PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - June 2025

Aloha OWL Members and Friends,

With summer here, it is hard to believe that we're already halfway through the year! It's a wonderful time to pause and reflect on how far we've come while recognizing where we still want to grow.

Mahalo to our May speaker, Roseann Freitas (Chief Executive Officer of BIA Hawaii), for sharing her inspiring leadership journey. Her story reminded me of the importance of being agile and adaptable in the face of challenges and of using every experience—both the successes and the setbacks—as an opportunity to learn, stretch, and grow.

As Roseann shared, leadership isn't always easy. Life can be messy, and sometimes the path forward isn't clear. In those moments, we have a choice: to stay where we are or to find the courage within ourselves to take the next step. Growth rarely happens when everything is comfortable. It happens when we're willing to embrace uncertainty, trust ourselves, and keep moving forward.

And when those moments feel especially difficult, it's important to remember that we don't have to navigate them alone. One of the greatest gifts of OWL is the community we've built together. We each have a village of women who are ready to listen, encourage, celebrate our wins, and remind us of our strengths when we've forgotten them ourselves.

My challenge to you over the next month—or even throughout the rest of the year—is to reach out to one new OWL sister. Invite her to coffee, sit next to her at a luncheon, or simply start a conversation. Take the first step in building a new connection. You never know where that relationship may lead—a trusted friend, a mentor, a collaborator, or someone who simply reminds you that you're not alone. When we intentionally invest in one another, we strengthen not only our own leadership journeys but the entire OWL community. That's how we truly ignite our potential—together.

Last, I'd also like to share an update from your Board of Directors. Following a thoughtful discussion, the Board approved a mid-year membership option for those joining OWL beginning in July. The $185 membership includes administrative costs and attendance at our July and September luncheon meetings at the Pacific Club. Please note that the Annual Meeting will remain a separately ticketed event.

Thank you for continuing to make OWL a community where women lift one another up, open doors, and lead with purpose. I look forward to seeing you at our July luncheon as we continue to learn, connect, and grow—together.

Mahalo,
Brittany

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - March 2025

Aloha OWL ʻOhana,

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

What does that really mean?

This theme invites us to think broadly about sustainability. It’s not only about environmental responsibility — it’s about building financially sound organizations, resilient communities, strong leadership pipelines, and systems that support both people and the planet for generations to come.  To me, it’s also about every woman’s unique story actively shaping our future. It’s a reminder that progress happens because women step forward — often in the face of challenge — and choose to lead anyway.

Recently, I participated in a talk centered around “Strategies to Get on the Radar and Open Doors.” The conversation was honest, energizing, and deeply aligned with this month’s theme. A few takeaways really stayed with me:

• Take risks.

• Be confident in yourself and your decisions — when you trust yourself, you gain clarity and momentum.

• Sometimes life — and leadership — is messy. The key is finding the courage to keep moving forward.

• Progress happens when you step forward and use your voice.

Those lessons are not just professional advice — they are sustainable leadership principles. When women take risks, speak up, and move forward despite uncertainty, we are shaping stronger organizations and communities. We are building futures that are more inclusive, more equitable, and more resilient.

As we reflect this month, I encourage you to consider:

• Where am I being called to step forward?

• What risk might help me grow?

• Whose door can I help open?

Each of us is shaping history in our own way — through the decisions we make, the voices we amplify, and the courage we choose to practice daily. Let’s continue leading the change — together.

Mahalo!
Brittany

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - January 2025

Aloha OWL Members and Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a joyful and restful holiday season with family and friends. As we begin the year ahead, I am truly honored to serve as your President and grateful for the opportunity to lead such an inspiring community of women.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our outgoing President, Nina Horioka, for her thoughtful leadership and mentorship over the past year. Her dedication to OWL and her commitment to leading with aloha have left us with a strong foundation and a connected, thriving organization. Mahalo to Nina and to all of our board members, volunteers, sponsors, and past leaders who continue to give their time and talents to OWL.

