Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Jan Boivin

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

There were many inspiring lessons, but one that comes to mind was a comment from James Koshiba during a Conversation with a Leader gathering. He talked about how mana can grow from kuleana. From that moment, I appreciated kuleana and the energy it can manifest as opposed to purely viewing it as an honor with weight. The concept really hardened for me when I began visiting Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae makai and mauka and felt the vibrancy of its authentic and uplifting leadership and governance.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

We can all point to particular examples of the many Fellows-led programs and projects that have helped Hawai‘i, but what is really a testament to the Omidyar Fellows program is the inspiration that emitted from our Fellows and collective action projects. When we contemplate Hawai‘i’s formidable challenges and the importance of citizens—particularly rising leaders—feeling inspired to try to tackle the very challenges we ourselves will fail to correct during multiple attempts, the Forum has manifested this call to action.

Donlayn Dela Cruz

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

Lessons on difficult conversations.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

Most of the Fellows are involved in work that requires systems change and critical decision making. The Fellows have impacted the community through the relationships built through the program.

Sheila-Anne Ebert

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

Through the Omidyar Fellows program I’ve learned that taking a pause to reflect and reassess life is necessary in one’s journey. This benefits more than just Self, facilitating positive impact in one’s professional and personal relationships.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

Through the Omidyar Fellows program, Fellows have been reconnected to ʻāina, facilitating more awareness and collaboration tending to areas such as Ho‘oulu ‘Āina and Alakoko Fishpond, which perpetuates values of the Hawaiian culture.

Forest Frizzell

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

I think I’ve learned that no matter the mountain I’m trying to climb, there is an ‘ohana that has my back. I may not see the trail clearly, and I definitely will be bushwhacking along the way, but I have a group of folks that will help light the path which makes a ton of difference.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

I don’t think it’s a single event, I think it’s a collective impact of leaders dedicating themselves to positive impact.

Lia Hunt

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

I have come to truly realize my why and how the decisions I made from the time I was a teenager were based off my connection to family, friends, and community. My hermit awakening has allowed me to let go of some misconceptions about my Self.

Bob Lietzke

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

On the personal side, the program helped me better understand my personal leadership style and how to be a more effective leader focusing on my strengths with an understanding of the benefits and challenges of being a quiet leader. The program also helped me to expand my leadership network and develop a much greater appreciation and understanding of the local business community. This expanded network is directly through the Forum and is built upon deep trusted relationships in my own cohort and continues to expand through the Forum of Fellows and beyond. I feel the program and Forum of Fellows build important connections across the business community that are forged in trust and understanding from the shared experience of the program.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

The leadership network that continues to grow in our community through the Forum of Fellows is key to having impactful discussions, collaboration, and negotiations that lead to real change in our community. These range from large scale events and topics like TMT, Red Hill, and others to more tactical impacts like referrals and connections that help place quality leaders into key positions across the business community. Additionally, we’ve made strong strides in highlighting and improving internships in Hawai‘i through direct program efforts and connections. This is another small example, but one that has significant potential for large-scale impact over the long term. As we improve and expand local internship programs, we highlight local opportunities and keep more of our best and brightest home in Hawai‘i. The ripple effects of this for our community and state are potentially unlimited.

Amy Miller

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

Being intentional about listening and getting curious about my colleagues.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

There are so many examples of collaborations both big and small that only happened because of the Fellows program—and I think we’re only at the very beginning of what is possible!

Aki Marceau

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

I still go back to Marty Linsky’s teachings. His HBR article provides some great gems when I’m in a bind.

Susan Tai

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

Designed, executed, and reflected upon in the right way, the Individual Learning Excursion (ILE) during the program is absolutely transformational. To learn how to replicate that in your personal and professional life afterwards is both empowering and pivotal to your continued growth. Totally life-changing!

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

The program and Forum maximize opportunities for broader, deeper, and more meaningful relationships among leaders across the community that can ultimately bring about longer lasting change. It’s up to us to take those resources and opportunities and create that positive change.

Nicole Velasco

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

All of the managing self and energy lessons were timely back in 2016-2017 and continue to resonate within a spectrum of circumstances. The self-work initiated when my cohort began proved critical to my ability to navigate major life changes, to my awareness of where best to spend my treasured resource of time, and to practice the art of surrender. I also learned quite a bit outside of our curriculum, but within the conversations around the pad thai or cookies so sweetly provided during our sessions, particularly about being in The Neutral Zone and understanding what it meant to truly rest. As a recovering “productivity addict,” I understand well that rest is also rebellion.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

While numerous projects and initiatives involving Fellows can be named, I would tout the relationships forged and strengthened as the foundational impact made by Omidyar Fellows and the Forum of Fellows. No relationship = no impact. Surely, we've also had relationships crumble; however, I'd offer that we've had more beneficial community movement as a result of the relationships (many pre-existing) among the Fellows.

Quinn Vittum

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

Learning about adaptive vs. technical challenges and being present in everything I see and do.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

Supporting 100+ local leaders!

Darcie Yukimura

What is something you’ve learned through the program that continues to resonate today?

The Forum of Fellows is a force of dynamic, powerful young leaders with a heart to see Hawai‘i thrive. This community is inclusive and supportive of each other on a personal level. We bring our whole selves to the community, and it is US, the whole of us, together that makes all the difference.

How have the Omidyar Fellows program and the Forum of Fellows impacted the community over the last 10 years?

In a small state, leadership circles can be small and exclusive. Omidyar Fellows has penetrated critical circles and networks to widen them, bringing in less likely, but just as high-caliber leaders from all corners of Hawai‘i.