CTL Team

Katie Chang is the Executive Director of the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, and is a proud alumnus of the very first class of CTL Fellows. Since her appointment in 2013, Katie has expanded the CTL from its flagship Fellows program to include the innovative Ambassadors program which offers leadership development directly to Hawaiʻi’s high schools and CTL’s other impactful programs. She is a certified presenter of the nationally-acclaimed Student Leadership Challenge, which is the foundation of the program. Prior to joining the CTL, Katie worked as an advisor for the US/UK Fulbright Commission in London, UK. She also served as an intern in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and Governor’s Office. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Pepperdine University. She serves on the board for Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Salvation Army and Encounter Church.

• Katie Chang's Response to: What hope do you have for today’s generation?

  A movement of young leaders in Hawaiʻi, world-class and local, could make a literal world of difference. With the right platform, training, and most importantly character, they will have the opportunity to build an incredible future for our island communities.

• Katie Chang's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawaiʻi?

  Some of the most generous people on the planet! And readily accessible dim sum and ramen.

• Katie Chang's Response to: What was your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  Tennis. I also loved to read.

April Nakamura is the Student Activities Coordinator at William McKinley High School and the volunteer Head of Training for the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. Born and raised in Kaneohe, she graduated from Castle High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from UH Mānoa. She began her career at McKinley High School where she taught various subjects in Social Studies. She was also actively involved in extra-curricular activities, including class advisor and head coach for the Cheerleading Team. She also chaired McKinley High School’s 150th Anniversary Committee. In her volunteer role at CTL, she trains and mentors CTL staff, spearheads the development of curriculum and advises the Executive Director.

• April Nakamura's Response to: What hope do you have for today’s generation?

  Today's generation seems to bear a heavier burden of finding truth and balance in a world that can sometimes be full of contradictions, in a social/political environment that can feel unsafe, and in a time when social media has become our greatest influence. My hope to break through all of this is in our emerging leaders being raised in the Center for Tomorrow's Leaders—people of character, courage, compassion, and competence. This is why we do the work we do in CTL.

• April Nakamura's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawaiʻi?

  The values we practice in Hawai’i is my favorite thing about this place. Taking care of each other, generosity, selflessness, and love for our islands—the Aloha spirit is what makes us who we are.

• April Nakamura's Response to: What was your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  I'm not sure if these were hobbies, but I loved to play music, volleyball/tennis, and dancing.

Joy Yoshida was born and raised in Kaneohe and is a graduate of Hawaii Baptist Academy. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, she returned home to Hawaii where she taught the 4th grade at Windward Nazarene Academy for 15 years. She is actively involved in her church as the Elder for the Middle School and High School ministries as well as a vocalist on the worship team. Joy has a heart to see the youth of Hawaii step into their roles as the leaders of tomorrow by becoming passionate and educated about leading today.

• Joy Yoshida's Response to: What hope do you have for today’s generation?

  My hope for today's generation would be for them to rise up and become leaders of character and integrity that will make a lasting impact on their communities and the world around them.

• Joy Yoshida's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawaiʻi?

  I love SO MANY things about Hawai’i, but one of my favorite things about living here are seeing the waterfalls on the Ko'olau after the rain pours in Kaneohe.

• Joy Yoshida's Response to: What was your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  My favorite hobby in high school was singing in my school's choir, church's worship team, and in my friends' cars! #nsyncforlife :)

Lahela Manning was born and raised in Honolulu in ‘Alewa Heights, and graduated from Kamehameha School Kapalama campus. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Dixie State University in Saint George, Utah and went on to work as a Student affairs advisor for the college. She also worked for the Southwest behavioral health center of Southern Utah, where she learned that her passion was working with youth. While living in the mainland for 10 years, she found a great need for local students from here in Hawaii to learn skills that would help them become confident, independent thinkers who could travel the world and bring their unique aloha spirit to all they meet. Upon arriving home 6 years ago, she found CTL and has been involved as both a student facilitator and volunteer ever since.

• Lahela Manning's Response to: What hope do you have for today's generation?

  I hope today’s generation will learn to focus less on what people will see on their social media, and more on their character in their interactions with people.

• Lahela Manning's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawai'i?

  My favorite thing about Hawai’i is that no matter where you go in the world, your body and spirit always feel that call to home. Right from getting off the airplane, you feel the air, smell the grass, hear the local accent, and you just feel right. There’s no other feeling like it in the world.

• Lahela Manning's Response to: What's your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  My favorite hobby was and still is reading. I love getting lost in the different places between the pages of a book.
  

Trisha Ramelb was born and raised in Honolulu to Filipino immigrant parents. She is a graduate of McKinley High School, and received her Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Trisha is an alumnus of the CTL Ambassadors program, Fellows program, and Summer in Hawaiʻi internship program. Her experience in peer advising exploratory freshmen at UH Mānoa fuels her interest in helping students identify their purpose, and providing support to students as they navigate higher education. Trisha is excited to help build stronger and deeper connections with Hawaiʻi's young leaders.

• Trisha Ramelb's Response to: What hope do you have for today’s generation?

  I hope that today’s generation will believe that growing up in Hawai’i is their biggest strength.