In keeping with OWL tradition, each year is guided by a theme. Our theme for the year ahead is Ignite Our Potential — a reminder that every new chapter begins with a spark. Each of us brings unique experiences, ideas, and strengths, and when we come together as a network, those individual sparks grow into something powerful.

At the heart of OWL is connection and community. I encourage you this year to lean into that spirit — sit at a different table, introduce yourself to someone new, share your story, and ask how you can support one another. Small moments of connection can lead to meaningful relationships, fresh ideas, and lasting impact.

As we look ahead, I invite you to ignite something this year: say yes to a new opportunity, mentor another woman, share your knowledge, or help open a door for someone else. When we support one another, we don’t just grow individually — we can turn our individual sparks into a blazing movement of leadership, empowerment, and hope. Because when one of us shines, we all shine brighter.

Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and for being part of this incredible organization. I look forward to all that we will ignite together in the year ahead.

Mahalo!
Brittany

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - November 2025

Dear OWL Members and Friends,

Our Annual Meeting, “Leading with Aloha: Cultivating Community and Connection,” was a success! We elected our 2026 board of directors, heard an inspiring message from award-winning journalist and author Jan Yanehiro, and celebrated our 2025 Women of the Year.

Congratulations to Leianne “Lei” Pedro and Brittany Montilliano, our 2025 Women of the Year! Both of these women exemplify the mission and values of OWL. They demonstrate excellent leadership in their profession, give back to the community through service, and serve as a role model for other women. It was an honor to celebrate and recognize these two amazing leaders whom I admire.

It has been a pleasure to serve as your President this past year and be a small part of OWL’s rich history. It has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my professional journey. This year has been about community and connection, building stronger bonds and forming new friendships. This is what OWL is all about, supporting each other, creating opportunities, and raising the tide.

As I pass the torch, I do so with full confidence in the future. Please join me in supporting my dear friend Brittany Montilliano as our incoming President as she brings fresh ideas and perspectives.  I’ve known Brittany since 2019 and I admire her sense of purpose and passion.  Under her leadership, 2026 is full of promise and possibilities.

In closing, this has been an incredible and memorable year, and I’m grateful to have had this opportunity. Thank you for believing in me and for trusting me to lead this very special organization. A special thank you to the entire OWL board for your support and dedication.

Cheers to you, and a successful year ahead!

Mahalo,

Nina Horioka

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - September 2025

Aloha Organization of Women Leaders,

Our signature event of the year is just around the corner! Please join us on Monday, November 3, 2025 for our annual meeting featuring a special keynote speaker, the 2026 Board Installation, and recognition of our Women of the Year awardees. This year’s event will be held at the beautiful Oahu Country Club and our theme is, “Leading with Aloha: Cultivating Community and Connection.” Sponsorship opportunities are available and we greatly appreciate your consideration in supporting this signature event.

Did you know that OWL is over 40 years old and locally run? Founded in 1984 in Honolulu by two savvy business women, OWL continues to operate independently without oversight or financial support from a national organization. Our board members are all volunteers and generously give their time and talents. That’s a pretty incredible legacy. Our annual meeting helps raise critical funds to sustain our operations and ensure the future of OWL for many years to come.

As you may recall, our theme for this year is “Community and Connection.”  We have been intentional about engaging with the broader community and strengthening relationships within our membership. One recent example of partnership is our collaboration with Hawaii Women in Lodging & Tourism for their inaugural “Drop, Shop, & Sip” (pictured above) event which raised over $2,000 for the YWCA Oahu’s Dress for Success Program.

With only a few months left in the year, let’s make them count. I encourage you to seek opportunities to connect with your fellow OWL members beyond our regular lunch meetings. Speaking of which, please join us on October 23 for our fall pau hana - a relaxed gathering to reconnect and catch up with each other.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Mahalo,

Nina Horioka

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - July 2025

Aloha OWL Members and Friends,

How is your summer going?

