What do the most successful people you know have in common?

The most successful folks I know are driven by a core value system of integrity, excellence, grit and fun. They do their best to conduct themselves and treat others with grace and compassion in both their personal and professional lives. They know how to laugh at themselves and enjoy a glass of wine or two!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I received was from Susan Yamada a few years ago during a challenging period at work. She first listened to my perspective and then said, “Grow some balls!” After the initial shock wore off, I realized, as always, that she was right. So I began to stand up for myself and, lo and behold, the situation changed 180 degrees. It was not an easy process, but so very worthwhile. Today, I continue to stand up for myself and try to encourage others to do the same, including my nine-year-old daughter.

Name a skill you’ve learned to master.

Some say that I’m talented in impersonations! But in terms of professional skills, I would say my strengths are analysis and persuasion. My first love was science, so I approach most opportunities and challenges in a scientific manner. I can be quite persuasive using this approach. “Yes” is my favorite word!

What has been your biggest initiative as a board member and leadership committee chair at the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership?

It is a great privilege to serve on the board of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership at the YWCA of O‘ahu.  As chair of the leadership committee, I, along with my fellow board members, support the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance’s goals of “raising the tide” and “widening the road” for women leaders. Our heroic effort to design and launch this program is one of the most profound endeavors I have been a part of. With trainings on emotional intelligence, negotiation, design thinking, change leadership and more, we strive not only to educate and empower but, moreover, create a safe tribe of women leaders who can laugh, cry and support each other in good times and bad.

What could more women be doing to advance their careers? 

If I could wave a magic wand, I would erase doubt, self-criticism and judgement of other women. We are our own worst enemies and sometimes each other’s worst enemies! This is not a zero-sum game—we can all be successful in our own way. I would also erase the idea of perfection and balance because there is none. It’s about being present.

If money were no object, how would you spend your philanthropic dollar?

Without any hesitation, I would invest in the gift of education. I know firsthand what education can do to elevate someone’s life. I am the only child of a middle child of nine who did not even get the opportunity to go to high school because she was born female. I stand here now with not only a bachelor’s degree in microbiology but also an MBA. 

I am the first in my entire family to attend college, and scholarships are what afforded me that privilege. In my day to day, I get to live quite the dream of paying it forward as we raise private funds for Shidler students to change the course of their lives through education.