i defined his time as dean. He strengthened Shidler’s reputation, expanded and improved its facilities and increased the number of endowed professorships by more than thirty! He also deepened the college’s ties across the Asia-Pacific region through new programs, partnerships and opportunities for students and faculty. As dean, he leaves Shidler in a strong position for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.”

WORDS OF

Aloha

“Vance Roley was a master of building on existing strengths. Focusing on quality, he built stronger student and faculty bodies. Much of his success was based on his exceptional expertise in fundraising. There is no doubt that the college is stronger and provides superior services to our state due to his service.” - David Bess

- Robert “Bob” Harrison

By the numbers:

$238M+ in transformational gifts – with Jay H. Shidler’s being the largest individual gift in UH history. Faculty endowments grew from 6 to 45, helping to attract and retain top faculty. $1M+ is awarded in scholarship support annually.

HOW VANCE ROLEY TRANSFORMED SHIDLER COLLEGE TIM School rejoined in 2019. More than $1.5M has been raised for scholarships and six faculty endowments since.

The Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center opened in 2023, becoming the first live-learn-work center for UH students across all 10 campuses.

TIM School ranked 12th nationally and 32nd globally overall, and 12th nationally and 18th globally for faculty*; also 15th nationally and 46th globally for hospitality and tourism programs.**

Approximately 500 internships are facilitated each year. 91% employed within three months of graduation. *2025 Shanghai Ranking **2024 Quacquarelli Symonds rankings SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 5

25 YEARS BUILDING

business leaders IN VIETNAM HOW THE VIETNAM EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAM HELPED SHAPE THE COUNTRY’S BUSINESS FUTURE BY DANI DOUGLASS It was somewhere over the Pacific Ocean that an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation evaluator, on a long flight, struck up a conversation with a Vietnamese executive sitting next to her. Before the flight landed, she had already heard everything she needed to know about Shidler College of Business’ Vietnam Executive MBA (VEMBA) program. “You don’t have to sell the program to me anymore,” she told Tung Bui, faculty director of the VEMBA program at Shidler College, when she saw him in Vietnam. Bui, who is also an information technology management professor and the Matson Navigation Company Chair of Global Business, shares this anecdote as we talk story in an empty summer hallway about VEMBA’s 25th anniversary. The pride is clear in his voice, and so is his excitement that the program has reached this milestone. When the VEMBA program started in 2001, Bui didn’t know it would last this long. “I had no idea,” he reflects. He had just come to Hawai‘i 6

from Hong Kong and was eager to incorporate Shidler College’s AsiaPacific mission into his work. It was decided that Vietnam would be the experimental locale for the program, bringing the college’s executive MBA curriculum to working professionals in the country. Through Vietnam’s economic transformation, logistical challenges, the pandemic and a format change to a hybrid model, the VEMBA program has marched on. Since its inception, it has made a lasting impact, graduating almost 1,000 students from 32 cohorts and 21 countries. “It’s a sense of satisfaction that we have lasted this long and achieved this much,” he said. The Strength Is in the Connections There is an undeniable snowball effect at play in VEMBA’s success. As the program became bigger than anyone expected, one thing Bui continued to hear from students and alumni was the sense of ‘ohana created through the cohort experience. “The first thing they keep telling me is that the program changes their lives professionally and personally,” Bui said. “There is a sense of gratitude from the graduates.”

He shares that the professional network is what makes VEMBA unique and what it is known for. It is a program where students trust each other, work and play together and form friendships across cohorts. Years later, they build companies with one another, do charity work together and celebrate life milestones side by side. Many former graduates also hire their classmates or newer graduates, knowing they are getting a quality business professional speaking the same business language. That network continues to show up in real time. Bui recently shared an example of a current first-year VEMBA student connecting with an alumna from the program’s first cohort who is a respected governance leader in Vietnam. A discussion ensued around potential collaboration and new ways the VEMBA ecosystem can support the country’s next stage of business leadership. VEMBA’s impact is woven into Vietnam’s business landscape. Bui says many of the country’s top CEOs and executives are VEMBA graduates. Many sectors, including banking, airlines, telecommunications and logistics, are represented by VEMBA alumni, helping the program build a prestigious reputation in the country. At Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group, 20 VEMBA graduates are serving in top

A Country’s Transformation Reflected in Student Projects Another hallmark of the VEMBA experience is the way its capstone projects have changed over the years, mirroring Vietnam’s economic evolution and emerging strengths. “Years ago, the focus was on exporting rice and coffee,” Bui shared. “But now the conversation has shifted to exporting computer games, establishing offices, or opening factories abroad.” Other common themes in recent projects have included fashion brands, AI, fintech and global branding. This is attractive to employers who know that VEMBA graduates have studied the latest trends and bring relevant knowledge that can help their companies thrive. The Next Chapter Bui recently returned from what may have been his final VEMBA graduation ceremonies and special 25th anniversary events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in July. He is nearing retirement age, and when asked about the program’s future, he acknowledges that VEMBA may be entering a period of transition. With

upcoming leadership changes and shifting university priorities, the path ahead is still taking shape. What is evident is that VEMBA has far surpassed what Bui envisioned 25 years ago. He is filled with gratitude for the “ripple effect” the program has had on students, alumni, Vietnam’s business community and faculty involved. “Teaching VEMBA students is such an enriching experience,” said Jeanne Brett, DeWitt W. Buchanan, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Dispute Resolution and Organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a VEMBA visiting professor. “I’ve been telling everyone that my Vietnamese students were absolutely first rate!” Another VEMBA instructor, Vinod Aggarwal, who is the Alann P. Bedford Professor at UC Berkeley, shares

Tung Bui, Hung Tran, VEMBA Entrepreneur of the Year and inspirational speaker, and Shidler College Dean Vance Roley.

leadership roles. “Virtually all the leading companies in Vietnam are now led or have been led by graduates,” Bui said.

Brett’s enthusiasm. “The VEMBA students kept requesting more readings and assignments,” he said. “I don’t see that same eagerness with my MBA students in the Bay Area.” When a student thanks Bui and shares the impact the program has had on their life, he shares with them a wish. “You don’t need to thank me,” he says. “Just do the same for anyone you can.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 7

Leading WITH

INTENTION

XIAODAN MAO-CLARK’S RESEARCH, MENTORSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY ARE PREPARING TIM STUDENTS TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD BY DANI DOUGLASS The first clue that Xiaodan Mao-Clark does not fit the stereotypical image of an assistant professor at a business school is the oversized off-road eBike parked inside her office. Sunlight pours through a large arched window, illuminating a neatly organized bookshelf, a bright white standing desk–which clearly did not come from the school’s furniture inventory– and carefully placed indoor plants. The space feels less like a traditional university office and more like a reflection of its occupant: thoughtful, disciplined and designed with intention. Less than seven years ago, MaoClark was on a completely different career path as a successful investment banker in Houston. But the birth of her daughter, now 12, sparked a pivotal change that would ultimately lead her from a nearly two-decade career in finance to academia. “When I was holding her in my arms, I just all of a sudden had this urge to make this world a better place,” she reflects. That realization became the impetus for earning her doctorate degree 8

and pursuing research focused on sustainable hospitality and tourism and future generations. Mao-Clark’s journey to the University of Hawai‘i at M ānoa’s School of Travel Industry Management began, fittingly, at another UH: the University of Houston, where she completed her doctoral studies before heading west to one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Living Laboratory Mao-Clark’s research focuses on environmental sustainability and responsible hospitality and tourism and is informed by years spent solving real-world business challenges. She sees Hawai‘i as a living hospitality and tourism laboratory and explains that it occupies a unique position because tourism is actively debated here, creating opportunities for important conversations and critical thinking. “Our students aren’t studying hospitality in the abstract,” she says. “They're studying an industry in real-time tension with the place it operates in.” Major global hospitality and tourism destinations are grappling with