I recently attended the Pacific Business News inaugural “For Women, By Women” summit. Nearly 150 women and a few men gathered at the YWCA Oahu for a half-day of learning, inspiration, and connection. The sessions made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. I’m proud to say OWL was well-represented with several members in attendance or participating.

The keynote speaker was Sage Ke`alohilani Quiamno. She openly shared her personal story and challenges, admitting she was not always comfortable with public speaking. Over time she built her confidence and storytelling skills. Below is her advice, what she calls her “five pillars of unshakable confidence.” I am sharing these with you because they are too good not to share, and I believe they are applicable to women in all industries and levels.

Five Pillars of Unshakable Confidence - by Sage Ke`alohilani Quiamno:

Authentic Self-Knowledge

• Take 15 minutes every week to reflect on what energized you and what you found draining.

Competence Through Continuous Learning

• Identify a knowledge gap you have and create a 30 day plan to hone your skills in this area.

Community Connection

• Build your own personal Board of Directors- three to five people who can give you honest advice and feedback.

Resilience Through Reframing

• Confidence is not the absence of failure, it's the ability to reframe setbacks as data points rather than defining moments.

Purposeful Risk-Taking

• Taking calculated risks can increase confidence and allow you to better align your work with your values.

I hope these will resonate with you at some level. I look forward to seeing you at our July meeting to welcome our own Jennifer Grems as our featured speaker! Jennifer is Head of School at La Pietra and her work embodies our theme of community and connection.

With aloha,

Nina

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - May 2025

Aloha OWL Members and Friends,

We had a great time at our spring pau hana which was held on April 10th at Arden Waikiki. It was a wonderful time of connection and the staff took good care of us. And the best part is we had 3 new members join as a result of attending the pau hana! 

Several OWL members, including myself, attended the Women’s Fund of Hawaii annual gala, Tea & Champagne. It was no surprise to see a strong showing of support for WFH, whose mission is “to help women and girls overcome social and economic barriers, because when women thrive, our communities prosper.”

As we enter May, I am proud to report we are nearly 80 members strong! This is a result of our increased social media presence and referrals from many of you. Thank you for referring your friends and colleagues to OWL! It’s encouraging to see our organization growing and thriving even in these uncertain times.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Jaci-Ann Chung who is our new Executive Administrator replacing Laurie Nakamoto. We are grateful to Laurie for her many years of service to OWL. Jaci-Ann is an asset to our organization and we are fortunate to have her keeping everything running smoothly.

Summer is almost here and I’m looking forward to my next vacation. Whatever your summer plans are, I hope you are able to recharge while soaking up some rays.

I look forward to seeing you on May 10 and welcoming our special guest, Susan Eichor.

With aloha,

Nina Horioka

2025 OWL President

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - March 2025

Aloha OWL Family,

Happy Women’s History Month!

Women's History Month recognizes the contributions of women to American society, culture, and history. It celebrates the achievements of women in a variety of fields and honors those who have fought for gender equity. It began in 1978 in Santa Rosa, California as Women’s History Week, and later evolved into Women’s History Month.

The theme (selected by the National Women’s History Alliance) for 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” Read more here. This theme reminds me of the importance of mentorship and the wonderful mentors I’ve had throughout my career, both formal and informal. I am grateful to these women (and men) who took time to share their experiences, even their mistakes. One of my former mentors will be a lunch speaker later this year. I know you will appreciate her candor, humor, and authenticity.

As we enter spring, a time for renewal and new beginnings, I hope the season brings you a renewed sense of purpose and joy. There is joy to be found in the little things- a slow morning, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, time with loved ones.

Lastly, if you haven’t yet, please follow OWL on Facebook and LinkedIn. You will find new member profiles, member announcements, events, and more. We would love to connect with you.

