HumanizeHer

Hawaii, you exceeded every expectation. 🌺 When HumanizeHer was founded, the dream was to create spaces where women could walk in as strangers and leave as collaborators, champions, and community. Last weekend at Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in Honolulu, that dream became real in the most beautiful way. Our first Hawaii launch brought together some of the most extraordinary women leaders and changemakers on the island — and what unfolded was something we couldn't have scripted. Raw conversations about leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to build something meaningful. The kind of dialogue that doesn't end when the event does. A heartfelt mahalo to the Shangri-La Museum and the Doris Duke Foundation for opening their doors and holding this space with us — and a special shoutout to Leilani Farinas for being the heart behind making this partnership a reality. Your vision and generosity made all the difference. 🤝 And to our incredible panelists — Dawn Lippert, Meli James, and Chenoa Farnsworth — thank you for your honesty, your vision, and your generosity of spirit. But this community deserves its own moment. This all started with a single LinkedIn post asking for help building something meaningful in Hawaii. You all showed up and delivered beyond anything we could have imagined. Arleen Fernando, Cerell Rivera, and so many more too many to mention — thank you. You know who you are. 🤍 And to the HumanizeHer crew who crossed an ocean to be there in person — with 8 bags of gear in tow — that means everything. You didn't just support this, you made it real. 🌊 Erica Lockheimer Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser Becky Davis Jazmine Orozco Lugo Kristen Basile West Ash Blodgett Nathalie Rodriguez and Alina Tyulyu - photo credits. The conversations from that evening are already turning into partnerships, collaborations, and next steps. That's the power of bringing the right women into the same room. And this is just 1 of 100 photos and videos and 4 podcasts coming your way. Wait for it and subscribe to get notified. 😉 This is just the beginning of HumanizeHer in Hawaii. 🌺

Have you ever redefined success on your own terms? ✨ Meli James, Co-Founder & General Partner, Mana Up, explains how a quarter-life crisis at 25 became the catalyst for building a career with intention. 🗺️ By mapping out every interest on a wall, she shifted from a reactive mindset to ownership and intentionality. 🧠 This focused approach helped her create her first successful company which was the top-rated wine app on the iTunes platform for five years. 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

What happens when a Silicon Valley tech trailblazer returns home to Hawaiʻi with a mission to keep talent and opportunity on the islands? In our latest Visionary Voices episode at Shangri La, a Center of Cultures & Ideas and Museum of Islamic Art, we sit down with Meli James, Co-Founder of Mana Up. She is living proof that you can stay rooted in your community to build a global powerhouse from home. This episode is a masterclass in growth, featuring: 📱 The Silicon Valley Blueprint: Meli’s "quarter-life crisis" at 25 and how life coaching led her to launch Nirvino during the early iPhone era. 💡 The Birth of Mana Up: Why she pivoted from tech to product-based companies to ensure local entrepreneurs don’t have to leave Hawaiʻi to find success. 🚀 Scaling the "Hawai’i Brand": Why Hawaiʻi is a world-class aspirational brand and how to navigate the "not-so-sexy" side of business—like HR and governance—to go global. 🌟 De-Risking Investments: How Mana Up Capital uses real-time consumer data from their retail stores to bridge the gap between local makers and venture capital. 💸 Ownership Mentality: The power of authentic storytelling and regional pride in keeping jobs and wealth within the community. 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT 🎙️ Scaling Hawaiʻi’s Economy with Mana Up | Meli James | Shangri La x HumanizeHer HumanizeHer x Shangri La “Visionary Voices” brings HumanizeHer’s signature conversations to Shangri La, a Center of Cultures & Ideas and Museum of Islamic Art in Honolulu, Hawai’i, featuring three special episodes with visionary women leaders from Hawai’i. In this episode of HumanizeHer, we sit down with Meli James - born and raised in Hawai’i, she left for Cornell University and caught the entrepreneurship bug in Silicon Valley during the early era of iPhone apps where she co-founded Nirvino, the number one wine app on iTunes - and then came back home to Hawai’i and changed everything. As Co-Founder and General Partner of Mana Up, she has helped over 100 Hawai’i-based brands - like Kō Hana Rum, the first class beverage on Hawaiian Airlines. She has scaled to global markets, generating over 113 million dollars in revenue and creating hundreds of jobs right on the islands. Her mission: keep the talent, the opportunity, and the economic power in Hawai’i - where it belongs. Episode Highlights: 💥 Silicon Valley Blueprint: Meli shares her "quarter-life crisis" at 25 and how life coaching led her to launch Nirvino, a mobile wine app that dominated the iTunes platform for five years following the launch of the iPhone. 💥 Birth of Mana Up: Driven by the desire to ensure local entrepreneurs don't have to leave Hawai’i to find success, Meli discusses the founding of Mana Up. She addresses the skepticism she faced when pivoting from tech to product-based companies and her goal of creating 100 Hawai’i-headquartered companies generating over 113 million dollars in revenue. 💥 Scaling the "Hawai’i Brand": The conversation delves into why Hawai’i is one of the world's most aspirational and trusted brands. Meli explains how Mana Up helps local makers navigate the "not-so-sexy" side of business - HR, governance, and global scaling - to get products like Kō Hana Rum and LexBreezy onto the global stage. 💥 De-Risking Investments: Meli introduces Mana Up Capital, a venture fund that invests in accelerator graduates. She explains how their retail initiatives, including the House of Mana Up stores, allow them to de-risk investments by observing real-time consumer data before funding. This episode is a masterclass in "ownership mentality," illustrating how authentic storytelling, mentorship, and regional pride can turn local products into global powerhouses while keeping jobs and wealth within the community. 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Reclaiming your composure in high-pressure moments starts with the simple act of slowing your roll. 🧘‍♀️ Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, explains that when anxiety happens, the brain naturally wants to fight or flee, but the most effective response is to intentionally 🫀 manage your heart rate and breathing. 🌬️ Overstimulation can happen in any environment, not just at work, and staying grounded in those fast-paced moments is vital for maintaining healthy interactions. 🫂 🌟 Something as simple as focusing on your breath or using this quick trick can instantly reset the brain and restore clarity. This mindfulness ensures that even when things feel overwhelming, the focus remains on your presence and showing up as your best self. 💁‍♀️ 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

