Aloha Kakou!
It is my deep pleasure to serve as your Executive Director for a three year term. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, that I am forever indebted to APALA for my professional and personal growth over the last ten years, and I hope that APALA has contributed to your professional story as well. Graduating at the height of the recession, full time professional gigs were slim, but I found a network and a support system in APALA that helped me grow the skills, knowledge, and network necessary to find meaningful work both within APALA and within my institution as a full time employee. I’ve served APALA in a number of capacities including as a member and chair of multiple literature awards committees, Chair of the Family Literacy and Focus Committee, recipient of the travel scholarship and APALA’s 2011 Emerging Leader. I also served as an at-large board member, secretary, 2016-2017 APALA President and was APALA’s JCLC 2018 Steering Committee representative.
While my work now is primarily behind the scenes to help the Executive Board and our members with paperwork, institutional and historical knowledge, and guidance, I want members to know that I am here for all of you and would love to hear your thoughts and concerns as we continue to grow our organization. We’ve got a great year ahead of us under the leadership of Alanna Aiko Moore and her focus on solidarity, a topic that I know our members are passionate about and are always striving towards. Building bridges with our brother and sister communities and supporting one another is what all of the ethnic affiliates are about, and I look forward to building more bridges together. Imua!