Take care and be well,

Nina Horioka
2025 OWL President

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - January 2025

Aloha OWL Members and Friends,

Happy New Year! I trust you had a nice holiday season with family and friends.  I am honored to serve as your 2025 OWL President. I would like to extend a sincere appreciation to 2024 President Ananda Ferreira. Under her leadership, we had a very successful 40th anniversary celebration at the Halekulani hotel last November. It was wonderful to see many of you there, and I’m happy to report that we had several new members sign up on the spot. If you are one of them, welcome! You are joining a community of strong, confident women committed to lifting each other up. A special mahalo to the event planning committee who worked diligently to make our 40th anniversary memorable: Bonnie Bise, Ananda Ferreira, Joy Kimura, Lisa Ma, and Brittany Montilliano.

In following with OWL tradition, the President usually selects a theme or word for the year. Our
themes for 2025 will be Connection and Community. I challenge you this year to sit at a different table for our lunch meetings and meet new friends. If you meet just 2 new people at each lunch meeting, by the end of the year, you will have 12
new friends!

Let’s consider how we can serve and support each other. Ask: Who can I introduce you to? How
can I help you (your business, etc.)? Where can I be of assistance? As we serve each other,
we are strengthening our connections and building deeper friendships.

Community has always been important to me and is the reason that I volunteer with
organizations such as OWL. Whether you were born here or have made Hawaii your home, we
are all responsible for making our community a better place. Find your tribe (whether at OWL or
with another organization) and ask how you can be of service.

I hope these themes, Connection and Community, resonate with you and will guide us in the
coming year.

I am grateful for this opportunity and for all of you. Thank you for your trust, your support, and
for being part of this incredible organization.

Cheers!
Nina Horioka

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - December 2024

Aloha OWL community,

As I reflect on my time as president of OWL, my heart is full of gratitude. Our 40th Anniversary Celebration - Legacy of Leadership - was a beautiful reminder of the incredible journey we’ve shared, and the lasting impact we continue to make. For forty years, OWL has empowered women to lead, break barriers, and create change.

I want to extend my deepest thanks to all the women who make this organization so special. To our founders, members, past presidents, board members, volunteers, and sponsors—your dedication and leadership are what keep OWL thriving. It has been an honor to work alongside such inspiring women who lift each other up and create opportunities for growth.

As we celebrate our legacy, we also look to the future. Forty years ago, OWL was founded to address challenges like pay disparity, workplace discrimination, and limited representation in leadership. While we’ve made incredible strides, our work is far from finished. We must continue to support and mentor the next generation of women leaders, ensuring that their voices are heard and their impact is felt.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I want to express my deep appreciation for all of you. It’s because of your commitment and passion that OWL continues to thrive. Together, we’ve created something powerful, and together, we will continue to build a future where women lead with strength, courage, and purpose.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your president. I look forward to the exciting journey ahead with incoming president, Nina Horioka, and all of you. Wishing you a joyful Thanksgiving and a future filled with opportunity and impact.

With gratitude and aloha,
Ananda Ferreira, President
Organization of Women Leaders

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - NOVEMBER 2024

Aloha Members, 

Can you believe our annual membership luncheon is less than a week away?  It's been an amazing year and it's been such an honor to lead you all as the OWL President.  It's truly been inspiring to witness OWL grow and improve year after year.  I hope you are as excited and committed as I am to continue being a part of OWL in 2025.

Before the holiday rush begins, please take a moment to renew your OWL membership at your earliest convenience to take advantage of the Early Bird Membership rate (See below). This year, there has been a slight price increase, which helps address rising costs, such as those from the Pacific Club, which hosts our luncheon programs. The OWL Board carefully considered this adjustment to keep the increase as minimal as possible, while ensuring we meet our financial needs. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Here are the details on Membership Dues and timing:

• Early Bird Membership: $305 (register by December 15)

• Regular Membership: $325 (register after December 15)

These fees apply to both renewals and new memberships. As a reminder, your dues cover administrative costs and five lunches at the Pacific Club. The Annual Meeting will have a separate charge.