issues associated with overtourism, including environmental impacts, resource scarcity, gentrification and infrastructure strain. Mao-Clark says that what sets Hawai‘i apart is that it’s further along in confronting many of these challenges. “Every destination in the world is grappling with the same questions,” she said. “Hawai‘i is just further along in confronting them.” Along with being ahead of the curve in many ways, Mao-Clark says Hawai‘i is a cutting-edge place to study hospitality and tourism. Students have access to a wide range of guest speakers who don’t need to fly in; they simply drive over from Waikiki or the North Shore to share their expertise. She describes Hawai‘i’s visitor industry as a living, breathing asset and points to the hotel real estate lining Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues as some of its crown jewels. “Hospitality is an incredibly sophisticated, and may I say, very sexy industry,” she said. Her wish for her students is that they become comfortable with failure while evolving as professionals. She often tells them that excellence is more about discipline than talent. She

points to Michelin-star kitchens, where chefs refine their dishes through repeated failure while maintaining exacting standards in every detail, from menu development to deep cleaning each night. The lesson, she says, is not perfection but consistency in excellence, introspection and willingness to fail in pursuit of something better.

Everything that you do is a reflection of you. How you do anything is how you do everything.” - Vance Roley Mao-Clark herself is continuously striving to grow, both personally and professionally. So, when Shidler College Dean Vance Roley encouraged her to get involved with the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) while they were both at a TIM event, she didn’t hesitate. After connecting with PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama and learning about the Kalo Grants program, which awards grants to UH students who want to develop an idea, she was immediately drawn to its

mission. As a coach for the program, Mao-Clark provides students with the critical feedback needed to sharpen their presentations and effectively communicate their ideas, all while staying connected to emerging trends in innovation and entrepreneurship. She says her involvement with

PACE keeps her learning. She is energized by hearing new ideas and business concepts, innovative solutions and creative approaches to solving problems. Those experiences have influenced her teaching, inspiring assignments centered on real-world sustainability challenges and startup development. Beneath the Surface For someone who works so hard to make learning relevant, pose real-world challenges and create meaningful community impact, Mao-Clark’s love of free diving makes perfect sense. It is more than a hobby. Given her passion for meditation, mindfulness and sustainability, it seems only natural that she finds peace in a place few people ever experience. “At 120 feet, everything dissolves into complete stillness, and there is only clarity and an overwhelming sense of oneness with everything that exists,” she shares. It is that sense of purpose, along with her impactful research and dedication to her students and community, that would make any daughter proud of the bold choices she has made to help create a future that is meaningful and rooted in intention. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 9

COLLEGE NEWS Executive Vineyards 2026 Raises $70K+ The Shidler College of Business Alumni Association raised more than $70,000 at the 26th Annual Executive Vineyards fundraiser, held March 5 at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. The signature event brought together approximately 600 alumni, business leaders, faculty, students and friends of the college for an evening of philanthropy, networking and community. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, sampled wines and spirits, participated in a lucky draw and placed bids through an online auction. The event was especially meaningful as it marked Shidler College’s Dean Vance Roley’s final Executive Vineyards in his role as dean. This year’s gala was co-chaired by Yosef Onodera, MBA ’22, and Adina Wakayama, BBA ’08. Spirits and wine were donated by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Hawaii and Beverage Marketing & More. Par Hawaii served as diamond sponsor and Pacific Business News returned as media sponsor.

School of Accountancy Strengthens Global Research Community The Hawai‘i Accounting Research Conference (HARC) was held at UH Mānoa Jan. 3–5. The ninth annual conference brought together more than 300 participants from around the world for three days of research presentations, discussion and collaboration. HARC is hosted by the School of Accountancy and conference co-chairs, Donald A. Corbin Distinguished Professor in Accounting and Director of the School of Accountancy Hamid Pourjalali and Associate Professor of Accounting Chris Park. This year’s event featured nine concurrent sessions and accepted 237 papers from

authors representing 121 universities in 20 countries. The Hawai‘i Accounting Research Doctoral Institute (HARDI) was held in June 2026. Now in its sixth year, this event supports the next generation of accounting researchers through a tuition-free institute for doctoral students. Mark your calendars for HARC 2027, which is scheduled for Jan. 3–5 at UH Hilo and will mark the conference’s 10th anniversary.

HICSS Convenes Global Leaders in Digital Systems The 59th annual Hawai‘i International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), which is hosted by the college’s Information Technology Management Department and conference chair, Professor of Information Technology Management and the Matson Navigation Company Chair of Global Business Tung Bui, was held at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa Maui, Jan. 5–9. The event convened more than 1,300 scholars, industry experts and policymakers from more than 42 countries. Widely recognized as one of the world’s premier forums on digital and sociotechnical 10

systems, HICSS featured research on artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital government, cybersecurity, healthcare systems and the future of work. The conference received 1,559 paper submissions, with 727 accepted. Mark your calendars for HICSS 2027, which is scheduled for January 2027 on Hawai‘i Island and will commemorate the conference’s 60th anniversary.

COLLEGE NEWS Flores Real Estate Lecture Series Spotlights Hawai‘i Housing The 2026 Flores Real Estate Lecture Series welcomed Tracy Tonaki, president of D.R. Horton Hawaii, for a discussion on “Building Homes for Hawai‘i’s Families.” Held March 24 at the Moana Surfrider, the event was moderated by Masato Itoh, MBA ’15, real estate instructor at Shidler College. Tonaki shared insights from her career in architecture and homebuilding, including her role in helping shape Ho‘opili, the state’s largest active master-planned mixed-use community. The annual lecture series is sponsored by Eddie Flores Jr., BBA ’70, and Elaine Flores, and reflects Eddie Flores’ longstanding passion for real estate, education and community impact.

Legacy Gala Raises $361K+ for TIM School Students The School of Travel Industry Management hosted its 24th annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala on March 31 at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. This year’s event raised more than $361,000 for student scholarships. Held during the TIM School’s 60th anniversary year, the event recognized leaders who have made lasting contributions to Hawai‘i’s visitor industry. The 2026 honorees were Elliot Mills, BBA ’93, CEO and managing partner of Hawai‘i Hospitality Group; Kylie Matsuda-Lum, BS ’01, managing director of Kahuku Farms; and ClimbHI, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students explore career pathways and prepare for the workforce. The event’s presenting sponsors were Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and Bank of Hawai‘i, with Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Kamehameha Schools, and Marriott International serving as contributing sponsors. The platinum sponsor was Daniel K. Hilton and the media partner was Hawaii Business Magazine.

SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 11

STUDENT SNAPSHOTS

1 | TIM STUDENTS TAKE ON SOUTH KOREA The Tourism Industry Management Student Association traveled to South Korea from March 14–22. Students conducted site inspections at Four Seasons, Sono Calm and T&M Tour, giving them firsthand exposure to the country's hospitality and tourism industry. During free days, students rented traditional hanboks, visited the love locks at Namsan Tower and sampled local cuisine.

2 | GLOBAL LEADERS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM KICKS OFF The Shidler Global Leaders Mentorship Program held its kickoff event Feb. 4 at the Walter Dods Jr. RISE Center,

bringing together five mentor-mentee pairs for their first meeting. Mentors represented a range of industries, giving students direct exposure to navigating professional careers. During the kickoff, participants had the opportunity to meet face-to-face, begin building professional relationships and expand their networks within the local business community. Mentor-mentee pairs continued to meet and collaborate throughout the semester, with the program running through April.

