OWL Members support each other through personal and professional development.
New Member Profiles
Please join us in welcoming our newest members to the Organization of Women Leaders.
Molly Schmidt is an innovative leader who excels at coalescing teams to their highest potential while exemplifying agility and empathy in her approach to excellence. Molly has 21 years of experience working with international NGOs and community-based nonprofits domestically and globally. Molly serves as the Regional Chief Operating Officer and the Chief of Staff for the American Red Cross in the Pacific Islands Region. Molly has served in senior leadership roles with the Girl Scouts of Northern California and as Chief Operating Officer for Girl Scouts of Hawai`i. Under Molly’s leadership at the American Red Cross, she champions the idea that service shapes us into better leaders and better members of the community. Her relentless efforts to increase team performance, streamline operational efficiency, and impact communities’ disaster preparedness, response, and recovery highlight the importance of harmony and bridging connections between people to achieve a shared vision of community readiness.
Molly is active in the community as Secretary and president-elect of the Windward Rotary Club of Oahu in Kailua and is a (soon to be) Cohort 9 graduate of the YWCA Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance. She is a Troop Leader for Girl Scouts of Hawai’i’s Troop 193 and serves on the grant review committee for the Women’s Fund Hawai’i. Molly is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She is a Hawaiʻi resident and lives with her partner of 22 years, 2 teenage kids, a black cat, and a golden retriever. She loves to travel, play board games and backpack.
Dr. Kanoe Nāone
Dr. Kanoe Nāone is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in nonprofit management, education, and community engagement. With two decades of CEO experience, she is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Girl Scouts of Hawai'i, a position she assumed in January 2024. Since starting at Girl Scouts, Dr. Nāone has focused on empowering young girls, fostering leadership, and expanding the organization’s reach across the Hawaiian Islands. She brings a unique perspective, combining her deep-rooted understanding of local culture with her passion for nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Kathy Custer
Kathy Custer has owned and operated Aloha Sitters for 18 years. With over 800 childcare professionals, Aloha Sitters provides group childcare services for special events in 6 states (HI, AK, TX, KS, MO & TN). She is now launching a new division called On-Call Kupuna Care. Offering as-needed hourly support services to the senior community on Oahu. Ms. Custer co-wrote and illustrated a children’s finance book with her two business partners (pictured to the right). Do You Have A Money Monster? was published this past November. It is a guide showing children ages 7-12 years old how to use money as a tool to reach their lifestyle goals.
Francel L. Visini
Francel L. Visini is a dynamic financial executive known for leading complex transformations, optimizing operations, and driving organizations to new levels of success. Born and raised in France, she built a global career across the U.S. and Europe, proving her resilience, adaptability, and ability to lead in high-pressure environments. As Director of Fiscal Services at Shriners Children’s Hawaii, Francel oversees financial operations, strategic planning, and business transformation, ensuring fiscal strength while advancing innovation. She collaborates closely with the Board of Governors and senior leadership, shaping financial strategy and long-term sustainability.
Rachel Wagenman
Rachel Wagenman is a writer and digital marketing specialist with a passion for storytelling. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing & Communications at her alma mater, La Pietra – Hawai‘i School for Girls, where she is proud to support the school’s mission of educating young women to lead a life of purpose. In addition, she is the editor of Outrigger Canoe Club’s Ama Magazine.
Danette Nelson
Danette Nelson is a corporate finance executive and university professor offering over 20 years of experience. Danette is an accomplished and detail-oriented business professional with a diverse background spanning financial operations management, administrative leadership, and project coordination. With a strong foundation in both private and public sector environments, Danette brings a unique blend of organizational insight, team collaboration, and process improvement expertise.
Jamie Champagne is a dynamic technology and business analysis expert, renowned for her engaging approach to process improvement, project management, and leadership development. As the founder of Champagne Collaborations, Jamie has dedicated her career to helping organizations maximize the value of their IT investments, optimize business processes, and foster collaboration in the digital age. An acclaimed speaker, trainer, and author of Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis, 2nd Edition, she is a recognized thought leader in Agile, business analysis, and change management. Jamie’s impact extends globally through her LinkedIn Learning and Pluralsight courses, equipping professionals with the skills to drive innovation and efficiency. Passionate about empowering women leaders in technology and business, Jamie brings her signature energy and expertise to the OWL community.
