CURRENT COHORT

We’re thrilled to announce our new class for the Fellows Program! This diverse, determined, and distinct group of emerging leaders, representing various industries, embodies the future of Filipino-American leadership in Hawaiʻi. Congratulations and welcome to these FilAm Leaders and the companies they represent.

2025: DESTINY Class

Jessica Agsalda

Born and raised on Oʻahu to Filipino parents, Jessica Agsalda spent four years in Guam during her middle and high school years before returning to Oʻahu, where she graduated from Pearl City High School in 2006. Jessica pursued higher education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Civil Engineering.

In 2016, Jessica joined The Limtiaco Consulting Group (TLCG) as a newly licensed engineer. Over the years, she has advanced within the organization, progressing from a staff design engineer to a Project Manager, now overseeing one of TLCG’s top clients.

Jessica has remained deeply engaged in the engineering community, continuously giving back to local chapters of professional organizations. She currently serves as Vice President of the Hawai'i Water Environment Association and was recently honored with the prestigious American Water Works Association’s 5 Under 35 Award for her dedication to service and leadership in the field.

As a civil engineer and a mother of two, Jessica embodies the resilience and determination of the Filipino-American spirit, balancing her career and family while contributing to the elevation of her industry and community.

Bayani Bala

Bayani Bala, a Queer Filipinx educator, artist, and healer from Brooklyn, New York, is dedicated to creating spaces where identity, culture, and community are deeply valued. As an educator and storyteller, Bayani believes in the power of culturally relevant pedagogy, ensuring that everyone feels their identity is seen and respected. She advocates for the strength that comes from knowing our histories, crafting our own stories, and empowering our communities.

Since moving to Oʻahu, Hawai'i, Bayani has deepened her connection to the land and its people, recognizing how identity is closely tied to stewardship of the land. She actively volunteers with mālama ‘āina efforts, helping restore native species and plant medicine, contributing to the preservation of Hawaiian culture and environment. Bayani also fosters community through her sustainable floral design workshops and yoga classes, which center queer and BIPOC experiences, promoting a sense of kuleana toward the people and land of the occupied Kingdom of Hawai'i. Through her diverse roles, Bayani continues to build inclusive spaces that honor both cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.

Joe Bolosan

Joe Bolosan, a first-generation Filipino American, was born to immigrant parents who moved from the Philippines to Hawaiʻi. Growing up, he noticed that Filipinos were often perceived as being limited to labor-intensive roles. This long-held observation motivated him to break that stereotype. After graduating from Renton Technical College, Joe began his career as a Central Service Technician, working in hospital sterilization. However, his true passion emerged when he entered the automotive industry. Starting from entry-level positions, including working as a Lot Attendant and Detailer, Joe’s perseverance and dedication led him to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the Sales Manager at Servco Subaru Māpunapuna.

Joe’s journey has fueled his desire to give back to the Filipino community and empower the next generation to break free from traditional limitations. He believes in inspiring young Filipinos to see themselves not just as workers, but as future leaders and innovators who can drive change and strengthen their community. Through his leadership and commitment, Joe hopes to encourage others to take on leadership roles and further the success of the Filipino-American community, while staying connected to their cultural roots.

Emily Lourdes Cristobal

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Emily Lourdes Cristobal has always been passionate about storytelling and amplifying diverse voices. From topics on diversity and inclusion to environmental issues and community needs, Emily strives to make important information accessible, especially to younger generations through digital platforms. Her goal is to create content that not only educates but also inspires positive change.

As a Digital Producer, Emily wears many hats. She hosts "The Debrief," a show that breaks down the latest issues in Hawai'i, providing insights into state government and key topics. She also leads the "Repairing Earth" podcast, where she highlights the people making a difference in the fight against climate change right here in Hawai'i. Emily’s background in journalism, with a B.S. from Emerson College, and her current pursuit of an M.S. in Engineering, Sustainability, and Health at the University of San Diego, reflect her commitment to using storytelling as a tool for both education and advocacy within her community.

Denise Della-Sabas

Denise Della-Sabas is a proud daughter of immigrants from Ilocos Sur, Philippines, and was raised in Maui. Currently serving as the Director of Business Development & Community Partnerships at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC), the largest community health center on Oʻahu, Denise is deeply committed to uplifting underserved communities, particularly in West Oʻahu. At WCCHC, she leads key initiatives in communications, public affairs, governmental relations, business development, and workforce development.