Click here to renew your OWL membership by December 31:  OWLMembership Renewal.

Payment can be made by credit card (processing fees apply), by bringing a check to the Annual Meeting or by mailing a check to this address: Organization of Women Leaders (OWL), c/o Laurie Nakamoto, 2766 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to OWL. Let's make 2025 another fantastic year together! 

Mahalo, 

Ananda Ferreira

President, Organization of Women Leaders

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - September 2024

Dear Outstanding Leader,

How is your Bucket List coming along? Recently, I went on a hike at Point Lobos National Reserve in California with my family. It was an incredible experience. We walked through the fog with the wind whipping through our hair, jackets zipped up to our chins. As we reached the summit, the sun finally emerged, casting a beautiful glow. We saw sea birds nesting on the cliffs and heard the distant calls of sea lions from the shore. The entire adventure was both inspiring and rejuvenating. And as glorious as it was, I almost didn’t go. I’m so glad I did.

The experience reminded me of the importance of embracing opportunities and pushing past hesitation. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the greatest rewards come when we step out of our comfort zones and fully engage with the present moment.

In our journey as women leaders, this principle holds true. Just as the hike renewed my spirit, we too can find new strength and inspiration by expanding our horizons and empowering those around us. Embracing challenges and seizing opportunities not only fosters our personal growth but also uplifts those we lead. By venturing beyond our comfort zones, we blaze new trails and motivate others to explore their own paths.

I hope you are finding joy and inspiration as you pursue your own bucket list adventures and ambitions. Life is too short not to savor these moments of discovery and growth. Sometimes we stumble, sometimes our path is not clear or straight or is filled with obstacles, and sometimes we forge fearlessly ahead, charting a course for others to follow.

You are surrounded by amazing women in OWL supporting you on your journey. As you continue on your path, remember that each step you take, no matter how challenging, contributes to your development and empowers those around you. Embrace these opportunities to expand your influence and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can drive meaningful change in our communities and beyond.

With admiration and support,

Ananda Ferreira, President
Organization of Women Leaders

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - July 2024

Aloha OWL Friend,

Summer is here. Kids are out of school, evening soirees are in full swing, and mangoes are juicy and plentiful. For me, barbeques with friends, and active time outdoors with loved ones are how I love to celebrate this season, with an off-island trip added in. Summer is a time to fill my cup. To pause and practice work-life balance. To stop and smell the flowers, as I love to do with my daughter when we walk in our yard and neighborhood.

Like many, I can be so all-consumed by work and obligations that I sometimes neglect taking care of myself. At times, I also struggle to carry what feels like the Weight of the World on my shoulders. To lighten my load and my heart, I am seeking out joy.

I am participating in a national Summer Bucket List challenge to do fun and fulfilling activities to fill my bucket with as much joy and laughter as possible. This helps me to create healthy habits that take me beyond this season. My Summer Bucket List includes hiking and going to the beach with my friends, enjoying the sunset, helping my neighbor in need, and spending quality time with family outside.

What is on your (Summer) bucket list? If you haven’t lately, think about what fills your cup. Carve out time to fill it. It doesn’t always have to take long, but it takes intention. Share your intentions and invite others to do the same. Who in our Organization of Women Leaders can join in with you? Jan Phillips once said, “Find what brings you joy and go there.” Where will you go?  

May your days be filled with joy and your heart be light. I look forward to seeing you in July at our next OWL Luncheon where we can share where we have decided to go.

With appreciation,

Ananda Ferreira, President

Organization of Women Leaders (OWL) 2024

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - April 2024

Dear Outstanding Leader,

I recently had my training hat on which has been so much fun. I had the opportunity to lead a workshop for Kupuna in Waianae today, and I co-led a workshop for emerging women leaders for the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership's Wahine Rising Cohort 5 alongside my esteemed OWL Board Member, Erinn Tomlinson. It is times like these that fill my cup.

