The Hawaii Employers Council Launches Leadership Academy for Director-Level Professionals
May 21, 2025
HONOLULU, HAWAII | May 21, 2025—The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Hawaii Leadership Academy. This premier leadership development program is designed exclusively for director-level professionals and above from diverse industries throughout Hawaii.
The Hawaii Leadership Academy, set to begin Sept. 12, 2025, is a five-week, in-person program designed to enhance executive skills and broaden leadership capabilities. The sessions will take place on Friday mornings through Oct. 10. Participants can expect engaging workshops, purposeful networking opportunities, and valuable insights from some of Hawaii’s most respected leaders.
“The Hawaii Leadership Academy is more than a training program — it’s a transformational experience designed to deepen leadership impact at the individual, organizational, and community level,” said Sarah Guay, President and CEO of HEC. “As Hawaii organizations face complex workforce challenges and generational shifts, now is the time to invest in leadership that’s adaptive, inclusive, and future-focused.”
“Organizations should enroll emerging and established leaders who are at the director level and above — people who have the potential to drive your company’s business growth and culture and take on even greater leadership roles,” said Tracie Foglia, Talent Solutions Manager at HEC and the academy’s curriculum lead. “It’s ideal for professionals looking to refine their leadership approach, enhance decision-making, expand their executive network, and gain real-world tools to lead high-performing teams, manage change, and foster employee engagement.”
Participants will benefit from:
Immersive leadership development harnessing their innate leadership strengths.
Candid conversations with C-suite guest speakers, sharing real-world leadership journeys and insights.
Valuable peer-to-peer connections, connecting with like-minded peers from diverse industries and organizations
The five half-day sessions will take place at the Hawaii Employers Council in Honolulu, with a potential capstone celebration at a second Honolulu venue. Each session runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., preceded by early-morning networking and coffee starting at 7 a.m.
The program will be limited to a select cohort to ensure personalized engagement. The inaugural cohort is open to all eligible director-level and above professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills and make a significant impact within their organizations and communities.
The tuition for the entire program is $3,500, with a limited-time early bird discount of $500.
Highlights from the curriculum include:
Leadership Impact: Self, Organization, Hawaii
Leading through Talent & Culture
Leadership Variations
Leading to Preferences
Leadership Strategy
Each session includes a Leadership Talk Story featuring renowned leaders from Hawaii who will share candid insights on purpose-driven leadership in today’s evolving landscape.
The Academy experience will also include exclusive networking events, including a kickoff gathering, breakfast roundtable, and closing celebration.
For more information or to express interest in Leadership Academy, contact:
Tracie Foglia, Talent Solutions Manager
Email: tfoglia@hecouncil.org | Phone: (808) 440-8850
To learn more or apply, visit the Hawaii Leadership Academy registration page at: www.hecouncil.org/LeadershipAcademy2025
About the Hawaii Employers Council
The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) is a private, nonprofit employer association dedicated to helping employers build skilled, engaged, and effective workforces. Founded in 1943, HEC has been serving Hawaii’s business community for over 80 years. HEC serves 800 employers statewide with strategic human resources consultancy on employment law, employee and labor relations, collective bargaining negotiations, pay data and compensation, organizational development and effectiveness, and training.
The Hawaii Leadership Academy, set to begin Sept. 12, 2025, is a five-week, in-person program designed to enhance executive skills and broaden leadership capabilities. The sessions will take place on Friday mornings through Oct. 10. Participants can expect engaging workshops, purposeful networking opportunities, and valuable insights from some of Hawaii’s most respected leaders.
“The Hawaii Leadership Academy is more than a training program — it’s a transformational experience designed to deepen leadership impact at the individual, organizational, and community level,” said Sarah Guay, President and CEO of HEC. “As Hawaii organizations face complex workforce challenges and generational shifts, now is the time to invest in leadership that’s adaptive, inclusive, and future-focused.”
“Organizations should enroll emerging and established leaders who are at the director level and above — people who have the potential to drive your company’s business growth and culture and take on even greater leadership roles,” said Tracie Foglia, Talent Solutions Manager at HEC and the academy’s curriculum lead. “It’s ideal for professionals looking to refine their leadership approach, enhance decision-making, expand their executive network, and gain real-world tools to lead high-performing teams, manage change, and foster employee engagement.”
Participants will benefit from:
Immersive leadership development harnessing their innate leadership strengths.
Candid conversations with C-suite guest speakers, sharing real-world leadership journeys and insights.
Valuable peer-to-peer connections, connecting with like-minded peers from diverse industries and organizations
The five half-day sessions will take place at the Hawaii Employers Council in Honolulu, with a potential capstone celebration at a second Honolulu venue. Each session runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., preceded by early-morning networking and coffee starting at 7 a.m.
The program will be limited to a select cohort to ensure personalized engagement. The inaugural cohort is open to all eligible director-level and above professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills and make a significant impact within their organizations and communities.
The tuition for the entire program is $3,500, with a limited-time early bird discount of $500.
Highlights from the curriculum include:
Leadership Impact: Self, Organization, Hawaii
Leading through Talent & Culture
Leadership Variations
Leading to Preferences
Leadership Strategy
Each session includes a Leadership Talk Story featuring renowned leaders from Hawaii who will share candid insights on purpose-driven leadership in today’s evolving landscape.
The Academy experience will also include exclusive networking events, including a kickoff gathering, breakfast roundtable, and closing celebration.
For more information or to express interest in Leadership Academy, contact:
Tracie Foglia, Talent Solutions Manager
Email: tfoglia@hecouncil.org | Phone: (808) 440-8850
To learn more or apply, visit the Hawaii Leadership Academy registration page at: www.hecouncil.org/LeadershipAcademy2025
About the Hawaii Employers Council
The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) is a private, nonprofit employer association dedicated to helping employers build skilled, engaged, and effective workforces. Founded in 1943, HEC has been serving Hawaii’s business community for over 80 years. HEC serves 800 employers statewide with strategic human resources consultancy on employment law, employee and labor relations, collective bargaining negotiations, pay data and compensation, organizational development and effectiveness, and training.