Movers and Shakas’ Board of Directors congratulated and celebrated 22 graduates of Cohort 8 for completing HITOP.
Business and Civic Leaders Strengthen Their Connection to Hawai‘i Through Cultural Immersion and Community Engagement
Twenty-two professionals from across Hawai‘i’s business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors have completed Cohort 8 of the Hawai‘i Talent Onboarding Program (HITOP), a six-week experience designed to help newly relocated and returning kama‘āina leaders integrate more meaningfully into Island life.
Hosted by Movers and Shakas, HITOP equips participants with cultural knowledge, community context, and leadership tools to foster deeper relationships and shared stewardship in Hawai‘i. The program culminated in a closing ceremony, where graduates reflected on their journey and celebrated their strengthened sense of kuleana and belonging.
“HITOP goes beyond a traditional onboarding program and bridges both professional leadership and cultural responsibility,” said Nicole Lim, Executive Director of Movers and Shakas. “We’re proud to support organizations that recognize the value of cultural fluency in building effective, respectful workplaces and communities.”
Since its inception in 2022, HITOP has welcomed 197 leaders across eight cohorts, representing a wide range of industries and organizations. Participants have lived in Hawai‘i for anywhere from a few weeks to several years, and many companies have continued to enroll leaders in successive cohorts.
COHORT 8 HIGHLIGHTS:
- Three community workdays with Ka‘ala Farm, Hale Kipa, and The Pantry by Feeding Hawai‘i Together
- Leadership development workshops and cultural sessions with partners including Leadership Works, ‘Iolani Palace, and Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
- Talk-story engagements with respected community voices such as Senator Stanley Chang and Josh Wisch (Holomua Collective)
MEET THE GRADUATES OF COHORT 8:
These individuals represent a diverse cross-section of Hawai‘i’s leadership landscape:
| COMPANY | GRADUATE | TITLE |
| Booz Allen Hamilton | Victoria Boren | Senior Associate |
| Catholic Charities Hawai‘i | Anh Nguyen | Chief Operating Officer |
| City and County of Honolulu | Glenda Aragon | Chief of Treasury |
| City and County of Honolulu | Sasha Breland | Deputy Medical Examiner |
| Hawai‘i Pacific Health | Dr. Matthew Gadbaw, MD | Chief of Hospital Medicine |
| Berkeley Gadbaw | Partner | |
| Hawai‘i Pacific Health | Dr. Tumaini Coker, MD, MBA | Chief of Pediatrics, HPH and UH JABSOM |
| Hawai‘i Dental Service | Vinh Tran | Director of Dental Consultants |
| Hawai‘i Pacific University | Amy Nguyen-Chyung | Dean, College of Business |
| Hawai‘i Pacific University | Jeffrey Rich | VP of Marketing and Communications |
| HMSA | Ben See | VP of Treasury & Investments |
| Kahala Nui | Lilly Schloeder | Director of Marketing & Communications |
| Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i | Lt. Col. Andrew Koch | Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion |
| Outrigger Hospitality Group | Joseph Mauricio | Senior Sales Manager |
| Southwest Airlines | Regiane Santos | Regional Manager, Hawaiian Islands |
| Teach for America | Caroline Epstein | Teacher, Kawananaoka Middle School |
| Teach for America | Hannah Butts | Teacher, DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach |
| Temple Emanu-El | CJ Mays | Rabbi |
| University of Hawai‘i System | Kim Siegenthaler | Senior Advisor to the President |
| Young Brothers | Bram Welsh | Chief Financial Officer |
| Sarah Welsh | Partner | |
| Zippy’s Restaurants | Meaghan Saylor | Product Manager |
VOICES FROM THE COHORT
“HITOP gave me a deeper appreciation for Hawai‘i’s cultural values and how they shape leadership and community relationships,” said Kim Siegenthaler, Senior Advisor to the President, University of Hawai‘i System. “Learning directly from local voices provided me with valuable insight which will stay with me as I continue my work across the University of Hawai‘i System.”
“The HITOP program provided an exceptional foundation for living and working in Hawai‘i—one grounded in connection, relationships, and purpose,” said Dr. Tumaini Coker, Chief of Pediatrics at Hawai‘i Pacific Health Medical Group and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine. “Through HITOP, I have gained a deeper understanding of the unique history, values, and communities that shape the families and keiki of Hawai‘i.”
“Participating in HITOP provided a deeper appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s rich history and the deep connection its people have to the land and one another,” said Bram Welsh, Chief Financial Officer at Young Brothers. “For me, HITOP reinforced the importance of listening, humility, and making decisions rooted in place values that are vital for earning trust and building lasting relationships. As Hawai‘i’s lifeline for inter-island shipping, this perspective helps us serve our communities with greater respect, responsiveness, and a deeper understanding of what matters most to the people who rely on us every day.”
PROGRAM IMPACT
Survey data from previous cohorts show:
- 100% of participants gained a stronger understanding of Hawai‘i’s host culture
- 90% reported feeling more at home in Hawai‘i
- 94% developed a deeper sense of shared stewardship
- 90% saw improvements in workplace effectiveness and belonging
ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR SPRING 2026
HITOP’s next cohort launches in Spring 2026. Organizations and individuals interested in participating can learn more and register at www.moversandshakas.org/enroll.
About Movers and Shakas
Movers and Shakas is a non-profit that runs place-based, community orientation programs designed to empower and retain recently relocated key talent to learn, contribute and connect in their new home, Hawaiʻi. For more information on the Hawaii Talent Onboarding Program and other programs, visit www.moversandshakas.org.