Crystal DeRosier is the marketing manager for Halekulani and Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani and is passionate about building community and focus to uplift the arts and culture of Hawai’i. In her role she is active in creating ways for guests visiting the islands to engage with the community and foster memories and understanding they can bring home with them.
Prior to her time in Hawaii, Crystal worked in the Marketing Division at Walt Disney Studios, where she designed and produced large scale events and film premieres including Frozen and Avengers, overdressed the White House for Halloween in 2011 and was on the development team for The Muppets. She additionally has worked as a freelance Creative Director, Art Director, Designer, Photographer, and Marketing/PR consultant for Marvel, Dreamworks, HP, Manaola, Hawaii Natural Medicine and Amlou Living among others.
In her spare time, she is a metalsmith creating bespoke, artisan handmade jewelry using traditional techniques and sole proprietor of her online shop, Crystal Rose Design. She is also a fine artist and sculptor, recently completing an artist residency in France and currently developing a body of work in oil paintings and copper.
Naomi Hazelton is an accomplished media entrepreneur and community leader, renowned for her contributions to Hawaii's business and publishing landscape. As the Owner and Founder of Pacific Edge Media, and Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of Pacific Edge Magazine, Naomi has dedicated nearly two decades to highlighting Hawaii’s entrepreneurial leaders. Naomi co-founded Element Media, Inc. and launched Pacific Edge in 2005. Recognized with numerous awards, including the SBA Woman in Business Champion, Naomi is passionate about fostering community through innovative networking events, positive media projects, and empowering local businesses. Her impact extends through active involvement in various community initiatives across Hawaii.
Teré Aceves is the Director of Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Services at La Pietra— Hawai'i School for Girls. Teré has over two decades of experience advancing independent education. With extensive experience in advancement, community building, communications, and enrollment, she brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is deeply passionate about her family and pets, boasting three beloved dogs. Additionally, she is dedicated to sustainability and is the proud founder of Before1907, a zero-waste company. In her spare time, she finds joy in reading and delving into the intricacies of human connections.
With a dynamic forty-year career in education management, Dana Vela has demonstrated exceptional leadership in organizations that provide high-quality early childhood education. Her focus on engaging teachers through recognition, compensation, team-building, and culture-building has been instrumental. As the President and CEO of Kama’aina Kids, a Hawaii nonprofit organization, Dana leads a team dedicated to the care and education of 6500 children and 700 staff. Dana is married to her husband of 33 years and has three adult children.
Laura Guinn-Hall is currently an AVP, Sr. TPA Specialist, Complex Claims with Zurich NA. She is an experienced insurance professional and leader with over 25 years of experience. In addition to this role, Laura is a Certified Career Coach.
Laura is an active member of Zurich Employee Resource Groups to include Latinos Unidos for Zurich where she serves the National Co-Lead, Emerging LeaderZ, and the Women’s Innovation Network. She served as the WIN West Region Co-Lead from 2022-2024.
Additionally, Laura currently serves as the Board of Directors - Fund Chair and Treasurer of Women United – Aloha United Way which focuses on education, poverty prevention and safety net, the building blocks for a better life for women and families within Hawaii. Laura has a strong passion for education and initiatives that involve the community, women and children.
Laura and her husband, Tim reside in Honolulu, HI with their dog Boris. They love to travel and learn about different cultures and food throughout the world.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Sam Houston State University.
Christina Tang brings over 15 years of event production experience to her role as the Director of Events at Gourmet Events Hawaii, a full service event planning company. Originally from NYC, she made the move to Oahu in 2021 and has since called Hawaii home. She has received awards throughout career, including the Top 30 B2B Marketers Running Events to Drive Revenue in 2023. During her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband and 4-year-old son, while also giving back to the community as a Make-a-Wish Hawaii Ambassador.