A full circle moment. Long before it became a core part of her book, Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, was using a whiteboard and a piece of paper to change lives with The Goldilocks Framework. The Goldilocks Framework helps you navigate your career path with total clarity. By mapping out your core values and motivators, you can pinpoint the environments where you will actually thrive. 🚀 Documenting your unique superpowers and tracking what gives you energy is the final piece of the puzzle. 🧩 This intentional approach ensures you find the role that aligns perfectly with your true self. ✨ 🎧 Join the conversation with host, @EricaLockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on @YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s better to be told you have food in your teeth than to walk around in the dark because no one felt comfortable enough to tell you.🦷 Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, believes that being too polished or demanding creates a barrier that silences necessary feedback. The most grounded leaders advocate for their ideas with confidence while listening as if they are completely mistaken. It’s a rare balance that requires trading the ego of being right for the benefit of being informed.🤝 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

“The right way usually is the hard way.” 💯 Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, emphasizes that 60% of a leader's performance is tied to their approach and presence, while for HR professionals, that human element accounts for 90%. 🫨 It’s easy to become transactional during times of industry change, but maintaining integrity requires a constant focus on the human side of every interaction. 🫂 Building a culture of trust is achieved through mastering leadership execution. When one leads effectively, people feel respected and valued, no matter the circumstances. 🏆 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Find the difference between being wanted and being needed. 💡 Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, reflects on a career-defining moment when a colleague helped her identify her core motivator. She realized that her greatest impact happens when she steps into messy, fundamental challenges that require deep transformation to make an organization self-sustained. 🛠️ True growth involves recognizing when your work is finished and having the courage to move on to the next place where your skills are essential. It’s about the intentional choice to go where you can provide the most help rather than staying where you are simply comfortable. ✨ 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

This approach is fueled by a desire to leave every environment better than how she found it. ✨ Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, reflects on being compared to Mary Poppins for her habit of showing up exactly where the work is most critical. ☂️ This perspective highlights a shift from seeking where we are simply wanted to identifying where we can offer the most value. 🧭 Rather than taking the easiest path, she chooses to lean into the challenges that need her expertise the most. 💪 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

We came to Hawaiʻi for Women’s History Month, but we stayed to answer a call to action. When the floods hit the island, our schedule went out the window. We delayed our event by two weeks to refocus and mobilize. Our priorities became crystal clear - it was all about the people. We met with Kalei Gamiao, who shared the heartbreaking reality of what his community - and so many others - lost in the flooding. We didn’t just want to hear their stories, we wanted to help in whatever way possible. That’s why we created the HumanizeHer Hawaiʻi Relief Fund. @EricaLockheimer, our Founder and CEO, is personally matching every single donation until we hit our target. To date, she has already distributed $14,000 to 13 families. We are keeping things fully transparent, every dollar is tracked, verified, and going straight to the people who need it. Our goal is $30,000. With your donation, she will double it. If you are able to give, any amount helps. Your generosity goes twice as far because Erica will match it. Hawaiʻi showed us the meaning of Aloha. Now it’s our turn to show up for them. 🌺 Donate Here: humanizeher.com/hawaiifund Distribution Receipts: gofundme.com/u/humanizeher-…