With over 12 years of service in Waianae, Denise transitioned from a career in education to health care, holding various leadership positions along the way. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, Hawaiʻi Young Health Professionals, and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Young Professionals Program, where she promotes workforce diversity and leadership development. Denise holds two master’s degrees in healthcare administration and public health, as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She resides in Kapolei with her husband and two children, continuing her mission to empower her community and promote equity in healthcare access across Hawaiʻi.

Joyce Kilgore

Born and raised in Cavite, Philippines, Joyce Kilgore began her career as a journalist before immigrating to the United States in 2011. Her love for storytelling led to a natural transition into health information management, where she specialized with a specialization in medical coding. Joyce has since worked with various health care and revenue cycle organizations, becoming a passionate advocate for quality clinical documentation and leveraging data analytics to improve care delivery and patient outcomes.

Driven by her desire to advance the industry, Joyce earned a master’s degree in healthcare management from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School in 2021. After living in multiple states, she chose to settle in Oʻahu in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Joyce leads the medical coding department for all facilities within the Queen’s Health Systems, continuing her commitment to improving health care and empowering her community.

ALUMNI

2024: CHAOS CLASS

Ma Cristina Chachie Abara

Maria Cristina Chachie Abara is a 1.5 Filipino American. Daughter, Sister and Scholarly Activist, She graduated with degrees in Psychology and Philippine Studies with concentration in Ilokano Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She has developed two passion projects of hers that manifested in the last year which is her podcast and educational platform account.

Her podcast entitled, previously named, “Kasamahan Co.” to KasamahanCo is about stories of Filipinos in Hawai’i and curating the oral history of people from her age, and those older to document many of their experiences. Aside from her podcast, she works on creating content that showcases the Ilokano language and culture with her colleagues to keep that language from going extinct.

Chachie also advocates for the Filipino community in terms of mental health and for representation in terms of breaking taboo topics that are not as talked about into our own household. With her background in Psychology and Philippine studies, she hoped to manifest building a media revolution using her passion project to start a company that focuses on creating films, skits, and series that helps kickstart critical dialogue and conversation.

Calvin John Bagaoisan

Calvin John Bagaoisan is an accomplished Administrative and Media professional from Oahu, Hawaii. He is currently the Executive Secretary for See Dai Doo Society and a Video Journalist/Editor at KHON2 News in Honolulu. His outstanding work in media garnered him consecutive recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists, Hawai'i Chapter. Calvin is also a community-oriented Youth leader, contributing five years to the United Filipino Council of Hawai'i (UFCH). In 2015, he was elected Mister Pinoy Aloha, and in 2018, he received the prestigious Huwaran Award for Young Leader from Kalayaan Philippine-Hawaii International (KPHI). Calvin served as the Program Director for the Miss Oahu Filipina Pageants from 2018 to 2021 and currently holds a position as a Board of Governor under UFCH, showcasing his commitment to community service and leadership.

Rachel Cabanizas

Rachel Cabanizas is a Department Coordinator for Food & Beverage at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. She provides assistance within different areas in the department including Restaurants & Bars, Culinary, Stewarding and Banquets. In her previous job positions, she has worked in hospitality and government relations in sales, food and beverage, and administrative and clerical work. She graduated with a BSBA in Travel Industry Management from Hawaii Pacific University.

Outside of work, Rachel volunteers her time with the Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Hawaii. Wanting to get into event management and connect with her Filipino heritage, she joined the Filipino Jaycees in Honolulu (FJCH) in college after hearing about the Filipino Fiesta from a family friend who was a former member. Since then, she has served in the board and took part in projects throughout the years, having also served in the state level with JCI Hawaii. Rachel is now with the Hawaii Kai Jaycees where she recently served on the board, wanting to give back to the Jaycees for all that has done for her giving members to the opportunity to develop themselves as leaders and individuals.

Kat Duran-Higa

Kat was born and raised in Kalihi to Filipino immigrant parents. She was enamored by design at a young age, and has always been deeply rooted in her community and cultural heritage. After graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Hawaiʻi - West Oʻahu, she spent five years in financial services marketing before transitioning into the tech industry. Currently, she's the Product Design & Experience Manager at Salesforce consulting partner, Terranox, where she helps client teams simplify complex business processes by fusing user-centric design with impactful business outcomes.