3 | TIM STUDENT ON THE MERRIE MONARCH STAGE TIM School student Masumi Iwai performed at the 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo in April, dancing alongside – members of Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalani –akea. Considered one of the world’s most

prestigious hula competitions, Merrie – Monarch draws halau from across the Hawaiian Islands and beyond. The annual festival, held in Hilo on the island of Hawai‘i, celebrates and perpetuates the art of hula through both kahiko and ‘auana competitions.

4 | GBSA HOSTS MIXER AT DAVE & BUSTER’S The Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA) hosted a mixer at Dave & Buster’s on Feb. 20, bringing together graduate business students for a casual evening of games, dining and networking. The event gave attendees an opportunity to connect with classmates and peers outside of the classroom setting. The mixer is part of GBSA’s ongoing efforts to build community and foster relationships

among graduate students throughout the academic year.

5 | BUSINESS NIGHT MARKS 65 YEARS The college hosted its 65th annual Business Night on May 7 at the Sheraton Waikiki, drawing more than 500 students and business professionals. The evening featured mentorship opportunities, student recognition and networking across a range of industries. Fifty-one sponsored awards totaling $122,500 were presented to outstanding students. Alumnus Mark Tawara, BBA ’91, principal of Manageability and CEO of Bright Light Digital, gave the keynote address. The event has provided opportunities for students to connect with Hawai‘i’s business community for more

than six decades. Students engage with professionals and celebrate academic and leadership achievements. Mahalo to presenting sponsor First Insurance Company of Hawaii and returning media sponsor, Hawaii Business Magazine.

6 | IBC AND SHIDLER CLUBS VOLUNTEER FOR GENKI ALA WAI PROJECT On March 8, the Inter-Business Council and fellow Shidler clubs volunteered to create “genki balls” for the Genki Ala Wai Project. Volunteers crafted the genki balls, which are mud-based spheres packed with beneficial microorganisms that work to reduce pollutants and support ecosystem restoration in the Ala Wai Canal. The project

is a community-driven initiative working to restore the health of the Ala Wai Canal through natural and sustainable methods.

7 | 2026 CFA SOCIETY HAWAI ‘I ETHICS CHALLENGE The 2026 CFA Society Hawai‘i Ethics Challenge was recently hosted at Shidler College. The winning team included Shidler students Anatoly Antipov, Mayu Miyata, Theresa Mae Pacada, Naomi L., Justin Chow and David Chong. The competition challenged students to analyze complex ethical dilemmas faced by finance professionals and emphasized the importance of principled decision-making in the industry. The teams were guided by Tray Spilker, associate professor of finance and Shidler Faculty Fellow. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 13

From venture funding to AI exploration, sustainability programming and founder showcases, the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) continues to expand opportunities for students across the University of Hawai‘i System.

1 | 2026 UH VENTURE COMPETITION PACE hosted the 2026 University of Hawai‘i Venture Competition this spring, spotlighting student entrepreneurs developing solutions in sustainability, health, technology and culture. Now in its 26th year, the event brought together more than 40 student teams from over 20 academic disciplines and seven UH campuses. Hawaiian Electric and Hawaiian Electric Industries served as title sponsors. The competition culminated on May 9 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center, where four finalist teams pitched to business and industry leaders for funding, mentorship and in-kind support. Makai Aquatics (Kent Glover, Jonah Sheridan and Sarah Benimana) won first place and a $10,000 prize. The venture produces captive - bred Hawaiian reef fish through a distributed network of home aquariums, aiming to address the supply gap created by Hawai‘i’s wild reef fish collection ban while supporting sustainable aquaculture. Paniolo, a natural skincare brand founded by entrepreneurship major Jaidon Mathews and communications major Cameron Holt, earned second place and $5,000. Hexcelerate, an AI-powered interview training platform founded by computer science students Lionel Derrick Roxas and Gabrielle Dang, placed third and received a $2,500 prize sponsored by HiBEAM in honor of pioneer Billy Richardson. Finalists also received coaching from entrepreneurs and industry professionals,

along with in-kind services from Pineapple Tweed, Blue Logic Labs, Vantage Counsel LLC and Hub Coworking Hawaii. This year’s judges included Meli James, Mateo Garcia, Michael Bennett and Ben Godsey.

2 | PACE LAUNCHES SUSTAINABILITY SERIES PACE launched its inaugural sustainability series this spring, offering workshops, funding opportunities and industry events focused on climate, environmental and community-based innovation. Presented in collaboration with the Student Sustainability Council at UH, Elemental Impact and the Hawai‘i

Leadership Forum, the series brought together students, founders and professionals working across sustainabilityfocused sectors. The series began in February with a hands-on kokedama workshop led by Aleta Corpuz of Ho‘ilina Arrangements. In March, PACE hosted “Profit With Purpose: Building Brands That Actually Matter,” a workshop on integrating sustainability into marketing, product development and brand strategy, followed by a networking session with founders from Elemental Impact’s network. PACE also opened a sustainabilityfocused round of its Kalo Grant program, sponsored by Avis Cheung, BBA ’73, and

PACE

Peter Cheung, BBA ’73, prioritizing ventures addressing environmental and social challenges. The series concluded in April with a Mahina Honua × PACE event in honor of Earth Month. The panel featured sustainability leaders including Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, CEO of Hawai‘i Green Growth, and Amelia Stucker, co-founder of Zingipop Sodaworks. “Sustainability touches every industry,” said PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama. “By bringing industry professionals and students into the same room, we are helping students see how their academic backgrounds can translate into impact-driven careers.”

3 | NEW AI INNOVATION PROGRAM TAKES SHAPE PACE launched its AI Innovation Program this spring, with a full rollout planned for fall. The program gives students space to explore the latest AI tools, build practical skills and apply an entrepreneurial mindset to emerging technology. A team of five cross-disciplinary students was recruited to help shape and lead the program. The team hosted an April 2 open house featuring live demonstrations of agentic AI and AI video generation, followed by a May 1 workshop on using academic-focused AI tools to prepare for finals.

4 | STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR PACE recognized computer science student Timothy Lum as the 2026 Student Entrepreneur of the Year, honoring his leadership and impact on UH’s entrepreneurial community. Lum participated in nearly every major PACE program, including PACE Leaders, Kalo

Grants and the UH Venture Competition. He also helped strengthen maker-space collaborations and supported new AI-focused initiatives.

5 | UH STUDENTS REIMAGINE MEADOW GOLD DAIRIES HAWAI‘I UH students helped reimagine an iconic local company this spring through Innovate 808, a fast-paced innovation competition hosted by PACE. Sponsored by Meadow Gold Dairies Hawai‘i, the challenge took place March 28 and April 4 at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. Students from across disciplines developed strategies to help Meadow Gold connect with new audiences, strengthen community engagement and explore fresh product and marketing ideas. Danielle Grace Banggo, a dietetics student at UH Mānoa, and Leticia Rodriguez Gutierrez, a liberal arts student at Honolulu Community College, won the $2,000 grand prize. Their “Community Growth Campaign” proposed using Meadow Gold trucks and vans at high-traffic venues, including the Honolulu Zoo and community marketplaces, with brand ambassadors engaging directly with families. “Innovate 808 taught me that your background doesn’t define your ability to make an impact,” Banggo said. “It encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, share your ideas and collaborate with others to create meaningful solutions.” Other student concepts included Lani Moo Milk Candy, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partnerships with UH athletes and POG 2.0, featuring updated bottle designs and new formulations for the company’s passion orange

guava juice. “I wanted to hear from the next generation and how they think of executing solutions and that’s exactly what happened,” said Kimia Sadeghi, sales and marketing manager for Meadow Gold. Innovate 808 is facilitated by Jeff Hui, entrepreneur-in-residence at PACE, and gives students from business, engineering, computer science, art, education, anthropology, food science and other disciplines the opportunity to apply research, creativity and teamwork to real-world business challenges.