• Trisha Ramelb's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawaiʻi?

  No matter where I am or who I’m with, Hawai’i will remind me to speak truth, give more than I take, and love unconditionally.

• Trisha Ramelb's Response to: What was your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  Playing clarinet in my high school band. I also enjoy watching educational videos from Crash Course on Youtube (especially the U.S. History series)!

Chaz Mihara was born in Honolulu, Hawai'i. He was raised in Pearl City and is a proud graduate of Pearl City High School. He received his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He is passionate about sports and is continuing to chase his dream of becoming a Sports Broadcaster. He also volunteers his time coaching Boys and Girls volleyball at Pearl City High School. As a CTL alumnus of the 2012 Fellows class, he is grateful to be a part of CTL and give back in such a way to inspire and touch the lives of the next great leaders of Hawai'i!

• Chaz Mihara's Response to: What hope do you have for today’s generation?

  My hope for today's generation is to strive to become one percent better every day!

• Chaz Mihara's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawaiʻi?

  My favorite thing about Hawai'i is the Aloha spirit and the people.

• Chaz Mihara's Response to: What was your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  My favorite hobbies in high school were ukulele, baseball, and volleyball.

Shannon Kim was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. She graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa with a Bachelor's degree in Education and has taught 2nd grade for the past 6 years in the Department of Education. After working as a high school health teacher for a summer, she found an interest in working with young adults to guide them toward higher education and is really excited to now be a part of CTL. She loves giving back to her community and looking forward to getting the opportunity to continue to work with students in a variety of schools to find what they are passionate about and reach their true potential as future leaders.

• Shannon Kim's Response to: What hope do you have for today's generation?

  My hope for today's generation would be for them to become risk-takers and lead with empathy for the people of Hawai'i.
  

• Shannon Kim's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawai'i?

  My favorite thing about Hawai'i would definitely be the variety of people coming from all walks of life!
  

• Shannon Kim's Response to: What's your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  My favorite hobbies in high school were volleyball, tennis, and volunteering.
  

Sue has lived in Kaneʻohe for most of her life. She is a proud graduate of Castle High School and attended Kapiʻolani Community College. Prior to coming to CTL, she worked at Hawaii Baptist Academy as the Admissions Secretary (Grades 7-12) for 22 years. She attends church at Salt and Light Hawaiʻi and is currently serving on the Greeters Team. Sue is a blessed mom of three children who are educators in their chosen fields, and a proud grandmother of three amazing grandkids.

• Sue Yoshida's Response to: What hope do you have for today's generation?

  My hope is for them to be optimistic in the face of adversity, and to be overcomers and game-changers for their world.

• Sue Yoshida's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawai'i?

  Driving through the tunnels from Honolulu (Pali, Likelike, or Harano) and catching that first sight of Kaneʻohe always takes my breath away and makes me feel blessed to live on the Windward side.
  

• Sue Yoshida's Response to: What's your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  I loved playing clarinet in the band and I was also very active in our church youth group.
  

Angel Mabuni was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai’i. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies with a concentration in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a minor in Bible and Theology from William Jessup University. After college she went on to serve a non-profit ministry. While away, her appreciation and love for Hawai’i grew and she longed to serve her home. After almost 10 years on the mainland Angel returned to Hawai’i. She moved to O’ahu to find inspiration and ideas on how to cultivate community. Angel is looking forward to seeing young adults grow in their potential and pursue their dreams knowing there are so many people who believe in them.

• Angel Mabuni's Response to: What hope do you have for today's generation?

  My hope for this generation is that they would recognize what they have to offer and use it to bless the people around them.

• Angel Mabuni's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawai'i?

  My favorite thing about Hawai’i is the unique sense of kuleana we all feel to sustain and nurture the culture and history of our home. I love the way that it creates unity in a way that keeps the ohana mentality alive!
  

• Angel Mabuni's Response to: What's your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  My favorite hobbies in high school were playing soccer, running cross country and throwing huge potlucks at lunch.
  

Debbie Hopkins is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As a retailer for over 25 years, Debbie has been dedicated to developing and participating in various community programs, including mentorships and internships for students from the University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Pacific University and Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Kapili ʻOihana Program among others. A former Kailua Elementary School Community Council Member, Debbie is passionate about programs enhancing education. She is also an advocate for mental health awareness having worked as a mentor and work transition employer with the Friends of Koʻolau Clubhouse.

• Debbie Hopkins's Response to: What hope do you have for today’s generation?

  My hope for todayʻs generation in Hawaiʻi is that they realize that they have the power to create a brighter future for themselves and those around them by seizing opportunities and working hard to strive towards their goals.
  

• Debbie Hopkins's Response to: What's your favorite thing about Hawaiʻi?

  One of my favorite things about Hawaiʻi are the sunrises. There is something truly magical about watching the sun peek over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky. Whether up early for a dip in the ocean or enjoying a cup of coffee on the beach, the sunrise in Hawaiʻi is a moment to cherish.

• Debbie Hopkins's Response to: What was your favorite hobby in your high school years?

  My favorite thing to do in high school was go to the beach. I loved the feeling of sand between my toes and listening to the sound of waves crashing the shore. I was a varsity swimmer and water polo player.