24 graduate from Pacific Executive Leadership Development Program

The 2019 graduates of the Pacific Executive Leadership Development Program pose for a souvenir photo at their graduation in Honolulu, Hawaii, last June 14, 2019. (Contributed Photos)

WASHINGTON—Twenty-four individuals from across the Pacific region comprising the Pacific 2019 cohort of the Pacific Executive Leadership Development Program graduated from the program in a ceremony at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, last Friday, June 14, 2019.

“Congratulations graduates, we are proud of your hard work! You have invested in your professional future and we have invested in you,” said Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, in a video message played at the ceremony. “We will look to you to help improve the lives of people in the islands.”

Republic of the Marshall Islands president Hilda Heine presided at the graduation where she delivered the keynote remarks.

“Having public servants with the right mix of leadership skills and qualities is essential,” Heine said. “You were all leaders when you joined this program, but there’s no doubt you’re better leaders today following your thoughtful and deliberate efforts during this program.”

Crystal Simanu of American Samoa, chosen by her peers to speak on behalf of her fellow graduates, said, “The ELDP has effectively equipped us to handle any and every situation that comes our way. We now head back to our respective home islands to make changes for the better.”

The graduation ceremony in Honolulu was preceded by a capstone week of training that featured the 2019 cohort giving final presentations of team projects to a panel of judges, which consisted of Office of Insular Affairs director Nikolao Pula, former director of the Micronesian Seminar Rev. Francis X. Hezel, and president of the Guam Community College, Dr. Mary Okada.

“I am impressed by the caliber of young leaders that are representing the U.S. territories and the freely associated states today,” said Pula. “I emphasized to the graduating class the importance of the leadership quality of integrity. As President Eisenhower once said ‘The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible…’”

Additional sessions included the finalization of personal growth plans and individual leadership profiles. They also held final training sessions and discussions on key topics, such as government ethics, performance measurement, and challenges future island leaders will confront.

The 24 graduates of the 2019 Pacific Executive Leadership Program are:

American Samoa
Katrina Hunkin-Seumanutafa
Pilivesburg Pezega Salanoa
Crystal Elizabeth Simanu

Guam
John P. Camacho, Jr.
Rodalyn May A. Gerardo
Northern Mariana Islands
Michelle Cabrera Atalig
Ryan Camacho
Patricia L.L. Coleman
TaAnn Kabua-Demapan
Roxalyn Kaminanga

Federated States of Micronesia national government
Erick Paul
Shaun Suliol

Chuuk State, FSM
Sherlyn T. Reynold
Wisney Nakayama

Pohnpei State, FSM
Mitaro I. Simina

Yap State, FSM
Vallynna Gippin

Republic of the Marshall Islands
Maybelline Bing
Laurence E. Edwards, II
Holden Nena
Isabela Silk
Francyne Wase-Jacklick

Republic of Palau
Antonnette Odeurengul Merur
Sunny Ochob Ngirmang
Cheryl-Ann Udui

Several keynote speakers addressed the ELDP throughout the week, including Adm. Philip Davidson, commander, Indo-Pacific Command; Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO, Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association; Rev. Francis X. Hezel, SJ, author and historian, Micronesia Studies; Kumu Ramsay Taum, Life Enhancement Institute of the Pacific; and Nainoa Thompson, “Pwo”, navigator of the Hōkūleʻa.

Administered by the Graduate School USA’s Pacific Islands Training Initiative, the ELDP is funded through the Office of Insular Affairs’ Technical Assistance Program, which is funded annually by Congress.

The ELDP was created in 2009 to help island governments in the U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States address challenges with attracting and retaining qualified individuals to work in core leadership functions.

The full video of congratulatory remarks can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/342584953. (PR)

Marshall Islands president Hilda Heine speaks to the 2019 graduating class of the Pacific Executive Leadership Development Program in Honolulu on Friday, June 14, 2019.