CTL Team

Our Leadership Team

The CTL team works every day in classrooms across the state to engage, equip, and empower young leaders for Hawaiʻi.


Katie Chang, Executive Director

CTL Team since 2011

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.

April Nakamura, Associate Director

CTL Team since 2012

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.

Joy Yoshida, High School Programs Coordinator

CTL Team since 2019

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.

Lahela Manning, Student Leadership Facilitator

CTL Team since 2016

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.

Trisha Ramelb, Student Leadership Facilitator & Marketing Coordinator

CTL Team since 2020

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.

Chaz Mihara, Student Leadership Facilitator

CTL Team since 2021

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!

Shannon Kim, Student Leadership Facilitator

CTL Team since 2022

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.

Sue Yoshida, Office Manager

CTL Team since 2022

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.

Angel Mabuni, Student Leadership Facilitator

CTL Team since 2022

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.

Debbie Hopkins, Special Events Coordinator

CTL Team since 2023

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.