Beyond her day job, Kat's a member of the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu and leads UXHI, a community she founded to elevate the field of human-centered design in Hawaiʻi and advocate for its value to local businesses. She actively educates, evangelizes, and fosters a community around user experience design through UXHI, and envisions collaboration as a key to tackling challenges and designing solutions that truly serve the people of Hawaiʻi.

Darlene Flores

Darlene Flores, a Kapolei native, serves as the inaugural Chief Financial Officer at DreamHouse Ewa Beach PCS, Oahu's rapidly growing charter school. Beyond her vital role in school operations, Darlene passionately engages with her community, providing identity development and social-emotional support through initiatives like Wahine Rising and Early College. Previously, as a Management Analyst at Child & Family Service, she skillfully managed a $15 million budget, directing funds to crucial family assistance and education programs. Having once been a recipient of these services as a young single mother, Darlene's personal commitment resonates throughout the organization, steadfastly advancing its mission and vision for the betterment of program participants.

Ryan Mandado

Dr. Ryan Mandado is an innovative and equitable school leader changing the face of public education. He was born and raised in Kalihi, Hawai‘i and is of Cebuano descent. Growing up in Kalihi taught him the values of community, compassion, and contribution. As the youngest CEO of schools in Hawai‘i, he helped to establish DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach - Hawai‘i’s newest and fastest growing public charter school focused on leadership and identity development.

He graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa as a Presidential Scholar and has honors degrees in American Studies and Mandarin Chinese. He completed his doctorate in Education Leadership and wrote his dissertation about the ecological approaches towards agentic school environments. Prior to becoming CEO of DreamHouse, Ryan worked for Google as a Senior Diversity Specialist and led the Culture Add program - a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program across all of North America.

Jasper Marcelo

I love my career: it is both my profession and passion. My grandparents and parents came over from Luzon, PI as cheap labor in Del Monte, Dole, and other plantation fields, harboring fruits and vegetables. My brothers and cousins are of the following professions: Medicine, Transportation, Real Estate, Engineering, Construction. My hope is that my kids will also have a career that functions as a profession and passion.

Constancio Paranal III

Constancio Paranal III is a legal and technology professional with strong focus on cybersecurity and digital transformation. As the Innovation and Technology Program Director at the Office of Economic Revitalization, he leads initiatives related to broadband and serves as the primary designee by the City and County for the State of Hawai'i's Broadband Working Group. In his role, Constancio engages key stakeholders and fosters collaborative discussions on Broadband and Digital Equity. With prior experience as a Program Coordinator for Unemployment Insurance Technology modernization at the State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Constancio understands the role of technology in driving social services for the community.

In addition to his many roles, he further contributes to the field as a Pacific-Asian Center for Entrepreneurship faculty fellow at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Constancio has been a resident of Hawaii for over a decade. His commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his career; he co-founded the Finley Fort Foundation, a small nonprofit organization providing emergency financial assistance to families with pets in need and scholarship to veterinary students who need financial assistance.

Philippe Roque

Philippe Roque is the Office Manager for House Majority Leader Nadine Nakamura. He has lived in Ewa Beach for most of his life, graduated from James Campbell High School, and then attended the University of Hawaii - West Oahu (UHWO) and achieved a Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Sociology. In his professional life, Philippe has used his professional experience to serve in several management/leadership positions, as a mentor, and as a community service volunteer. The best part of his presence is his positive attitude and tireless energy that he brings to the workplace. Philippe always encourages others and promotes a productive environment amongst his peers, colleagues, and associates. In his free time, Philippe enjoys an active lifestyle, reading/writing poetry, and riding motorcycles.

Kristina Viloria

Originally from Kaua'i, Kristina moved to O'ahu to attend college where she received her Bachelor's in Arts at the University of Hawai'i Mānoa and her Master's in Education at Chaminade University of Honolulu. She is currently a Middle School Academic Coach with DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach, PCS. In her new role she will be supporting and developing middle school teachers. Prior to her role, she taught social studies, English language arts, and special education.

2023: BRAVO CLASS

Jerome H. Adarna Jr.

Jerome H. Adarna Jr. is the founder/CEO of Visionary Views LLC, a Real Estate media company that utilizes proptech to create marketing solutions for real estate professionals. With advanced 3D-capture technology, VV produces Virtual tours and 360° virtual experiences so viewers can be virtually present on a property. They also use augmented reality technology to virtually stage a variety of spaces. Visionary Views is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate drones for aerial perspectives. The company also provides HDR photography, 4K Videography, and professional editing services.

