Farnsworth is a venture accelerator manager, angel investor, and startup advisor. She co-founded and manages Blue Startups, a top 20 U.S. accelerator, which has invested in 120 companies that have raised $500 million in venture capital, including one unicorn IPO. She previously managed the Hawaii Angels investment network and co-founded Kolohala Ventures, a Hawai‘i-based venture capital firm. An advocate for female founders, she has also served on various boards supporting entrepreneurship and investment in Hawai‘i.

Elisia Flores is the CEO of L&L Franchise, Inc., overseeing over 230 L&L Hawaiian Barbecue restaurants in the U.S. and Japan. She drives the company’s strategic vision, growth initiatives, and national revenue programs. She has strengthened the brand through key partnerships across markets. Flores also serves on the board of Hawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE: HE) and several Hawai‘i nonprofits.

Lauren Roth Venu is the Founder of Roth Ecological Design, a boutique firm specializing in water resource management and green infrastructure design. In 2019 she launched 3Rwater, creating the Follow the Drop app, a climate adaptation tool for water agencies. In her 20-year career, she has served in advisory roles with the State of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu and presently is a Founding Advisor for the World Bank’s Youth Water Accelerator program. 

Ryan Mae Sweeney is the President and Owner of Aster Marketing LLC. She joined the MBDA Enterprising Women of Color Business Center in October 2021 as a marketing counselor and instructor. Previously, she served as the Director of Strategy & Digital Marketing at Heinrich & Bullard Marketing. In 2016, she was recognized among Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 for her role as Sales and Marketing Director at the Honolulu Club. Ryan attended Iolani School and then went on to study fashion merchandising at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. 

After raising $40M and scaling her startup Chewse to 300 employees before acquisition, Tracy discovered her true passion: guiding founders through both business challenges and personal evolution. Having navigated funding crises and difficult investors, she now helps leaders develop the self-awareness needed for sustainable success. Through her executive coaching practice, Tracy supports ambitious professionals. She’s based in Honolulu.

Rayfe is a Partner at Canaan, a $7B early-stage Venture Capital firm. He leads investments in deep tech (AI, Edge Computing, Space, Defense, and Robotics), as well as Vertical AI software. He graduated with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California and is an alumnus of ‘Iolani School. He was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii.

Kimia is the next-generation owner of Meadow Gold, a nostalgic Hawai‘i brand known for its dairy, juice, and ice cream products. With a passion for business, she launched her first company at 18 and earned her business degree from Babson College. In 2020, her and her father, an entrepreneurial Hawai‘i Island dairy farmer, acquired Meadow Gold to preserve Hawai‘i’s dairy industry. In her current role as Sales & Marketing Manager, she drives innovation, fosters partnerships, and shapes the brand’s future. 

Sandra is the Executive Director of PACE, a center at the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Hawaii. Through PACE, she empowers students to become innovative problem-solvers and provides the students with the tools and support they need to bring their ideas to life. 

Unyong Nakata is the Founder and Principal of Nakata Advisory, LLC, specializing in business development, strategic partnerships, and leadership development. She facilitates board retreats and strategic planning sessions, helping organizations drive sustainable growth and operational alignment. Recognized by Hawai‘i Business Magazine, Pacific Business News, and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i for her leadership, she is also an advocate for education and entrepreneurship. Unyong serves on the boards of the Domestic Violence Action Center, Navian Hawai‘i, The Mediation Center of the Pacific, and the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership. She holds a B.S. in Microbiology and an MBA from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Lama Chang is a Loan Officer and Business Development Specialist at Feed The Hunger Fund, where she supports low-income, BIPOC, women, and immigrant-owned small businesses by increasing access to capital. With over 15 years of experience in leadership, office management, and human resources, she is known for her strategic thinking and relationship-driven approach. At Feed The Hunger Fund, Lama manages the full loan process and provides hands-on guidance to help entrepreneurs understand and navigate funding opportunities. Her work directly contributes to building stronger, more equitable communities across Hawai‘i.

Melanie Wong is a former CEO who built and sold Hawaii’s leading paper and janitorial supply company, Premium Inc., to Office Depot. She is now founder of two global nonprofits, J Charitable Foundation and Joseph for Dignity, supporting underserved communities worldwide. Melanie empowers women to lead boldly, exit strategically, and create impact-driven legacies through entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Her journey reflects resilience, vision, and a commitment to meaningful global change. 