Monique Wedderburn is the Program Manager for the Pacific and Virgin Islands Training Initiatives (PITI-VITI), collaborating with eleven insular governments on training and performance plans. She excels in program development, relationship building, and capacity building, enhancing PITI-VITI's visibility and fostering strong government ties. Previously, she worked at the University of Texas at Dallas, the East-West Center in Hawaii, and other institutions, focusing on the Asia Pacific region. Her formative years were spent in Mexico, Zaire (now the Democratic Republicof Congo), Pakistan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
Mary Despe helps professionals who feel unseen and undervalued in the workplace develop a strategy to succeed in their career pursuits. With nearly 20 years as a recruiter hiring technical talent for global companies, Mary offers insight as a hiring ‘insider’ to those looking to advance their careers. Mary has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Community Voice for Interviewing and as a Talent MVP. She is passionate about helping others succeed professionally and in their authentic style. She has delivered workshops for the Society of Women Engineers, Project Management Institute, Women Leadership & Empowerment Conference, and has contributed career and personal branding articles.
Aries Jackson is Executive Director of Common Grace. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the youngest out of 6 children, Aries is the daughter of a diplomat who travelled to many countries throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia. She now uses her experience, passion and education for counselling to create relationships between the community and lonely children. She believes personal youth mentoring and counselling creates a safer environment for Hawaii’s youth. Aries has overseen over 3000 volunteers since 2014 and continues to be proactive in the recruitment of new members as well as manage the mission statement for Common Grace and its programs, Malama Mentors and Mohala Mentors.
Dina Tsuda is the Senior Vice President of Business Strategy for Title Guaranty Hawaii, the oldest and largest title and escrow company in Hawaii. She was born and raised on Oahu. She attended Iolani High School, Loyola Marymount University and obtained a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University. She has a passion for instructional design and organizational development. As part of her leadership role at TG, she oversees Sales & Marketing, Learning & Development, and Organizational Development. Prior to life at TG, Dina also worked for Kaiser Permanente and Business Solution Technologies (BST).
Sandra Benevides has worked with CVS Caremark as a Strategic Account Executive under their Pharmacy Benefit Management division since 2012. She manages two major clients in Hawaii for the organization and is responsible for sales, contract management and pharmacy services providing benefits to over 150K members in the state. Prior to joining CVS Caremark, Sandra worked at Kaiser Permanente and has more than 25 years of experience in health care sales, marketing and health benefit management.
Ka’ili Trask O’Connell –owner of Ka’ili Executive Leadership & Coaching was born and raised in Kailua and graduated from Punahou School. She earned her BSBA at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and invested the first 15 years of her leadership career with national companies in Los Angeles, Chicago, and St. Louis. She returned home to Hawai’i in 2004 and has worked at Mid-Pacific Institute, Title Guaranty, Locations, and has most recently started her own leadership company. Aside from time with her family, she also teaches hula at Puka’ikapuaokalani Hula Halau and offers leadership and coaching training at Egan’s Bootcamp in Kailua.
Shaylah Nichols, MSW, LSW is the Director of Social Work at A Family Tree. Originally from New York, Shaylah received a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science from Syracuse University and a Master of Social Work from Columbia University. She worked at a nonprofit in New York for 2 years delivering programs to pediatric patients in the tri-state area while also creating a foundation in Uganda that helps young women start small businesses using skills they receive through a vocational program. She has been working at A Family Tree since 2020 and helps clients throughout Hawaii grow their families through adoption.
Lorraine Nakasone is a Principal for Health & Benefits in the U.S. West for Mercer. She has 22 years of experience in employee benefits consulting assisting employers in Hawaii by developing strategic plans designs for employee benefit programs. Prior to Mercer, she worked with Brown & Brown Pacific Insurance, Servco Pacific Insurance and Aon Consulting. Lorraine is a graduate of the University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business with a Bachelors Degree in Business & Marketing.
Theresa Hart, JD, is a graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a graduate of Boston University School of Law. She practiced law for many years before transitioning into healthcare administration (Queen's Hospital, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, various Elder Care facilities). Currently, she serves as the Director of Culture and Operations at Oii, Inc., a software development company which uses Artificial Intelligence to help companies manage their supply chain. Theresa is also the Managing Director of Hart-Rogers Media, which publishes, promotes and provides speakers on the topics of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Supply Chain.
Patti Takayama is a Realtor and Partner of Locations Hawaii. She has been awarded Partner of the Year, Partner with Most Transactions, Partner with Most Closed and "The Legend Award”. While she has achieved many career milestones through work and service, she values the friendships gained along the way.