As a strategic visionary and forward thinking entrepreneur, Jerome focuses on research, development, adopting technologies, and making decisions to empower his team. As a strong believer in the giver's gain philosophy, Jerome gives time to support youth programs, charity drives, community clean ups, and philanthropic causes in hopes that the act of giving back will encourage others to do the same.

Eusebio Agcanas Jr.

Eusebio (U-Say-Bee-O) Agcanas Jr. was born and raised on the island of Oahu and lived in Waipahu his whole life. He graduated from Waipahu High School in 2012 and got his BSBA in Business Management from Hawaii Pacific University in 2016. Currently, Eusebio is a District Sales Leader Designate for PepsiCo in their FRITO LAYS division. His previous jobs include Liberty Mutual Insurance, Vector Marketing/Cutco Cutlery and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Eusebio is a first generation Fil-Am and owe many of his traits, characteristics and values to his parents. His biggest goal in life is to become a philanthropist and give back to the community he was raised in. Eusebio is very passionate about serving others and making a difference in this world.

Jennifer Aquino

Jennifer Aquino is a highly motivated and driven young leader who seeks growth opportunities in her career and personal life. Her drive and willingness to learn in her job made her land her current role as VP, Senior Branch Manager, HomeStreet Bank.

In addition to being a part of the FCCH Fellows program, she is also a part of the First Hawaii Bank Emerging Leaders Program. She serves on the board of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. In her role at FCCH, she had the opportunity to co-chair the 2022 Trade Mission to the Philippines and the 2022 FCCH Christmas Party. She also designed the souvenir books for the trade mission and Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year.

Jennifer recently formed her own business, Lunavieré Incorporated. She plans to launch her business sometime in September. She plans to incorporate a community give-back initiative during the launch of her business. Jennifer is excited and looks forward to uncovering more opportunities, whether career-related or for her personal development.

Randy Cortez

Randy Cortez is a Securities Investigator for the Securities Enforcement Branch, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. In this capacity, he investigates violations of securities and franchise laws. Recently, Randy and his business partner founded Palaman Purveyors, a business selling artisanal jams, jellies and beverages (i.e. ube jam, pandan-flavored jam and pandan iced coffee) to popularize Filipino cuisine.

Randy graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (UHM) with two Bachelor of Arts degrees – 1) Philosophy and 2) Filipino and Philippine Literature. Additionally, Randy was selected as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar leading to his participation in the Advanced Filipino Abroad Program (AFAP), a three-month cultural immersive study abroad program. He studied at De La Salle University – Dasmarinas, Cavite. In 2014, the Philippine Consulate General – Honolulu selected Randy as a FYLPro scholar. FYLPro is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization of leaders passionate about advancing the Philippines and Filipino people. Randy then earned his J.D. from the UHM William S Richardson School of Law (WSRSL). At WSRSL, he was Staff Editor for the Asia Pacific Law and Policy Journal.

Currently, Randy is pursuing his MBA at Chaminade University and graduates in 2023. During his downtime, Randy enjoys swimming, working out and volunteering with Tekniqlingz, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to strengthening ethnic identity and cultural awareness through Filipino art, music, and dance.

Lalaine Ignao

Lalaine Ignao moved to Hawaii after undergraduate school in 2016 with hopes of becoming involved with the Filipino community. She began writing for The Fil-Am Courier and was inspired to further her education which led her to obtain a Masters in New Media Journalism. Lalaine centered her graduate school portfolio around Filipino and Filipino American narratives and transformed it into Pusong Filipinx, a pop-up market created to uplift young Filipino entrepreneurs and creatives, build community, empower culture and give back to nonprofit organizations. In May 2021, she and her fiance, Eric Ganding began Sama Sama, a Filipino inspired boba business to honor her late maternal grandmother and her middle school dream. Earlier this year, she opened up Sama Sama's first cafe at Leeward Community College. Lalaine was awarded the 2022 Young Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce. When she’s not doing business, Lalaine reports for The Filipino Channel and represents the state of Hawaii.

Su Lazo

Su Lazo is a first generation Filipina American born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi. She started her career as a Big Four auditor in Washington, D.C., and is now a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with areas of expertise in career counseling, employment coaching, program management, and student leadership development. Su is currently the Director of Career Development for the education technology nonprofit Purple Maiʻa Foundation, where she gets to do work that doesn't feel like work and is her passion: supporting the career development of under-served communities in Hawaiʻi and improving their economic mobility.