6 | PACE LEADERS MAKE THEIR MARK The University of Hawai‘i featured two PACE Leaders this spring for achievements that reflect the growth, confidence and community built through the program. Andrea Murillo Martinez, an electrical engineering graduate and co-director of the Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund, became the first UH Mānoa student to receive the prestigious Stanford Graduate Fellowship to support her upcoming PhD studies. Chia Yun “Mercy” Cheng, BBA ’26, a Shidler marketing graduate from Taiwan,

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PACE

7 | ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIVE 2026

grew from a self-described introvert into the director of the Entrepreneurship Live program before launching her career in Hawai‘i. shidler.hawaii.edu/andrea-murillo shidler.hawaii.edu/mercy-cheng

This spring’s Entrepreneurship Live series connected UH students with local founders and business leaders whose ventures reflect Hawai‘i’s entrepreneurial spirit. The series is sponsored by Tony Bernheim in honor of Saul Reinfeld, Catherine Lynham and Alan Wong. Kyle and Josephine Wai Lin, the husbandand-wife team behind Please Come Again, shared how they transitioned from corporate tech careers into entrepreneurship and built a community around their Kailua ice cream shop. They also spoke about working together as partners and preparing to launch a new venture. Summer Shiigi, owner of Ten Tomorrow and Daily Whisk Matcha in Kaimuki, discussed her 25 years of retail experience and her approach to building values-driven businesses. Shiigi founded Ten Tomorrow, a modern resort wear line centered on quality and intentional production, and later launched Daily Whisk Matcha, which extends the in-store experience through traditional matcha prepared in modern ways. Ryan Sung, executive vice president of the family-owned Honolulu Cookie Company, shared how the business adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued expanding through wholesale partnerships and global distribution. Founded in 1998, Honolulu Cookie Company is known for its signature pineapple-shaped shortbread cookies.

8 | FOUNDERS & FRIENDS SHOWCASES STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS The Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center came alive on April 30 for the Spring 2026 PACE Founders & Friends Showcase, an

evening celebrating innovation, community and the next generation of student entrepreneurs. Alumni, partners and friends of PACE gathered to support students in the Spring 2026 PACE Entrepreneurs cohort as they shared ventures developed through mentorship, seed funding and accelerator programming. The cohort included Seagma, a fishing lifestyle clothing brand rooted in respect for the ocean, founded by Shidler student Manoarii Nakamura; SwimX, a platform helping competitive swim coaches create customized practice regimens, founded by Milan Bukovics; Source Scout, a software tool that evaluates the trustworthiness of online sources, founded by David Gieselman, Kimi Li, Lukas Moroz and Kelly Tam; and Hexcelerate, an agentic AI interviewer platform, founded by Gabriel Dang and Lionel Derrick Roxas. Alumni founders also took the stage. Kristen Serrano, a 2025 PACE Entrepreneur, spoke about building her island lifestyle brand, NeniMade, while balancing academics and life as a student athlete. Ann Choe and Susanne DeVore presented a live demo of GOALL, their task-based language teaching platform. The evening concluded with awards recognizing outstanding achievement. The first place PACE Entrepreneur ($5,000) award went to Manoarii Nakamura; second place PACE Entrepreneur ($2,500) was awarded to Source Scout; the David and Roselyn Yun Innovation Award ($1,000) went to Source Scout; and the Omnitrak Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award ($1,000) was given to Kristen Serrano. Mahalo to spring mentors Donald Fukumoto, Candide Krieger and Chris Lee, and to the friends and partners who continue to invest in Hawai‘i’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES

Community Connection Natalie Narito, BBA ’24, administrative and fiscal support specialist for the School of Travel Industry Management, recently performed as a chorus member in Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree with Hawai‘i Opera Theatre. The production marked the first fully _ staged opera in the world to debut in ‘Olelo Hawai‘i and also featured performances in English and French.

Honors & Recognition Wesley Fong, lecturer in the School of Travel Industry Management, was appointed by Governor Josh Green to serve on the Hawai‘i Sister- State and International Partnerships Commission. Established in 2025, the commission reviews, evaluates and initiates international agreements that support Hawai‘i’s economic, cultural, diplomatic and educational interests. Rick Kazman, Danny and Elsa Lui Distinguished Professor of Information Technology Management, was named to the ScholarGPS 2025 Highly Ranked Scholars list, recognizing scholars ranked among the top 0.05% of researchers worldwide based on lifetime achievement and significant impact in their fields.

Eddie Merc, instructor in the Information Technology Management Department, successfully completed the second edition of the LEAP- FAST Certificate Programme. An initiative by UNITAR and UNESCO, the program is designed to empower academic leaders, faculty, and administrators to integrate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into higher education.

Several Shidler College faculty and staff members were recognized at the Spring 2026 Staff and Faculty Appreciation Luncheon for their outstanding contributions to teaching, research and service: Dennis Ching Teaching Awards: Jian Zhou, Lloyd Fujie/Deloitte Foundation Distinguished Professor of Accounting; and Eddie Merc, instructor of Information Technology Management Shirley M. Lee Research Awards: Qianqiu Liu, Distinguished Professor and chair of finance; and Xiaodan Mao-Clark, assistant professor of Travel Industry Management Kaizen Award: Cara Sawai, Family Business Center of Hawaii program manager Dean’s Ka Pou Hana Award: Shannon Mark, senior graduate programs advisor

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FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES

Leadership in Action Bianca Mordasini, senior director of alumni and external relations, graduated from the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i’s 2025–2026 Onward Hawai‘i Fellows Cohort 1, a 10-month leadership development program. Supported by the Jordan, EMBA ’17, & Cara Odo Scholarship Foundation and Pacific Business News, the program focused on leadership development and cross-sector collaboration around Hawai‘i’s economic future.

FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES Research & Scholarly Impact The Journal of Sustainable Marketing, sponsored by Shidler College and led by Editor-in-Chief and William R. Johnson, Jr. Distinguished Professor Dana L. Alden, continues to gain momentum as a leading source of sustainability research and managerial insight. In 2025, the journal recorded 285 submissions — a 154.5% increase year- over- year — while maintaining a selective 7.7% acceptance rate. The journal also saw readership grow significantly, reaching more than 151,000 views in 2025. Yifan Chen, assistant professor of finance and real estate, recently coauthored the paper, “Firm Location and the ValueGrowth Premium,” with B. Ambrose and T. Simin. The article was published in the Journal of Empirical Finance, Vol. 87 (2026).

Boochun Jung, professor of accounting and Shidler College Distinguished Professor, recently published several scholarly articles. Recent work includes “Natural Disaster and Inventory Holdings,” with S.H. Cho, F. Silva and C. Yoo, published in The Accounting Review (2025); “Labor Skills and Income Smoothing,” with R. Kim, Y. Park and M. Noh, in the Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Finance (2025); “Customer Concentration and Income Smoothing Activities,” with R. Kim, S. Park and S. Yoon, in the Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Finance (2025); and “Labor Skill and Accounting Conservatism,” with J. Chen, Y. Jang and M. Noh, in the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy (2024).

Conferences, Collaboration & Impact Shidler College and the UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences recently co-hosted an international conference, called “The Race to Resilience: Firms, Statecraft,

and Strategic Competition in the Age of Geoeconomics.” The APEC Study Centers at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Hawai‘i co-organized the conference that brought together leading scholars and policy experts to examine economic statecraft, industrial policy, supply chains and global resilience amid an evolving geopolitical landscape. Tung Bui, Matson Navigation Company Chair of Global Business and information technology management professor, was Shidler College’s lead. The college once again sponsored the Asia Pacific Sustainable Marketing Case Competition. The 2026 competition featured eight university teams from Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, California and Hawai‘i, with Shidler College students earning third place under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Marketing Sylvia Chang. The competition case, centered on a Vietnamese highfashion startup, was developed by a Shidler College doctoral student in collaboration with faculty.

