February 4 is the registration deadline for the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit in Hawaii, presented by the Japanese Women’s Society Foundation. It takes place from Thursday, Feb. 13, to Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
The three-day event includes a welcome reception, all-day leadership conference featuring keynote speaker Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and culminates with a fashion show and luncheon, “Elegance in Paradise,” featuring designs by Keiji Tagawa, Kensei Takeda and Eden in Love. Boutique sales by various vendors will take place in the foyer on the day of the fashion show.
The summit provides a unique networking opportunity for women from different generations and professions, from throughout Hawai‘i, the U.S. mainland and Japan. Five conference sessions will promote dialogue among women on leadership challenges in the workplace and maintaining balance in life.
Former broadcast journalist Barbara J. Tanabe, the first Asian American woman in television news in the United States, will serve as emcee. Summit panel topics include “Leadership and Mentoring,” moderated by Jan Yanehiro with panelists Royanne Doi, Hawai‘i Supreme Court Justice Sabrina McKenna and Merle Okawara; Life Balance: “It’s All About Me,” with Alice Inoue; “Changing Faces in the Boardroom,“ moderated by Susan Yamada with panelists Susan Eichor, Kyoko Kimura and Phyllis Campbell; and “Changing the World, Making a Difference,” with Dianne Fukami and Debra Nakatomi.
The fashion show, “Elegance in Paradise,” features the haute couture beaded embroidery gowns of Tokyo-based designer, Keiji Tagawa. Japanese media personalities and celebrities often seek Tagawa’s custom gowns for awards and formal occasions. Also featured will be intricate jewelry designs by Kensei Takeda, owner of Chez Kensei Hair Salon. Informal modeling of outfits from Eden in Love will take place during the luncheon.
In addition, women from the Nozomi Project will also be at the fashion show boutique to share their special jewelry.
Nozomi, translated as “hope” in Japanese, is a social enterprise bringing hope to women adversely affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Ishinomaki, Japan. Nozomi women are working with the community to create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry using broken pottery left in the wake of the tsunami, as well as other stylish products incorporating traditional materials and techniques. For more information visit www.nozomiproject.com
Cost for the three-day event is $300. Cost for the Friday summit event alone is $150. Cost to attend the Saturday fashion show is $100. Premium seating and tables of 10 are also available.
For more information or to download registration and payment forms, visit www.jwsf.org.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!