Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship
Visiting Experts
Visiting Experts and Creative Greats
Bringing Real-World Insights to the Classroom
The Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship is proud to host a wide range of visiting experts who enrich our students’ learning experiences with practical knowledge, mentorship, and inspiration. These professionals, hailing from diverse industries and backgrounds, bring real-world perspectives to entrepreneurship education at Punahou.
Who Are Visiting Experts and Creative Greats?
Visiting Experts are accomplished entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators who share their expertise with students through workshops, guest lectures, panel discussions, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. Their contributions bridge the gap between classroom learning and the challenges of the real world, offering invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s ever-changing landscape.
In addition, visiting experts also spend time with faculty to provide professional development opportunities. See examples below.
In the past, we’ve hosted accomplished entrepreneurs and innovators such as:
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Barry Kudrowitz, a noted creativity expert focused on how play and humor fuel innovation
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Pixar Animation Studios veterans Tony DeRose and Elyse Klaidman, along with Khan Academy veteran Brit Cruise
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Steven Schwartz, Broadway producer and creator of Wicked
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Broadway actors, including Isaac Powell who played “Tony” in the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story and Wesley Taylor (Rock of Ages and The Addams Family)
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Steve Sue, writer of “Shaka, A Story of Aloha,” along with a screening of the documentary movie on the origin, meanings and uses of the gesture
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Hannah Grady Williams, founder of d’Skills, a venture-backed start-up that teaches AI and other digital skills to young adults
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Corinne Okada Takara, Honolulu-based artist/arts educator who creates technology integrated art projects (and whose art has been featured in the MoMA).
We’ve also hosted many alumni and community visiting experts through our Impact Incubator program. Past Impact Incubator Speakers have included:
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Liane Usher ’96, President of the Hawai‘i Children’s Discovery Center
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Chris Chang ’08, Director of Portfolio Experience at Elemental Impact
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April Hail ’03, Founder of Keiki Kaukau
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Mahina Hardin ’23, Founder of Into the Ecosystem
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Erin Azuma ’18, project coordinator at Hawaii Green Growth
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Taylor Yuen ’23, Founder of amataya
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Chris Bailey ’04, manager of the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center, administered by Leeward Community College
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Noëlle Nakaoka ’20, freelance writer
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Kevin Wong ’90, a beach volleyball Olympian and founder of League One Volleyball, an American women’s professional indoor volleyball league
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Jen Kunishima ’91 Sarsuelo, owner of jewelry company Tidepool Love and cofounder and former owner of Hawaii Doggie Bakery
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Tiana Gamble, owner of the fashion and product companies Bikinibird, Creative Design Hawaii and Goodmerch Supply
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Ellen Sanders ’97 Michino, oil painter and print artist and owner of Michino Studios
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Mike Watanabe ’91, Chief Creative Officer at BrainPOP, an animated educational website for kids
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Annie Hiller ’03 Valentin, founder of the nonprofit Project Vision Hawaii, that gives healthcare access through mobile hygiene units, and public health advisor for the Office of the Governor Josh Green
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John Leong ’96 and Julianna Rapu ’97 Leong, founders of Pono Pacific Land Management and Kupu, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable practices, environmental education and community engagement
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Ryan Hew ’99, attorney and partner at Hew & Bordenave LLP, specializing in providing affordable legal services to small businesses for their start-up and operational needs
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Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Rick Blangiardi and former executive at Telemundo and Hawaii News Now.
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