Shidler in the Media Jian Zhou was recently featured in a WalletHub article on budgeting strategies, where he shared expert insights on percentage-based budgeting and personal finance planning.

Jian Zhou, Lloyd Fujie/Deloitte Foundation Distinguished Professor of Accounting, coauthored “COVID-19 Pandemic and Audit Quality,” with B. Lin, L. Wu and Y. Zhang. The article was published in the British Accounting Review (2025).

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DONOR NEWS James Cavanah, CPCU, Endowed Insurance Scholarship Longtime Hawai‘i insurance leader Jim Cavanah has established the James Cavanah, CPCU, Endowed Insurance Scholarship at the Shidler College of Business to support students interested in pursuing careers in the insurance industry. Through this scholarship, Cavanah hopes to encourage more students to explore a profession that offers meaningful opportunities for growth, service and longterm success. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Cavanah has dedicated over four decades to the insurance field. He has been with Cavanah Associates since 1981 and has served as its president since 1998. He is also the former president of both the Hawai‘i CPCU Society Chapter and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Hawai‘i and currently serves as president of the Alakea Corporate Tower Board of Directors. Throughout his 47-year career as an underwriter, sales professional and manager, he has seen the impact the industry can have on individuals, businesses and communities. Cavanah credits his own successful career to his uncle,

Direct Admit Program (DAP) Scholarship Shidler College of Business alumni Ross Murakami, BBA ’87, and Dayle Murakami, BBA ’89, have established a Direct Admit Program (DAP) Scholarship to support students from Aiea, Waiakea, and Konawaena high schools. Inspired by their own educational journeys and deep appreciation for

John Cavanah, who encouraged him to consider insurance as a profession. Now, he is paying that guidance forward by helping students discover a rewarding and often overlooked career path. A Hawai‘i resident since 1981, Cavanah and his wife, Mindy Cavanah, have raised their three children in the islands and remain committed to supporting the next generation of local leaders.

Hawai‘i’s public schools, the Murakamis are committed to helping local students pursue higher education and achieve their goals. In addition to scholarship support, the couple has contributed to student clubs at Shidler College, recognizing the important role extracurricular involvement played in their own professional development. Their philanthropy reflects a passion for creating opportunities for Hawai‘i’s next generation of business leaders and giving back to the communities that helped shape their success.

DONOR NEWS New Distinguished Professorship Elevates Finance Research

“We sincerely hope this endowed professorship plays a key role in promoting academic research on Asia-Pacific financial markets. Our goal is for academic researchers globally to look up to the University of Hawai‘i’s research work. We see Shidler College playing a critical role in bridging mainstream research work in the United States and Asia-Pacific financial markets. - Ghon Rhee

Shidler College Finance Professor Ghon Rhee and Finance Professor Emerita Rosita P. Chang have established the Dr. S. Ghon Rhee and Dr. Rosita P. Chang Distinguished Professorship of Finance to support faculty scholarship and advance research on Asia-Pacific financial markets. The gift was inspired by their deep gratitude for the college, where both spent meaningful years as faculty members and felt supported in pursuing their academic interests. They also valued the unique opportunity to work in the same department as husband-and-wife scholars, something not always possible at other universities. Longtime members of the academic finance community and founding editors of the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Rhee and Chang have dedicated much of their careers to strengthening financial research across the Asia-Pacific region. Through this professorship, they hope to provide faculty with the resources to deepen their expertise, pursue impactful research and raise the profile of Shidler College’s finance program. “We sincerely hope this endowed professorship plays a key role in promoting academic research on Asia-Pacific financial markets,” Rhee shared. “Our goal is for academic researchers globally to look up to the University of Hawai‘i’s research work. We see Shidler College playing a critical role in bridging mainstream research work in the United States and Asia-Pacific financial markets.” For Chang, the gift also reflects the lasting connection they feel to the college’s people and culture. “Shidler College is a community filled with aloha,” she shared. “There’s a culture of looking out for one another and supporting one another within the faculty, which was invaluable during our time.” Rhee and Chang hope the professorship will attract motivated faculty, strengthen the college’s research reputation and inspire pride among students and alumni by highlighting Shidler’s contributions to finance scholarship beyond Hawai‘i.

Show your Shidler support If you’re interested in making a gift to the Shidler College of Business, know that every gift makes a valuable contribution to ensuring that the college can continue to perform at a level of excellence. When students are provided with valuable resources and support to stay on track, they are able to achieve academic and career goals. Please consider making a gift to our Shidler Advancement Fund. To learn more about making a gift through your will or trust, please contact Jennifer Lieu at jennifer.lieu@uhfoundation.org or (808) 956-3597. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 21

ALUMNI FEATURES

Bringing the

Table to the Farm

At Kahuku Farms, a TIM School alumna blends family legacy, hospitality and innovation to help sustain local agriculture for future generations

As a fourth-generation farmer, Kylie Matsuda-Lum, BS ’01, sees her role at Kahuku Farms as more than carrying on a family business. Located on Oahu’s North Shore, the farm represents more than 100 years of hard work, resilience and connection to ‘āina. Today, it has grown into a vibrant gathering place with a farm café, retail products and agritourism experiences rooted in food, community and local agriculture. “We often say that while ‘farm-to-table’ has become popular these days, in our case, we brought the tables to the farm,” she said. Matsuda -Lum, along with her husband and sister, saw carrying on the family farm as both an honor and a responsibility. They also understood that sustaining the business would require diversification. Farming in Hawai‘i comes with many risks, from rising costs and unpredictable weather to tight margins, infrastructure challenges and food waste. To keep the farm moving forward, they knew they needed to get creative. Opening the Farm Café at Kahuku Farms gave the family a way to reduce waste, highlight what they were already growing and turn imperfect produce into something meaningful and delicious. A bruised banana could become a smoothie, a curved eggplant could find its way into a veggie panini and extra lilikoi could become the family’s Lilikoi Butter, along with jams, dressings and chocolate made from cacao grown on the farm. Beyond offering fresh food and valueadded products, the family wanted to create connection. That passion ultimately became Kahuku Farms’ mission: connecting food, people and ‘āina through authentic farming experiences. Matsuda-

Lum says agritourism has become a meaningful way to share the story of local agriculture while helping create a more sustainable future for Kahuku Farms. “Local farms play a critical role in Hawai‘i’s food systems,” she said. “True sustainability means creating a business model where agriculture, education, community and stewardship can all support one another.” Matsuda-Lum’s commitment to Hawai‘i’s visitor industry was recognized earlier this year at the college’s annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala, where she was inducted into the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor. She said the honor was especially meaningful because it reflected not only her work, but also the work of her family and team.

She credits her TIM School experience with helping her build a strong foundation in hospitality, business and leadership. It also helped her see the value and potential in her family’s business. Although she understood the risks, she also saw the opportunity to grow Kahuku Farms in a way that honored its roots while creating something new. “Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to step into a leadership role and pursue ideas that weren’t always traditional, but felt authentic to our family, our farm and our vision for the future,” she said.