The workshop we led for women last week was called "Building Your Development Path" and we provided insight on how to strengthen and build your future network. Naturally, we had our very own OWL experience to lean on and highlight. Some of the key takeaways from that workshop also serve as reminders to us busy leaders:

1. Understand your networking style and how to apply it. Are you a Promoter? Are you a Go-Getter? Are you an Examiner? Are you a Nurturer? Consider teaming up with a friend with a complementary style to maximize your impact in networking functions. Consider reaching out to an advocate, mentor, or coach to get the introduction to the person you most want to connect with if challenged.

2. Strengthen and leverage your online presence. One of our participants asked if LinkedIn was necessary. The answer is “yes.” While you don’t have to be a LinkedIn expert, it is important that your profile is current and highlights your career and skill sets. It is a strong channel to connect in an age when our email inboxes are overflowing.

3. Volunteerism is a great way to strengthen and build relationships and connections. You can explore new interests and groups safely. You can build tremendous connections with other like-minded individuals. Just be careful not to overcommit and under-deliver. It is a small island. At the same time, make sure you are listening to your gut if you are saying “no.” Is it because your plate is truly overflowing, or, are you afraid of something? Can you offload some of your plate so you can take this on? Be sure to ask the 5 whys before saying “no.” If the timing is not right, it is ok to “put a pin in it,” and come back to it later.

4. Create your action plan using the 70 / 20 / 10 rule - this applies not only to networking, but to any goals you want to set for yourself in your learning and development:

• Set your SMART Goal

• Describe what it will look like for you

• 70% of your learning and development comes from real-life, challenging on-the-job experiences, tasks and problem solving.  What key experience will help you to achieve this goal?

• 20% is through observing, working with, and learning from role models. How lucky are we to be surrounded by role models in OWL? Who will be your mirror? Who will be your champion? Calendar those coffee dates and times for intentional self-development.

• 10% is formal training.  This does not have to be long workshops (though those can be great too).  It can include self-study such as books, podcasts, and TED Talks.

As Erinn stated so beautifully, “Utilize the space you are in.” If you are already at the soccer field or your kid’s school or at a gathering, use that time wisely. If you are at work, see the opportunities to build and strengthen connections and relationships.

Fortunately, we have one fantastic space we are already in which is our incredible Organization of Women Leaders. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Spring Pau Hana on April 25th and toasting to you and strengthening our network together. Talk soon, my friend.

Sincerely,

Ananda Ferreira, President
Organization of Women Leaders

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - February 2024

Dear OWL Friend,

Fundraisers and sports games. Deadlines and discussions. So many things for us to juggle. So many important priorities.

And while this season in my life may be a bit overwhelming at times, and busier than ever, I embrace these new opportunities. I welcome the challenges. I am thankful for the new friendships and inspirations. As I expand and empower myself and others around me, I remind myself that I cannot do it all at once. I must see and seize the opportunities, and in order to do that, I must create the space to do so and also make sure I stop to give a hug, a shoulder to lean on or a nudge when possible. I must empower and invite others to lift some of what I have been carrying so I can take on new responsibilities. Thank you for helping me to do that. Thank you for being such an incredible support.

As you navigate through life’s challenges and opportunities, please remember that you are not alone. You have such an incredible, compassionate, powerful network of women leaders, friends, sisters, to support you and cheer you along the way. To help you stretch. To also catch you when you stumble as my friend did for me today when I misplaced my keys and needed a ride. That ride turned into such a tremendous opportunity to connect and support.

In the last two months I have heard incredible, honest stories of resilience, of acts of bravery and heart. Of leadership and empowerment. I have had lunch, coffee and incredible conversations with such inspiring women. Amazing women of OWL.

Thank you for being a part of our Organization of Women Leaders. We are expanding and empowering together. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Warmly,

Ananda Ferreira, President

Organization of Women Leaders (OWL) 2024 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - January 2024