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