What are your name, title, organization and accountability?

My name is Cheryl L. Ka'uhane Lupenui, and I am President and Chief Executive Officer for the YWCA of O'ahu. Established in 1900, the YWCA of O`ahu is the largest and oldest women's membership organization in the State of Hawaii. The YWCA's mission speaks to empowering women and eliminating racism. Thus, I see my primary role as opening opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power. The YWCA provides a range of services administered through three centers on O'ahu that improve the lives of women and girls.

When and why did you attend the Women Leading Change program?

My 'wildly delighted' that I committed to at the October 2004 WLC was to seek inspiration and innovation towards my goal of building a leadership center for Hawaii. I had attended several leadership programs locally and nationally prior to learning of IWL. I remember reading Rayona's article in Fast Company (Dec. 2000) and her leadership philosophy made quite an impression on me. After completing the program, I realized I would need more support locally if I was going to integrate this learning into the organization. This September, the YWCA partnered with IWL to host the first-ever Women Leading Change in Hawaii and now we have a 'tribe' of amazing Hawaii women on our voyage!

What skills have you used the most since the program?

The skill that I try to exercise most is my ability to identify the context of a situation first before attempting to 'do' anything about it. There is great power in context awareness and shifting, and I have seen the positive impact it has made in the YWCA and me. I have also learned to listen more generously and ask questions to help others solve their problems rather than feeling it necessary to have all the answers myself.

What business results are you most proud of having produced?

I am proud that we have transformed the YWCA and its culture from a 'team of champions' to a truly champion team.' We have moved way from a 'lone warrior' mentality, which I inadvertently promoted by not knowing when to solicit the support of others. Financially, we are expecting our best bottom-line results in decades. Our plans for a world-class leadership center at the YWCA are in full swing. The fundraising campaign, Power to Change , has a goal of $12 million for capital improvements. This goal was a modest $6 million at the time I first attended WLC in 2004, and I was concerned. Now, I am inspired daily by our staff and volunteers who are moving forward with a passion to help our community and a real belief in the 'power to change.'

What other results are you most proud of having produced?

Personally, I have realized that I am not defined by my accomplishments. I am so much more. So many of us know and do a lot. WLC helps bring us to our 'piko' as we say in Hawaiian- our core being. Being with my husband reminds me how and why this is so important. Our real breakthrough project is to start a family. Nothing has taught me better the need to shift my context than this desire to be a wonderful wife and mother.

What resources do you want from or do you have to offer the rest of the IWL community as you continue your leadership journey?

I would hope that our world-class center becomes a place where women make room for leadership in their lives and learn to lead with extraordinary results. Imagine sustaining the lessons and relationships started at WLC in a place that supports this growth process daily. The YWCA could then be a resource to the whole WLC community. In pursuit of this vision, I am always excited to listen and share information on women and leadership, social enterprise, strategic planning and other topics under the sun. And speaking of 'under the sun,' I can always be counted on as a resource for your next visit to Hawaii!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

At our WLC Hawaii, we shared many stories, one of those being about the ancient art of kapa making as it relates to women and leadership today. One of my favorite traditional sayings about kapa that speaks of our role in fully preparing the next generation of women leaders goes as follows:

Pepe`e a palaholo

'Great trees from little seeds grow.'

Said of the `ama`u fern which furnishes sap used to create the treasured kapa cloth in ancient Hawaii.