These are proving to be challenging times and while we could not meet in person, we were determined to connect with you all. We were honored to have Amanda Ellis as our guest speaker to kick off the first of our webinar meetings in May.
Amanda is the Executive Director, Hawaii and Asia Pacific and Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability. Amanda found home in Hawaii when she was a student on scholarship at the UH Manoa East West Center. She described her love and connection with Hawaii as a guiding force for her growth, professionally and personally. “Aloha spirit is the forefront of what we need and what we need in women’s leadership.”
Did you know that less than 7% of country leaders are women? Amanda encouraged us to not take this as the norm, but to challenge ourselves in how each of us can make an impact. How can we each be an advocate for women’s rights? Commit to serving as mentors and guides to ensure more women run for office. Or seek out women leaders to be our mentors, to guide us on our journey. “What will you commit to today to make a difference?” Get a seat at the table! Are you C Suite ready?
If you do not have a seat, get one! Have lunch with those you do not necessarily know or in some cases, like. You will learn and grow with each new encounter. Be seen and known by the decision makers. Engage a supportive network of women colleagues. Have both mentors and sponsors. A mentor for helpful advice and a sponsor to serve as your advocate. By having a mentor, or a sponsor, and making sure you are out in the community, involved, joining groups, such as OWL, is how you can make a difference!
Amanda’s belief is “Women are significantly more likely to include community and sustainability to affect change; and through the power of collaboration we will be empowered to “use our role to help create the greater good”, especially during such difficult times such as COVID. We can “move mountains” by “adopting a female value of compassion – coming together to not only survive, but thrive”, is exactly what our country and Hawai’i needs.