Turning Compassion into

Action

ALUMNI FEATURES

Alumna’s foundation helps her lead communications at the Hawaiian Humane Society

For Brandy Shimabukuro, BBA ’07, even the best-planned day can change in a minute. She may begin her morning focused on social media strategy, media relations or executive communications, only to shift gears when a cruelty case, emergency response or sudden influx of animals takes precedence. In those moments, her work becomes more than messaging. It becomes a way to build trust, inspire action and help animals across Oahu find care, safety and, ideally, a loving home. As director of communications and marketing at the Hawaiian Humane Society, Shimabukuro leads work across social media, graphic design, website management, media relations, crisis response and strategic campaigns for pets who are harder to place. The role blends storytelling, strategy and care in service of animals and the community. In many ways, the work is a natural fit. Growing up in Kaneohe, Shimabukuro’s pets were considered family members. After graduating from Shidler College and moving to San Diego, she found herself without a dog for the first time, which led her to volunteer with a rescue group. That experience grew into fostering, photography and social media support as she built a communications career with the Gaslamp Quarter Association and the City of San Diego. When an opportunity arose to return home and pair her profession with her love for animals, she didn’t hesitate. One of her most impactful campaigns was the opening of the Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili, a five- acre property with a 27,000 - square-foot shelter

dedicated to the behavioral, medical and socialization needs of thousands of animals each year. Shimabukuro says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is the part she often takes home: fostering. Through the organization’s Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, she volunteers with neonatal kittens that require around-the-clock care. Her Community Engagement team has also fostered nearly 40 dogs and cats in the office, giving pets who struggle in the shelter environment a calmer place to decompress. For Shimabukuro, watching those animals grow, heal and come out of their shells is when she feels closest to the organization’s mission. One of the most difficult aspects of her job is communicating the complexity of animal welfare with honesty and empathy. Shimabukuro’s approach is grounded in listening, transparency and trust, especially when issues are emotional or difficult to explain. Rather than oversimplifying the work, she aims to provide context, build understanding

and help the community turn concern into important action. “The most meaningful measure of success, for me, is whether the work we do changes what’s possible for the animals in our care and the community we serve,” Shimabukuro said. Looking back, Shimabukuro credits Shidler College not only for the business foundation that shaped her career, but also for the relationships and leadership experiences that stayed with her long after graduation. Her advice to students is simple: show up, get involved, take ownership and stay connected. For those wondering whether they need to leave Hawai‘i to find meaningful work, her path home offers another possibility. “You can have both roots and wings,” she said. “You can build an ambitious, meaningful career and contribute to the place you love most.”

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ALUMNI FEATURES

Flight

A Global Career Takes

An alumnus’ journey from Minnesota to Hawai‘i to Japan shows how language, persistence and global business experience can open doors across cultures

Isaiah Nichols–Floyd, MBA ’25, dreamt of Japan long before arriving in Honolulu to pursue his Global MBA at Shidler College. He was first exposed to Japanese culture as a child through video games, anime and film. As his interest grew, he decided to study Japanese in high school. Years later, he earned his undergraduate degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and began a career as an analyst for a software company with an office in Japan. Around the same time, he began to seriously research ways he could live and work in Japan and his longtime interest became a professional goal. After looking into graduate school options, he landed on Shidler College’s Global MBA because of its Japan track. A pivotal moment during his graduate studies was when he started a monthlong internship with Japan Airlines’ (JAL) Innovation Lab. It was his first time landing in his dream destination and provided the Japanese work and culture experience he was looking for. During his time at JAL, Nichols-Floyd developed a new business idea for the lab and handled research, strategy, statistical analysis and the final report and presentation. “The experience helped solidify my goal of living and working in Japan,” he said. During his time at Shidler, Nichols-Floyd also took Japanese language classes at UH Mānoa as required for the Global MBA Japan Track degree. This was an extremely valuable experience for him in preparing to move to Japan, along with completing his capstone project as a consultant with a local company. He says this experience helped him to apply coursework to realworld business situations while gaining practical experience. Nichols-Floyd is continuing to build on his

college experiences and is now employed full-time with SOLIZE PARTNERS in its Strategic Planning Department, where he works across global marketing and communications and corporate strategy. In his daily work, he collaborates with stakeholders in different regions and departments to create cohesive messaging across countries. He says although the language barrier can be a challenge at times, he appreciates his coworkers making an effort to speak with him and help him. “Studying abroad in Japan significantly improved my ability to work across cultures in a Japanese business environment,” he said. Nichols-Floyd credits Shidler College’s Global MBA Japan Track with helping him make the leap toward his Japan dream.

“Studying abroad in Japan significantly improved my ability to work across cultures in a Japanese business environment. - Isaiah Nichols - Floyd

The language courses, his study abroad experience and his capstone consulting project were all pillars that helped him build the cultural understanding, business skills and confidence needed to work across borders. In Japan, he continues to navigate language, communication and workplace culture with support from mentors, while building the international career he once imagined nearly 6,000 miles away in Minnesota.

ALUMNI FEATURES

Growing Hawai‘i’s Next Generation of

Leaders

Alumna helps young professionals build confidence, community and leadership skills

Kaya Ishimine, BBA ’24, has been on a career fast track since she was a student at Shidler College. She began working at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii while completing her undergraduate studies in marketing and management. After graduating, she was promoted to manager of marketing and of the Young Professionals (YP) Program, later rising to associate executive director. In July, just two years after graduation, Ishimine will step into the role of executive director of the program she was first drawn to for the opportunity to learn from high-achieving young adults. Along the way, she has helped strengthen a growing network of young professionals across the state while finding her own voice as an emerging leader. “No one knows young professionals better than young professionals,” she said. Ishimine’s daily work aligns closely with her background in marketing and management. She works across programming, social media, email, website management, graphic design, meetings and event coverage for both YP and the broader Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. Some of her most memorable projects include spearheading the chamber’s website redesign and helping launch YP Pizza and Pros, an initiative that brings the program directly to young professionals in their workplaces. She is also proud of the neighbor island committee that was started to bring the YP Program statewide, as well as the Onward Fellowship program, which connects members with leaders from different industries. Since the YP program first started in 2011, it has grown to more than 600 members. The program now includes 15 committees, giving members more opportunities to lead, serve and create programming that reflects their interests.

YP also runs a mentorship program that connects members with high school students, helping the next generation build confidence and long-term professional connections. For the past two years, Shidler College and the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i have also collaborated on joint networking opportunities that bring alumni and YP members together, creating space for mutually beneficial connections and engagement among Hawai‘i’s emerging business leaders. “Our goal is to empower young professionals to build the programs they want to see,” Ishimine said. Over the past four years, Ishimine has built strong relationships with members, board leaders and colleagues. She says the people she works with energize her, along with the creative freedom to turn ideas into reality. Early in her career, she has already been recognized for her impact, including being named a Pacific Business News Inno Under 25 honoree in 2025. Ishimine said the recognition was unexpected, but meaningful, and credits mentors and colleagues Lord Ryan Lizardo, vice president of education, and Tricia Fetui, chief operating officer and former executive director of YP, with helping her build confidence along the way. Looking back, Ishimine says Shidler College helped prepare her to step into leadership early in her career. Group projects and presentations taught her how to collaborate, communicate and share ideas with confidence, while her marketing courses shaped the way she approaches campaigns and event promotions. Her work with YP has also shown her the power of stepping into opportunities, even before she feels fully ready. As one colleague once told her, “the door is open, walk into it.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 25

ALUMNI SNAPSHOTS

1 | ASIAN FIELD STUDY ASSOCIATION GOLF TOURNAMENT The Shidler College Asian Field Study Association (AFSA) held its second annual golf tournament in April at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club, drawing 50 participants for a day of friendly competition and community support. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, including the K.K. Seo Family, Mi - Health, Ben Bystrom, AFSA, Spencer Dung, Chaney Brooks, HI Resolution Consulting, HSS and Kuleana Safety Solutions, more than $20,000 was raised for student scholarships. Tournament champions were Spencer Olson, top single; Bystrom and Jamie Dixon, top

twosome; and Robert Sherman, MBA ’07, Billy Shreve, Stanley Louis, MBA ’90 and Kiha Sai, MBA ’23, top foursome. This tournament continues to grow as a signature event supporting student success.