Since 2020, Su has served on the Board of the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu and has been honored with various chapter, State, and national awards for her leadership and service to the Jaycees; including most recently the JCI USA Charles Kulp Jr. Memorial Award for Outstanding President in 2022. Her next big adventure? Chairing the 2024 Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta.

Randy Soriano

Randy Soriano is a non-profit executive with over 15 years of marketing and management experience at proven industry-leading companies in Hawaii. He specializes in program development, project management and fundraising. He is currently the Executive Director at Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation. Prior to the Foundation, Randy spent nearly a decade leading the marketing department at Title Guaranty Hawaii, the state’s largest and oldest kamaaina title and escrow company.

Randy has a passion for connecting people and serving the community, which is demonstrated in the countless hours he dedicates to various non-profit and community organizations. He is a Past President of the Rotary E-Club of Hawaii, serving a two-year term that oversaw an aggressive strategic plan to grow the Club’s membership and community partnerships. He is also a board member at Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, serving on the marketing and fundraising committees. In 2022, Randy served as the Chairperson of Honolulu Pride, leading the organization to its largest parade and festival to date. He has also previously served as Board Secretary of the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation.

He was an honoree at the 2019 Business of Pride Awards presented by Pacific Business News, which recognizes individuals who excel professionally and are leaders in advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2022, Randy was the recipient of Pacific Edge Magazine’s Young Professional of the Year award.

Arthur Valera

Arthur was born and raised in Seattle, WA, and has lived in Las Vegas, NV and across the ocean in the Philippine Islands. Now he resides in Honolulu, HI where his family first landed as foreigners from the Philippines. Arthur started his career at the bottom of the corporate ladder as an Administrative Specialist and worked his way up to a construction Project Engineer. He later realized his passion for helping people in his community and his interest in real estate investing. Strengthened by his entrepreneurial spirit he took a leap of faith and got his license to become a full-time Realtor & Property Manager. He loves learning new financial and real estate strategies, exercising his creativity, trying new things, and teaching the concepts to others. He has a passion for turning dreams into reality for first-time homebuyers as well as working with investors to build their dreams.

2021: ALPHA CLASS

Laren Eustace

Laren Eustace is a commercial real estate advisor in Honolulu, Hawaii with NAI | CBI Hawaii. Laren grew up in the small town of Batavia, Illinois in the western suburbs of Chicago. He played several sports throughout high school and eventually earned a scholarship to play college baseball at Indiana University in the Big 10 conference. Laren was a four-year letter winner in baseball at Indiana University while receiving his BS from the Kelley School of Business with a double major in Finance and Real Estate.

Laren first fell in love with Hawaii when his baseball team played UH-Manoa during his junior year in 2017. Immediately upon graduation in 2018, Laren packed all his belongings and moved to Hawaii to pursue a career in commercial real estate.

After living in Hawaii for two years, Laren has become heavily involved with community organizations such as the Filipino Junior Chamber, the Rotary Club, and the Building Industry Association. Laren likes to spend his free time hiking, running, and coaching youth baseball.

In the future, Laren aspires to become more involved with real estate development on Oahu with a focus on affordable housing. He also plans to start a non-profit organization to support young adult mental health.

Merlinda Garma

Merlinda Garma is a modern-day Renaissance Woman – a lawyer, a television host, an actor, and an artist.

Merlinda graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Hawaii. She is the proud daughter of Filipino immigrants – her father, a U.S. Army Veteran and her mother, a retired Registered Nurse. She was crowned Miss Honolulu and competed in the Miss Hawaii pageant.

Merlinda became the Television Host of Hawaii Skin Diver, which made her a local household name. Hawaii Skin Diver has been airing since 2004 – over 15-years later! In the infancy of her acting career, Merlinda decided to enter and later graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

Merlinda worked in private practice before embarking on her journey as a Trial Lawyer and Deputy Public Defender. She is an advocate for the underrepresented and fights to uphold individual rights under the Hawaii and U.S. Constitution. Merlinda also serves as President of the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association.

Never one to neglect her artistry, Merlinda dances Tahitian; plays the piano; and trains in boxing. She is the lead singer of a rock band. Merlinda also landed a coveted co-star role on an episode of Hawaii 5-0.

Natalie Millon

Natalie Millon is a young professional, entrepreneur, and active community leader with eleven years of experience in the nonprofit field.

