Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Hawai‘i
LeaderLuncheon is YWCA Oahu’s annual celebration of the profound impact women have on our community and far beyond. It is a space to highlight what becomes possible when leadership is open to all, unhindered by race, gender, or economic status.
Meet the Honorees
Darlene Blakeney
Darlene N. Blakeney is Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at First Hawaiian Bank, overseeing the Wholesale Banking Group and serving as CEO of First Hawaiian Leasing, Inc. since 2017. She joined the bank in 2015 with more than 25 years of experience in corporate banking, business banking, commercial real estate lending, and credit review, following 18 years in senior leadership roles at Bank of Hawaii and nine years as Director of Finance & Operations at a Honolulu nonprofit school.
A dedicated community leader, Ms. Blakeney serves as a trustee for the Hawai‘i State Employees’ Retirement System, Chair of the Committee on Trustees for Le Jardin Academy, and a Director for the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i. She is a past Board Chairperson of YWCA O‘ahu and has held leadership roles with Goodwill Industries of Hawai‘i, the Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation, and other nonprofit organizations.
She earned her MBA with a 4.0 GPA and BBA from the University of Hawai‘i, completed graduate business studies in Aarhus, Denmark, and is a graduate of both the Pacific Coast Banking School and the National Commercial Lending Graduate School.
Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer, First Hawaiian Bank; Chief Executive Officer, First Hawaiian Leasing, Inc
Kaleialoha Cadinha-Pua‘a
Kaleialoha “Kalei” Cadinha-Pua‘a is the Vice Chairman, CEO, President, and Chnvestment Officer of Cadinha & Co., LLC. Introduced to investing at a young age by her father, she built a distinguished career in financial management after graduating from Punahou School and earning a business administration degree from the University of San Diego, where she was a WCAC All Scholar Athlete.
She joined Cadinha & Co. in 2000, rising to President in 2007, CEO in 2012, and Vice Chairman in 2018, while also leading the firm’s investment strategy as CIO. Honored by Honolulu Magazine at the 2025 Inaugural Celebrating Wahine Awards recognizing 39 women making significant contributions across Hawai‘i, she also serves as Vice Chair of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Board of Governors.
A frequent contributor on CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange, Kalei has helped position Cadinha & Co. among CNBC’s Top 100 Financial Advisors globally. She is committed to advancing financial literacy, particularly for women and Native Hawaiians.
Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Investment Officer, Cadinha & Company
Principal, Chief Executive Officer & President, Office Pavilion HawaiiWendy Shewalter
Wendy Shewalter is the Principal, CEO, and President of Office Pavilion Hawaiʻi, a leading woman-owned, family-run contract furniture dealership founded by her mother, Gerri Hayes, in 1986. She joined the company in 1988 and became CEO in 2016, continuing her mother’s legacy while guiding the company’s growth. Today, Office Pavilion is consistently recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s top women-owned businesses.
A graduate of Kalaheo High School and the University of Hawaiʻi, Wendy originally planned to pursue medicine before choosing a path that allowed her to prioritize family and contribute to the family business. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to service and community impact. Under her direction, Office Pavilion supports numerous nonprofits, including YWCA Oʻahu and Ho‘ola Na Pua. Wendy has also served as Past President of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise and as an Advisory Board Member for the Family Business Center of Hawaiʻi.
Vice President, Community Engagement, Atlas Insurance Agency; President, Tradewind Group Foundation Dana Tokioka
Dana M. Tokioka is Vice President of Community Engagement at Atlas Insurance Agency, where she has led major initiatives since 2010 that helped position the firm as a nationally ranked top 100 independent agency. Her work spans IT development, financial reporting, and risk program design for financial institutions and other enterprises. She previously practiced real estate and corporate law in California and served as an economic business analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton, supporting financial and programmatic assessments for the U.S. Army. A graduate of Tufts University, she holds both an MBA and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University.
Since 2020, Dana has served as a Director of Bank of Hawai‘i, where she brings strong leadership and strategic experience in IT, finance, risk management, and law to the board. Ms. Tokioka is a committed supporter of Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. She serves as President of the Tradewind Group Foundation, overseeing both the Island Insurance Foundation and the Pacxa Foundation, which together support more than 120 nonprofits annually. She also serves on the boards of the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship, Teach for America – Hawai‘i, and Hawai‘i Public Radio, and has previously held leadership roles with Tradewind Capital Group, IC International, YWCA O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Theatre, and Hawai‘i Imin Shiryo Hozon Kai.
Table Sponsorship Information
Join us in supporting a powerful cause at the YWCA Oahu's LeaderLuncheon! This event celebrates incredible women leaders in our community, and YOU can be a part of it by sponsoring a table!
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Premium table seating for three-course lunch (8 guests)
VIP reception sponsorship
Introduction of VIP sponsor(s) and inclusion of Visionary table guests at VIP reception
Hosted validated self-parking (8 guests)
Name and logo recognition in four (4) HI Now segments highlighting LeaderLuncheon honorees
Full page, color ad, exclusive placement
YWCA Oʻahu mission-themed table gifts (8 guests)
Exclusive YWCA sponsor banner
Prominent recognition in YWCA O’ahu marketing channels (printed newsletter, e-newsletter, social media, website)
Premium recognition in onsite event materials & program
-
Premium table seating for three-course lunch (8 guests)
Invitation to VIP reception for all table guests
Hosted validated self-parking (8 guests)
Name and logo recognition in four (4) HI Now segments highlighting LeaderLuncheon honoree
Full-page, color ad in printed program
YWCA Oʻahu mission-themed table gifts (8 guests)
Recognition in YWCA sponsor banner
Prominent recognition in YWCA O’ahu marketing channels (printed newsletter, e-newsletter, social media, website)
Recognition in onsite event materials and program
-
Premium table seating for three-course lunch (8 guests)
Invitation to VIP reception for all table guests
Hosted validated self-parking (8 guests)
Half-page color ad in printed program
YWCA Oʻahu mission-themed table gifts (8 guests)
Recognition in YWCA sponsor banner
Recognition in YWCA O’ahu marketing channels (printed newsletter, e-newsletter, social media, website)
Recognition in onsite event materials and program
-
Table seating for three-course lunch (8 guests)
YWCA Oʻahu mission-themed table gifts (8 guests)
Recognition in YWCA sponsor banner
Recognition in YWCA O’ahu marketing channels (printed newsletter, e-newsletter, social media, website)
Recognition in onsite event materials and program
-
Table seating for three-course lunch (8 guests)
YWCA Oʻahu mission-themed table gifts (8 guests)
Recognition in YWCA sponsor banner
Sponsor listing in event program
For nearly five decades, YWCA Oʻahu has taken the lead on recognizing the women in our community who are making extraordinary contributions and creating lasting positive impact. This year, we will continue this legacy with our 49th Annual LeaderLuncheon, where we honor four women for their exceptional accomplishments and celebrate our long legacy of uplifting women and inspiring new generations of women leaders in Hawaiʻi.