2 | SPRING ALUMNI GATHERINGS NEAR & FAR Shidler College strengthened its global alumni network through a series of spring events spanning Hawai‘i’s neighbor islands and Asia. Gatherings on Kauai, the Big Island and Maui in January and February brought neighbor island alumni together for networking and reconnection. These intimate gatherings gave alumni the opportunity to share professional updates,

forge new connections and celebrate the community that continues to define the Shidler College experience. In April, the college extended its reach across the Pacific with alumni mixers in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Combined, the events united more than 120 Shidler alumni and friends. In Tokyo, attendees heard from Daniel Chun, BS ’02, managing director of Hawai‘i Public Affairs and Sales for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, who spoke on how the airline merger is reshaping the future of travel, business and Hawai‘i’s local economy. These trips also marked Dean Vance Roley’s final round as the college’s dean and allowed attendees to connect with him and wish him well.

We want to showcase you on #FeatureFriday! We love to brag about the amazing achievements of Shidler College alumni on our social media channels @shidleralumni and @TIMalumniassociation. If you’d like to share news about a recent job appointment, promotion, professional recognition or celebratory moment, please get in touch with us so we can spotlight the great news on a future post. To share alumni announcements, please email Daralyn Komo at daralyn.komo@uhfoundation.org.

3 | TIM TIPS TUESDAY EQUIPS EARLY LEADERS The TIM Alumni Association held its TIM Tips Tuesday webinar Feb. 17, offering practical insights for first - time managers and emerging leaders navigating the early stages of their careers. Experienced industry professionals shared candid lessons on leadership, decision- making and building confidence in management roles. Featured speakers included Brandon Chu, BS ’08, general manager of Maui Country Club; Holden Lim, BBA ’89, president of Hospitality Link International, Inc.; and Mark Tsuda, BS ’85, executive director of ‘Ilima Leihano Senior Living.

The online session was hosted by Ren Hirose, BBA ’85, retired from Marriott and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

4 | RECENT ALUMNI GATHER FOR TRIVIA NIGHT Shidler College recent alumni came together for a night of friendly competition and reconnection at Beer Lab HI on March 18. Teams tested their knowledge across a range of topics while catching up with familiar faces and forging new connections. Taking home first place was the aptly named “People Who Work at Hotels” team, which included Eric Mok, BBA ’22, Natasha Lee, BS ’20, Ryan Nishizaki, BBA, BS ’24, Maria Calso, BS ’21, and Given Yagi, BS ’20.

5 | DEAN’S DINNER SPOTLIGHTS ALUMNI MENTORSHIP The Dean’s Dinner united alumni and community members for an evening honoring Hawai‘i’s next generation of business leaders. Held Feb. 19 at Canterbury Kitchen Cove, the event showcased two Shidler Alumni Association mentorship programs: the Shidler Transformational Acceleration Program and the Recent Alumni Mentoring Program. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. Students and mentors gathered to celebrate meaningful connections formed through both programs. SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 27

CLASS NOTES

Women Who Mean Business Congratulations to our alumnae who were honored as Pacific Business News 2026 Women Who Mean Business. There were 28 honorees recognized as leaders who have demonstrated excellence in business and their communities. We’re proud to celebrate Rhea Bautista, EMBA ’26, director, business strategy and growth, MDX Hawaii; Su Lazo, BBA ’06, workforce development program manager, City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization; Julie Nakayama, BBA ’94, chief financial officer, Kyo-ya Management Co. Ltd.; and Sandy Narvaez, BBA ’06, senior director of sales and marketing, Hawai‘i and French Polynesia, Marriott International.

Hawaii Business Magazine 20 for the Next 20 Hawaii Business Magazine named 20 accomplished professionals in its annual 20 for the Next 20 feature. This accolade recognizes emerging leaders from fields including business, law, education, government, health care and the nonprofit sector. Congratulations to Warren Altona, BBA ’06, EMBA ’11, executive vice president, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union; Trung Lam, MBA ’06, executive director, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Su Lazo, BBA ’06, workforce development program manager, City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization; Kaloa Robinson, BBA ’13, project manager and vice president, Stanford Carr Development; and Erin Uehara, MBA ’13, owner and chocolate connections officer, Choco Le‘a.

CLASS NOTES New Jobs & Promotions Jay Ana, BBA ’98, joined Tradewind Capital as portfolio operations executive. Christian Bowman, MBA ’22, was named creative services director at NMG Network. Kody Dominguez, BS ’23, was promoted to complex conference services manager at Highgate Hotels. Jill Eckart, BBA ’06, joined Hawaii Employers Council as vice president of growth. Artemio "Ricky" Hernandez, MAcc ’09, was appointed vice president of administration and finance and chief business officer at the University of Guam. Ryan Ko, BBA ’14, joined the Hawaii Restaurant Association as vice chairman. Grant Kubota, BBA ’99, MBA ’25, was promoted to executive director, wealth advisor at Morgan Stanley. Shannon Okinaka, BBA ’96, joined Make-A-Wish Hawaii as director of finance and administration. Billy Pieper, MBA ’04, was appointed senior vice president, director of commercial banking at American Savings Bank.

Tets Yamazaki, MPS ’96, was appointed general manager of Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. Eric Yeaman, BBA ’89, has been selected by the state Probate Court as the newest member of Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha’s Board of Trustees. Yeaman is the founder and managing partner of Hoku Capital LLC.

Other Notes Costas Theocharidis, BBA ’03, released “Warrior for Life II: Strength & Honor” on Dec. 7, 2025. The Amazon No. 1 bestselling sequel explores themes of leadership, values and resilience across life’s evolving arenas, including marriage, fatherhood, mentorship and entrepreneurship. Alexis Buchholz, BBA ’04, released “Why You’re Still Poor: And What to Do About It,” a practical guide to building financial stability and long-term wealth through disciplined decision-making and ownership thinking. Buchholz is the founder and managing partner of BFG Wealth Management in Dallas.

Awards & Accolades Darlene Blakeney, BBA ’85, MBA ’96, was honored at the YWCA Oahu’s 49th Annual Leader Luncheon. Awardees were selected for their embodiment of the organization’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through their work and service in the community.

Fion Lau, BS ’05, channeled her experiences as a mother into “The Courageous Forrest Brothers,” a children's book series exploring sibling relationships, growth and family life. The series currently includes three titles, with three additional books planned for release in the coming months. Lau is also developing “Safe and Smart,” a children’s activity series.

Congratulations Kathy Morimoto, BBA ’91, president and CEO of St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawai‘i, was recognized at the Breath of Motherhood Awards — Hawai‘i. Hosted by the LUNG FORCE Women's Cabinet, this annual event honors mothers who balance demanding careers and community involvement while raising funds for the American Lung Association.

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Colby Takeda with local members of the Pear Suite team.

Meet Colby Takeda, MBA ’16, CEO and cofounder of Pear Suite, an AI- enabled healthcare company supporting community health workers, doulas and community- based organizations. He oversees operations, marketing, sales, health plan partnerships and national expansion efforts. Prior to his current position, Takeda worked at Blue Zones Project and The Plaza Assisted Living. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Shidler College, as well as a master’s degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley, and his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University. Takeda resides in Honolulu.