True belonging happens when company values move from the page into everyday practice. 🤝 Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, believes that current shifts in DEI provide a unique opportunity to move beyond surface-level trends and focus on intentional commitment. It’s a time for organizations to slow down, define what they truly stand for, and find ways to operationalize inclusion at every level. 🏗️ ‼️By prioritizing a culture of belonging, we create an environment where individuals from all backgrounds can show up as their authentic selves and reach their full potential. ✨ 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

👑 Ever heard of the Emperor’s New Clothes? In leadership, the "Ivory Tower" is the quickest way to end up like the Emperor - walking around in your underwear because no one has the heart (or the courage) to tell you the truth. Pat Wadors (CHRO, Intuitive) joined the HumanizeHer Podcast to drop a truth bomb: If you are too polished, too perfect, or too demanding - your team won't tell you where you’re making mistakes. Pat’s strategy for avoiding the "Leadership Shadow"? 🏰 Ditch the Tower - Sit in the cubes, hit the cafeteria, get to know the human (not the title) 🌀 Stay "Perfectly Imperfect" - When you’re approachable, people feel safe enough to tell you when you’ve got "food in your teeth" 🎯 Always Calibrate - Use 360s & the "Start, Stop, Continue" method, because what works for one person might not work for another. The Goal? Show up in a way that makes your team actually want to invite you back. 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Everyone can learn to slow your roll to catch the patterns that might pass you by. 🐌 Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, spent years fighting the labels that come with being a struggling student. After years of extra credit to get a passing grade, she discovered that her brain simply processed information differently than those around her. Once she understood her dyslexia, she began using color-coding to naturally pace her neurological processing. 🎨 This shift allowed her to transform a perceived weakness into a powerful tool for leadership and success. 🚀 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT 🎙️ Ever felt like the labels placed on you were holding you back? ✋ This week, we sit down with Pat Wadors, CHRO, Intuitive, to discuss how she turned a dyslexia diagnosis into a leadership superpower. If you’re looking to navigate a career pivot or lead with more authenticity, this episode is your roadmap. Inside the episode: 🧠 Reframing Dyslexia: How Pat uses pattern recognition to solve complex organizational problems. 🏆 The Goldilocks Framework: A signature tool to help you find your "just right" career fit. 🦸‍♀️ Leading with Humanity: Why "slowing your roll" and breathwork are essential for modern leaders. ✨ The Power of DIBs: Insights from the visionary who coined Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT 🎙️ From Dyslexic to HR Legend - Unlocking Your Superpower | Pat Wadors In this episode, we welcome the legendary Pat Wadors - current Chief Human Resources Officer at Intuitive and former HR visionary at LinkedIn, ServiceNow, and Yahoo. Known for her transformative leadership and for coining the concept of DIBs (Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging), Pat dives deep into her journey of "stumbling" into HR and eventually becoming one of the most influential voices in the field. Episode Highlights: 💥 Overcoming Labels: Pat shares her personal story of being diagnosed with dyslexia at age 19, reframing a perceived disability into a "superpower" for pattern recognition and creative problem-solving. 💥 Goldilocks Framework: Pat introduces her signature decision-making tool - the “Goldilocks Framework” - designed to help professionals find their "just right" fit by mapping values, motivators, and superpowers. 💥 Leading with Humanity: From the "Mary Poppins" philosophy of going where you are needed to the importance of "slowing your roll" through breathwork, Pat provides actionable advice on managing with grace, even in difficult times like layoffs. 💥 The Power of Storytelling: Drawing from her book, “Unlock Your Leadership Story”, Pat uses folk tales like “The Elephant and The Blind Men” to illustrate the necessity of curiosity and seeing the full ecosystem of a problem. This episode is a masterclass for anyone looking to lead with authenticity, navigate career pivots, and build high-performing, healthy organizations. 🎧 Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 🔗 Links in bio

We just wrapped an incredible production day of storytelling and connection at the Shangri-La Museum in Hawai’i. We had the honor of being in conversation with these powerhouse women: 🤙 Meli James | Co-Founder, Mana Up & President, Hawaii Venture Capital Association 🌺 Chenoa Farnsworth | Managing Partner, Blue Startups & Managing Director, Hawaii Angels and conference happening now East Meets West. 🏝️ Dawn Lippert | Founder & CEO, Elemental Excelerator We recorded these episodes in the historic space that was formerly the living room of Doris Duke. From recording new podcast episodes to witnessing the incredible energy in the room, this is exactly what it looks like when women take up space. ✨ It was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, and we can’t wait to share these stories with you soon. Stay tuned for what’s coming next. 🎙️