Aloha all,
I am honored to submit my candidacy for Region 1 Coordinator. I bring over a decade of leadership experience in nursing education, clinical practice, and Sigma service. I have been an active Sigma member for more than 10 years, serving in a variety of roles including Chapter President, Treasurer, Counselor, Webmaster, and Newsletter Editor. I have also served as a delegate to Sigma's biennial convention and remain deeply committed to supporting the success and visibility of our Region 1 chapters.
Most recently, I worked closely with the current Region 1 Coordinator to plan and host the 2024 Region 1 Conference in Honolulu, Hawai'i. This event brought together more than 150 participants from across the country and internationally, including attendees from Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Australia. As the lead logistics coordinator, I helped develop a program that highlighted Native Hawaiian values such as aloha and mÄlama, and created space for dialogue around leadership, equity, and cultural humility. The conference included a regional leadership panel, scholarly presentations, and networking opportunities that deepened engagement across chapters. I was honored to receive a Region 1 Leadership Award in recognition of this work, which reflects both my commitment to collaboration and my dedication to advancing Sigma's mission.
Professionally, I serve as an Associate Professor at Hawai'i Pacific University. I have held leadership roles as Graduate Program Chair and Associate Dean, where I have led MSN and DNP programs, managed national accreditation processes, and facilitated curriculum development. I also oversee the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) grant, which supports the preparation of future nurse educators. In 2024, I participated in Sigma's Global Leadership Mentoring Community, which allowed me to collaborate with nurse leaders from across the world and strengthen my vision for regional and global impact.
In addition to my academic role, I am a practicing nurse practitioner on the Post-Acute Care Team at Straub Benioff Medical Center. My clinical focus is on transitional care and rehabilitation, working with complex patients as they move across hospital, skilled nursing, and home settings. This dual role as educator and clinician keeps me grounded in both the strategic and human aspects of nursing leadership.
If elected, I plan to focus on chapter engagement, communication, and the sharing of sustainable practices that help chapter leaders feel supported. I understand how demanding volunteer leadership can be, and I want to create a structure that is responsive, collaborative, and aligned with what chapters actually need. I believe strong regional coordination can help chapters thrive and ensure members feel connected to the broader mission of Sigma.
Mahalo for your consideration. I would be honored to serve Region 1 and continue building on the strong foundation we have today.