What are some hard lessons you had to learn in becoming a female powerhouse?

There have been so many lessons and here are some of them:

Not to allow anyone to take my power away by breaking my self-confidence and making me question my own abilities.

To stand up for my values even if it may place me in a compromising position.

That sometimes I’ve got to toot my own horn—I learned this from a boss of mine. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, especially being raised here in Hawai‘i where the culture promotes modesty and people are humble. However, if done right, tooting can be done with humility.

That the only person that has control of my career success and achieving my life goals is me.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments in this career?

I actually have two!

1) Leading a team to successfully close Waikiki Parc Hotel in October 2018, a 30-year-old operation—that upheld its promises to our guests, our partners and the community on delivering service excellence even up to the very last day—and leading a team in the successful opening of Waikiki’s newest luxury boutique hotel, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani; both accomplished within a one-year time frame. It was certainly the most challenging period of my entire career; yet, it was also the most rewarding.

2) Founding Hawai‘i Women in Lodging and Tourism, an organization that welcomes women to aspire, inspire and thrive in my industry, and empowering members to be the best they can be by sharing knowledge, openly welcoming knowledge and using their knowledge to make a positive impact in their careers and those of others.

What wardrobe choices make you feel the best in your workplace on the day-to-day?

Clothes that make me look and feel professional and feminine, flattering and, more importantly, comfortable. I believe that, if you feel good about how you look, your best self shines.

What do you do for self-care?

I schedule “pamper me” day once a month. It’s a day I look forward to a mani pedi and a massage and facial—yes, all in one day! Enjoying me time is a reward to myself.

How do you overcome fear?

My fear is usually a result of doubting myself. Therefore, to overcome it, I have learned to ask myself, “but what if?”

But what if I didn’t apply for those college internships that took me abroad and allowed me the wonderful experiences of working in the hotel operations of prestigious hotels in Macau, China and Makati, Philippines?

But what if I didn’t sign up for that management training program that eventually landed me my first management position less than a year after college graduation?

But what if I didn’t take the suggestion to “just go for it” from a mentor whom I now credit for getting me to the position I am in now, as General Manager?

But what if I didn’t listen to the advice of a peer to think about launching Hawai‘i’s Women in Lodging & Tourism, which is now going on 5 years strong and has a growing membership of over 400 terrific women?

But what if I didn’t take a chance and accept the invitation to serve as an officer and sit on the board of Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, which ultimately opened up so many doors for me in my career?

That one question has served me well.