Tell us about a day at the office. “In the early days, we had only a few employees. I was doing everything from onboarding new customers to providing direct services to community members in need. Today, we have over 60 employees, so I’m focused on building great teams, driving the company’s vision and working on creative ideas that could reshape how community-based healthcare is delivered and scaled. At the same time, there are still some tactical things that I still like to do, such as designing new marketing campaigns, mentoring student interns, and attending industry conferences.” What did Shidler teach you? “Shidler’s MBA program and opportunities through PACE gave me exposure to nearly every aspect of building and leading an organization. Shidler also gave me the confidence to think bigger. Growing up in Hawai‘i, it can sometimes feel like transformative innovation only happens elsewhere, but Shidler reinforced that it’s possible to build ambitious, nationally impactful companies while staying deeply connected to your community and values.” What are your current projects? “In addition to building all-in-one software to empower community health workers, doulas and nonprofit organizations, we're also launching the largest community-

based provider network, recruiting and upskilling thousands of frontline workers, and supporting millions of lives across our 50+ health plans contracts.” What made Shidler memorable? “Entering the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship's Venture Competition. Our company was called Pear at the time, and we had already started gaining traction with customers, funding and strong outcomes, so we were convinced we’d do well. Instead, we didn’t even qualify for the finals. It was the first major rejection we faced, and it became an important lesson in resilience. Since then, we’ve faced countless setbacks, but our ability to adapt, iterate and keep moving forward has been one of the biggest drivers of our growth.” What’s your favorite lunch? “It’s hard to beat a well-made bento or a plate of mochiko chicken, chow fun, kinpira gobo, shrimp tempura and cone sushi from a local okazuya.” What do you do to relax/destress? “Spending time with family, especially my nieces, has become one of my favorite ways to recharge. Recently, our family has been going on cruises together, exploring the world one port at a time. I also travel frequently for work and enjoy experiencing how different cities move and operate—

from the architecture and public transit systems to the neighborhoods, restaurants, and local culture.” What should students know? “I’d encourage students to say yes to opportunities, even when they feel uncertain or unconventional. Some of the most impactful experiences in my career came from taking chances on things that didn’t fit a traditional path. It's also important to invest in relationships early. Hawai‘i is an incredibly connected community, and the people you meet through Shidler, internships, jobs and professional organizations can become lifelong mentors, collaborators and friends.” How do you spend your free time? “I enjoy teaching and mentoring students and young professionals, especially those interested in healthcare, innovation and public service. It’s rewarding to help people discover opportunities they may not have initially seen for themselves, especially as career paths and industries evolve. I also enjoy volunteering with nonprofit organizations. I’ve served on local and national boards and I can honestly say this type of volunteerism has been one of the best ways to learn about leadership and organizational strategy, while scaling community impact.”

Central Pacific Bank (CPB) was founded in 1954 by World War II Nisei veterans who returned home after serving their country and encountered barriers to accessing financial services. Their experiences inspired them to establish an institution centered on providing greater equality and opportunity for Hawai‘i’s people. Today, more than 50 Shidler College of Business graduates work at CPB in positions throughout the organization. Alumni serve in a range of roles, from frontline specialists to members of the executive leadership team. Their presence reflects the many ways Shidler Business graduates contribute their education, professional experience and understanding of Hawai‘i to organizations across the state. Through this Alumni at Work feature, the college recognizes CPB alumni and their collective contributions to Hawai‘i’s business community.

Central Pacific Bank 1st Row L-R: Nona Dodds, BBA ’15, Digital Platforms Operations Lead; Shari Tamashiro, BBA ’17, Business Systems Analyst, Common Services Architecture; Dayna Matsumoto, BBA ’03, EVP, Chief Financial Officer; Cherie Martyn, EMBA ’02, VP, Asset Manager; Erin Jong, BBA ’11, Senior Underwriter; Ivy Kwong, BBA ’23, Business Intelligence Analyst II | 2nd Row: Shanynn Hamadon, BBA ’16, Senior Business Intelligence Analyst; Kyleen Pascual, BBA ’21, Compliance & Operations Officer; Kristian Lipumano, EMBA ’19, Universal Banker II; Mitzi Lee, BBA ’85, VP, Director of Financial Crimes Security; Frances Tarpey-Schwed, BBA ’23, Risk Analyst II; Brett D’Amato, BBA ’19, Organizational Development Administrator; JoAnn Pang, BBA ’24, Analyst II; Sara NakatsuYeung, BBA ’11, Small Business Loan Product Manager | 3rd Row: Joshua Acosta, BBA ’10, VP, Resolutions and Recovery Manager; Peter Tan, BBA ’23, Commercial Real Estate Underwriter;

Ethan Chai, BBA ’25, Underwriter I; Bronson Hakkei, BBA ’25, Universal Banker I; Rio Chopot, BBA ’25, IT Systems Analyst; Neal Gaspar, BBA ’13, Corporate Training Administrator I; AJ Glovasa, BBA ’25, Teller I; Matthew Pang, BBA ’99, Senior Analyst; Stanford Ono, BBA ’06, VP, Director, Branch Sales & Operations; Will Easter, MBA ’26, Application Security Program Manager | 4th Row: Ronald Pratap, BBA ’22, MSF ’25, AVP, Senior Portfolio Manager; Aleksandr Korelin, MBA ’12, Investment Manager; Jayrald Rabago, BBA ’12, VP, Senior Strategic Financial Officer; BJ Ramel, BBA ’25, Product Management Analyst; Liuone Faagai, MHRM ’09, EVP, Chief People Officer; Luke Kudray, BBA ’12, SVP, Underwriting & Portfolio Management; Raoul Magana, MBA ’11, Group SVP, CRE & Wholesale Credit; Eric Lau, BBA ’05, MBA ’10, VP, Controller; Carson Young, BBA ’16, AVP, Private Banking Officer II; Michael Kim, BBA ’03, VP & Business

Banking Team Member Not Pictured: Navech Vianna Bradshaw, MBA ’23, Senior Financial Reporting Analyst; Scott Hino, BBA ’95, Director of Financial Reporting; Kisan Jo, EMBA ’19, EVP, Retail, Wealth & International Markets; Taylor Kirihara, BBA ’05, SVP, Commercial Banking Senior Manager; Carrie Li, BBA ’17, Financial Reporting Officer; Patrick Matsumoto, BBA ’99, MBA ’05, VP, Commercial Real Estate Manager; David Morimoto, BBA ’91, Vice Chair, Chief Operating Officer; Renee Nakagawa, BBA ’97, Senior Administrative Assistant; Alen Ngai, BBA ’13, AVP, Financial Reporting and General Ledger Manager; Anthony Paupe, BBA ’98, Interim Branch Manager I; Kevin Sakamoto, BBA ’93, Group SVP, Wealth Management; Rachel Sokugawa, BBA ’09, MBA ’15, AVP, Community Program Manager; Bob Yee, BBA ’97, Group SVP, Branch Banking Division Manager

cpb.bank SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | 31

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OVER

$1.37M

$238M donated by, BBA ’68,

JAY H. SHIDLER

1ST

Largest donation to UH

2ND Largest gift to U.S. public university business school

45K+

Alumni worldwide

90.1%

AWARDED

to 300+ undergraduate and graduate students

500

OF GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED

STUDENT INTERNSHIPS

or pursue advanced degree within three months of graduating

Hawai‘i, continental United States and international

TOP

RANKED

nationally for international business programs Only AACSBaccredited graduate business program in Hawai‘i

DIRECT ADMIT PROGRAM (DAP) 2025 COHORT

RANKED 12TH 32ND

Nationally

Globally

Faculty

RANKINGS 12TH 18TH

Nationally

Globally

Shanghai Ranking 2025

52%

48%

3.93

Female students

Male students

Median GPA

150+

185+

2024-2025 data

Activities

Volunteers

$270K+

150+

750+

Awards and scholarships

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