Describe me in three words:
Strength, flexibility, growth.

How has my career shifted in the 2020 pandemic?
When the pandemic hit, I was in my third year of growing my coaching business, Bambooshoot, and I also took on a full-time job as a program director for Our Kupuna.

Via a network of volunteers, Our Kupuna, a nonprofit organization, provides essential items to kupuna throughout Hawai‘i.

In June 2021, I had two hip surgeries and during recovery I had time to really step back and reassess what I was doing to grow Bambooshoot.

At this same time during the height of the pandemic, a new light was cast on social disparities in our country. We saw a rise of mental health issues with depression and anxiety, racial inequality, and conflict. And due to that increase in awareness of negative social conditions, the pandemic served as an incubator for the services Bambooshoot provides.

Also during this time, I created two consulting pathways for businesses:

1) Dispute Resolution Program: A customized conflict resolution package through training, coaching, meeting facilitation, and interoffice mediation

2) Volunteer Management: A support system for nonprofits with volunteer program management

So, simply put, my self-reflection while healing from hip surgery and then developing programs to match what businesses really need in terms of training, coaching and mediation led directly to the clarity I was seeking in building Bambooshoot. That bamboo took root, so to speak.

Currently, I am a consultant for Our Kupuna as well as another nonprofit, Family Programs Hawaii. I am also an instructor for the Hands In Helping Out Education (HIHOED) program. In addition, I am creating a dispute resolution system for an accounting firm and looking for other businesses that want to learn how to develop amazing collaboration with their staff and leaders.

How do you manage stress and self-care?
I think people who know me would say that I volunteer as a way to de-stress and that is true. Being hands-on or being in meetings to help out an organization has been very fulfilling. I love to hang out with my husband, adult children and friends. Every day I pray, drink water, learn something new, and take breaks for self-care.

Did you always want this career track?
When I was eight, my father gave me a real stethoscope that I still have. He said that I would help people. I didn’t know what I would do, and my path had many twists and turns to get to where I am now. But I believe mediation and coaching can work to heal relationships and individuals. So, in a sense, I have my own inner stethoscope to monitor what clients may need for their well-being.

What are the proudest moments of your career?
Honestly, it’s when I can help people get to a place of peace and healthy dialogue. I feel confident in my ability to do that by being fully present with each client and company.

If you could look into a crystal ball, what would you want to know about your future?
In business, I would want to know that people are carrying out the practice of making peace. In life, I would want to know my children are healthy and have fulfilling careers while contributing to the community.

Biggest regret of my career?
Staying in organizations that were not a good fit.

What would you say to your younger self?
It’s all good.