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Kanae hopes more women enter business
Kanae Quinn
Local community leader Kanae Quinn was pleased to be among the seven nominees for this year’s 12th Annual Businesswoman of the Year, joining IT&E director of network operations Velma Palacios who are vying for the Maga’håga award program.
The former Pacific Islands Club executive is hoping that her and Palacios’ nomination could inspire other women to start their own business or aspire to climb up the corporate ladder. She added that she’s willing to help them achieve their dreams.
Palacios is also IT&E’s manager of engineering and manager of plant technical services.
“I hope that more women would aspire to run their own businesses or seek top positions in companies. I would be happy to ‘mentor’ other women who are interested in starting a business as there are no tangible programs that cater to them at the moment,” said Quinn.
She owns Quinn Consulting LLC and also one of the partners of Marianas Fitness Ltd., which operates Gold’s Gym Saipan. She is also active in the community where she is a board member of Make-A-Wish Foundation and among the mentors in the hospitality international certification program given by Latte Training Academy in partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.
Quinn said the business sector seems to remain a man’s world but she believes their nomination would recognize the women’s contributions to the CNMI.
“Around the world, the percentage of women executives and business owners still pales in comparison to men. The same is true for the CNMI. As such, this nomination gives recognition to all women in our community,” said Quinn.
She said being nominated alone was already an honor and she enjoyed the time she spent with her fellow candidates. “When the nominees got together for the press conference and luncheon a few weeks ago, we truly felt an instant bond and all became fast friends. We laughed and enjoyed spending time together.”
Quinn added that they are all looking forward to the annual gala on April 29 at the Hyatt Regency Guam. “I believe we have already won.”