Jane Barratt is Chief Advocacy Officer and Head of Global Public Policy at MX. Jane serves as FDX Board Co-Chair and has been a member of the FDX Board of Directors since 2021. She is a personal finance expert and champion of financial strength. In her role, Jane collaborates with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, policymakers and the financial ecosystem to ensure people have better financial outcomes through permissioned and secure data-driven innovation. She is a financial educator through LinkedIn Learning. Prior to MX, Jane was CEO of GoldBean, an education first investment advisory platform; and spent two decades driving growth for Fortune 500 companies. 

Susan Utsugi is Group Senior Vice President & Division Manager of Business Banking at Central Pacific Bank. Susan has been with Central Pacific Bank for 25 years and has over 35 years of banking experience. Susan has worked with small businesses most of her career and enjoys helping business owners achieve their dreams. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for Hale Kipa, Advisory Board Member for Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership, Board Member of Pali Momi Foundation, and Treasurer of the Hawaii Pacific District Export Council. She was the 2022 Small Business Administration Women in Business Champion for the State of Hawaii. Susan was one of the founders of CPB’s WE by Rising Tide program, an accelerator for women entrepreneurs. Susan is married to Jim Utsugi and they have two adult daughters.

Maya Rogers is CEO of Tetris, one of the most beloved video game brands worldwide. Under her leadership, Tetris has evolved from an iconic video game franchise, with current hits including Tetris® Effect: Connected, into a lifestyle brand with 90+ licensees globally offering apparel, toys, and more. Maya is also the Co-Founder of Blue Startups, Hawaiʻi’s first venture accelerator, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and American Red Cross Hawaiʻi. 

Clarice Casamina is the President of House of Finance, Inc., where she has led a strategic transformation in marketing and customer experience, helping expand the company’s reach and impact. With a background in marketing from The George Washington University, she introduced a consultative sales approach that streamlined the mortgage process and enhanced client satisfaction. Beyond her work in finance, Clarice is passionate about early financial literacy and mentors high school students through real-world experiences and foundational money skills. Her commitment to community growth honors her family legacy and supports the next generation of Hawai‘i’s leaders.

Julie Mijo is the general manager and 3rd generation leader of her family business, Waimanalo Feed Supply, a leading distributor of animal feed in Hawai’i.  Last year, she acquired the business, Ko’olau Farmers, a local plant and garden store with two locations.  She graduated from ‘Iolani School and the University of Hawai’i with a B.A. in Biology and an Executive MBA.  Julie serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Waimanalo Health Center. 

Isabella “Bella” Hughes is a repeat founder, mentor and angel investor with experience spanning the arts, entrepreneurship and emerging CPG. Born and raised in Honolulu, she splits her time between Austin and Hilo. Currently, she’s the chief revenue officer and co-founder of Better Sour, a globally-inspired sour candy brand founded with her lifelong best friend. She also co-founded Hawaiʻi Contemporary and Shaka Tea, and most recently was honored by Inc. Magazine as one of 2025’s Female Founders 500. 

Kimberly Morris is a dedicated event and fundraising professional with deep roots in Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. She has supported numerous nonprofit partners through strategic planning, fundraising, and large-scale event execution. A former COO of Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i and past President of Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i, Kimberly now channels her expertise into full-time entrepreneurship. She was named the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i’s 2022 Young Professional of the Year and a Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 honoree. 

Sharene Urakami-Oyama is the Vice President and Small Business Market Manager at Central Pacific Bank, bringing over a decade of banking experience and more than 15 years of leadership in sales management at a Fortune 500 company. Since 2021, she has helped Hawai‘i’s small businesses thrive through strategic support and relationship-building. Outside of work, Sharene is an active community leader, serving on boards including the UH Alumni Association, Kaimuki-Waialae YWCA, and the Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i.

Gina Ho is the co-founder of Hawaiian Soda Co., a Honolulu-based company known for its real fruit sodas made with real ingredients. Alongside her husband, Caesar, she has spent nearly two decades building ventures across retail, food and beverage, and real estate. A self-taught entrepreneur with a “hard-knocks MBA,” Gina thrives on learning and growth. Her favorite mantra, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” reflects her relentless curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement. 

President and Co-Founder

Vertaccount and SCALE Staffing

Candice Ishikawa is the Head of Marketing at Aloha Beer Co., where she leads product development, branding, and strategic collaborations. She and her husband have grown the company into Hawai‘i’s third-largest local beer producer, with distribution across Hawai‘i and Japan. Prior to joining the family business, she founded a subscription snack startup that reached 15,000 subscribers and was acquired in 2016. Candice is a Babson College graduate with a background in marketing and psychology, and her recent brand partnerships include SEGA, Japan Airlines, and the Hawaiian Humane Society.