If you call Hawaii home, you have heard of Jan Harada. Her reputation precedes her and she has been linked with esteemed organizations including Helping Hands Hawaii, H.T. Hayashi Foundation, and now, Hawaiian Airlines. Jan is known for her strong work ethic and straightforward leadership style. She served as the Executive Director of several nonprofits for over 16 years before making a career change to her current role which allows her to fulfill her passion for developing people. Jan shared openly about her journey and challenges along the way. She experienced burnout during her career and finally decided to take a sabbatical to reset and recharge. Her body was giving her signs that it was time to take a break. With all of the demands of career and family, especially on women, she encouraged us to take breaks and take care of ourselves first. Jan practices self care through Qigong and spending time with her dog.
Jan credits her close circle of friends for helping her weather the storms. This trusted circle is a group of individuals who can share, vent, and seek advice while keeping everything completely confidential. She encouraged us to find our circle and support each other. Jan has found friends and mentors through several cohort-style leadership programs she has participated in. She recommended applying, but do your research first and figure out what you want to get out of the program. Some programs are primarily for networking, while others focus on personal development and skill-building. Jan shared many lessons with us, but one piece of advice that resonates with me is: know your worth, know your values, and know your limits. Find what centers you and brings you joy. Finally, be authentic and bring your best and true self.