Emerging Leaders Program

ACEC Hawaii's Emerging Leaders Program is focused on developing the next generation of engineering leaders in Hawaii.

Cohort #4 Now Underway!

The ACECH Emerging Leaders Program launched its fourth cohort on February 16, 2023 at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kakaako. This year’s cohort includes 18 students representing 15 ACECH member firms:

Kai Akiona-Ferriman, G70; Irina Constantinescu, Brown and Caldwell; Sara Doi-Tanaka, Bowers + Kubota Consulting; Grant Harrington, Yogi Kwong Engineers; Allison Ichikawa, Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc.; Carly Kaneko-Uejo, Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc.; Bryce Kanemura, Kraig K. Otani & Associates, LLC; Brett Kuamoo, Wilson Okamoto Corporation; Joe Kwan, The Limtiaco Consulting Group; Norman Leong, Okahara and Associates, Inc.; Mitchell Nagata, MK Engineers Ltd.; Eric Nguyen, Masa Fujioka & Associates; Chris Pruitt, Coffman Engineers, Inc.; Steven Ikaika Rodenhurst, Bowers + Kubota Consulting; Jason Soriano, Okahara and Associates, Inc.; Ryan Valerio, AECOM; Juanita Wolfgramm, Community Planning and Engineering Inc.; and Ryan Wubbens, Burns & McDonnell.

Geared towards Hawaii’s future engineering leaders, the ACECH Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is an intensive nine-session program conducted over a 9-month period. The program was established in 2018 and has graduated three cohorts consisting of 58 students in total.

Each session consists of an all-day workshop held once a month in a roundtable classroom environment. The program format allows participants to absorb what is learned and apply it to their jobs in the time between sessions. In addition, the time between sessions is also needed for reading course materials and small group assignments. The sessions typically follow the same schedule, consisting of group “check-ins”, small group discussions, book reviews, lunch speakers, and afternoon course topics. Topics include personal mastery and emotional intelligence, building and leading high-performing teams, marketing and communications, business development, contracts and risk management, financial management, and government affairs.

Applying for the ACECH Emerging Leaders Program consists of completing an online application form with basic information, including contact information, education, employment history, and a brief questionnaire. A short conference call with the program facilitators may also be conducted at the discretion of the selection committee. All candidates are notified of their application status within a few weeks after the application closing date.

Selected candidates need to have the full support from their firm leadership and should make a commitment to attend all nine sessions. The tuition fee includes all course materials, books, lunches and refreshments.

If you are interested in enhancing your career and boosting your firm’s success, please complete our online contact form. For more information on the program, download this flyer.