With a business degree, she started her career at the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA), worked closely with the Young Lawyers Division Board on community projects, and also helped with the HSBA Leadership Institute, a program developed for promising attorney leaders.

She is a Community Grants and Initiatives Program Associate at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and provides grantmaking and client support for the Omidyar programs and other funds. She works with Pillars of Peace Hawaii, Census 2020, and Ulupono Initiative.

Owner of PhotoLuxe and Event Services and manages all operations of the business. PhotoLuxe oﬀers photo restoration, photo digitizing, portrait services, photo booths, and other aspects of event planning for all occasions with the mission to "create and beautify your vision".

An active member of the Junior Chamber International, she serves on the Hawaii state board as the Community Development Vice President; elected 2021 Executive Vice President; 2020 Chairman of the Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce (FJC) and incorporates UN Sustainable Development Goals. Directed Kamayan Feast, the FJC's cultural immersion and signature event. 2018 Outstanding Chapter Oﬃcer and 2019 JCI Hawaii Outstanding President.

Natalie is family-oriented and values time with her beagle-spaniel Almond. In her free time, enjoys reading, gaming, creating media content, and listening to music.

Jeff Orig

Jeff Orig is a writer, director, producer based in Honolulu. He is of Filipino descent. He owns and runs a boutique production company in Honolulu. They film events, local commercials, short films, web series, feature films, and a local TV show. One of his Youtube channels has over 53,000 subscribers.

He has been honored with several awards for his commercial and creative work. Including 2 Pele Awards for best local commercial and official selection at the 2018 ITVFest. Plus, he was a finalist in the 2018 Sundance Youtube New Voices Lab as well as the 2018 Sundance Feature Development track. He recently completed the Sundance Fiction Directing Collab and Sundance Writing Collab and is a two-time Creative Lab Hawaii Fellow for Web Series and Producing. Jeff was also voted as the president of the Creative Entrepreneurs of Hawaii.

In addition, he completed Entrepreneur 1 and 2 at the Wharton School of Business. He was also a past winner of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce - Young Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year.

In his free time, he spends time with his wife, Lisa, and their two cats. Jeff hikes, plays basketball, and geeks out on vintage lenses.

Danicole Ramos

Danicole Ramos is from Waialua, Hawai‘i, and a graduate of Kalani High School. He is a first-year law student and Ulu Lehua Scholar at the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law. He also serves as a Military Equal Opportunity Officer with the Hawai‘i Air National Guard and the Young Democrats of Hawai‘i's Vice-President.

Before attending law school, Danicole was the Government Affairs Analyst for Elemental Excelerator, a cleantech startup accelerator. He lobbied for clean energy and carbon-neutral economic policies at the State and county levels in his role. In 2019, GreenBiz recognized him as one of ten emerging leaders in climate change and sustainable business.

Before moving back to Hawai‘i in 2018, Danicole worked in Washington D.C. with United We Dream (UWD), the largest immigrant youth-led network, advocating for the DREAM Act and rights of young people under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival policy (DACA). He attended Seattle University on a full-ride scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Seattle University and earned a Master of Public Administration from American University.

In his free time, Danicole enjoys surfing, playing volleyball, and watching basketball.

Dr. Marel Ver

Born in Manila but raised in Hawaii, Doctor Marel Ver is a graduate of Maryknoll Schools in Honolulu, and completed her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Southern California. After working in a research lab at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland, she attended medical school at New York Medical College and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Mount Sinai Hospital. She completed her fellowship in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic. She came home to Hawaii to practice in 2014. Dr. Ver is very engaged as a physician holding many leadership positions in the hospital, including Trauma Medical Director, developing Pali Momi into a Level 3 Trauma Center by 2016. She was a Pacific Business News 40-Under-40 Awardee in 2017. Dr. Ver is passionate about patient care and performing surgeries but is also highly involved with community outreach. She is an invited speaker for a variety of topics including medicine and surgery, trauma, obesity, women's empowerment, cultural education, leadership, and mentorship. Dr. Ver is currently President of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, an organization that is actively visible during this COVID-19 pandemic.

70 years of promoting business in Hawaii
The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s 70-year history dates back to a time when a group of Filipino businessmen - civic minded and fueled with the desire to unite the then fledgling Filipino business community - met in 1947. Today, FCCH represents a growing influence of changemakers in Hawaii, and in the Filipino diaspora.

Contact

Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

P.O. Box 1572, Honolulu, HI 96806
filipinochamber@gmail.com