Lieutenant Governor of Guam Honorable Joshua Franquez Tenorio with the Young Pacific Leaders taking part in the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, in Guam.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
The Lieutenant Governor of Guam Honorable Joshua Franquez Tenorio says Pacific women are the pillars of their communities, and it is vital initiatives such as the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) exist to continue to elevate women.
“When you think about history and what we have been confronted with, it is important to have programs which uplift women,” says Lt Governor Tenorio while addressing 25 Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) gathered for the AWE launch and Dreams Become Reality Conference, in Mangilao, Guåhan, over the past week.
“Every time we get the opportunity to host people from around the region is great as Guam has been so isolated for so long, and with ours being a matrilineal society, it is apt to host this group.”
Through the power and prestige held by women in Guåhan, much of the Chamorro culture, language, music, dance, and traditions, have been able to survive.
The current Governor of Guam Honorable Lourdes Leon Guerrero is the first woman to take office and it was due to her persistence, Lt Governor Tenorio accepted his role in office in 2019.
His efforts embrace sustainable development and her has worked tirelessly to expand youth programs and opportunities, reduce homelessness and poverty, expand drug and alcohol treatment initiatives, and improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems throughout the island territory.
An advocate of the United States Government’s YPL initiative, Lt Governor Tenorio says leadership roles are finite.
“Your time in a leadership role is limited, so make the most opportunities in front of you.”
The same can be said for business prospects, and his words touched his audience, who are at various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Networking focus
Throughout the week, the group heard from keynote speakers, attended workshops, and visited local businesses such as the Valley of the Latte eco-tourism park, Chamorro Village, Guam Green Growth Maker’s Space and the GUMA Maker’s Market.
Participants enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Latte eco-tourism park.
Networking has been a major focus throughout the week, and the group attended sessions with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GWCC).
President of the GWCC and local AWE participant Dena Rendon Pangelinan says this week has been invaluable, as she embarks on establishing her own consultancy.
Academy of Women Entrepreneurs participant Dena Rendon Pangelinan, from Guam.
Originally from California, but residing in Guam for nearly 20 years, Dena is gearing up to take advantage of the current boom in the maritime industry in the Northern Pacific.
“I have worked in the private sector for 13 years and now I am looking to transition into operating my own maritime consultancy,” Dena says.
“There is a military build-up in the Northern Marianas, as well as all the projects happening here in Guam, which brings in a lot of opportunities for local and small businesses to take advantage of an expand.”
With more ships coming in there is a need for more support on the ground across all industries, and services, Dena adds.
Her goal is to provide a service which connects the maritime community to Guam businesses, while creating awareness among the naturally seafaring Pacific people, and to grow pathways for Guam’s youth and women, who may be interested in a maritime career.
Successful outcomes
While the AWE conference has provided the opportunity to connect with like-minded women entrepreneurs, learn new skills, and build confidence by practicing business pitches among the other participants, the knowledge building continues with online learning until October.
The conference theme, Dreams Become Reality, was literal for some participants, including Akanesi Kaufusi, who started the marketplace platform, Siuhuu, featuring Pacific Island products and services.
Akanesi says she applied to AWE with the desire to learn more on how to expand and grow the platform.
“The women here at this conference are exactly the type of sellers who could benefit from being on Siuhuu,” Akanesi says.
Throughout the week-long conference, Akanesi has recruited her fellow AWE participant Rachel Bowie, a consultant from Papua New Guinea, who is looking to sell bilum bags online, to join the platform.
Founder of Tahiti Art Crafts Manuia Maiti from French Polynesia and Tinanom Soap Company owner Carmenlyn Quintanilla from Guam are also keen to join Siuhuu to sell their products.
Meanwhile, Founder and CEO of Innovative Insights Consulting Petti Tagipo Matila from American Samoa took the opportunity to connect with Lt Governor Tenorio during his address to the AWE group, about how she could potentially provide technical assistance with the implementation of the $500 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds following Typhoon Mawar in 2023.
Petti was instrumental in securing the same CDBG-DR funds for the American Samoan Government, as a result of Cyclone Gita in 2018.
Petti Tagipo Matila from American Samoa.
Achieving success
United States Pacific Regional Engagement Specialist Mara Hosoda Su’a says the AWE Guam cohort has shown determination and tenacity to succeed.
“I am really looking forward to seeing what your businesses look like in 20 years’ time, and how your success has benefitted your families, communities and country economies,” Mara says.
“The US Government deeply values the Pacific region and its partners and the YPL program aims to strengthen leadership development and networking in the Pacific, and the AWE helps to build resilient communities and economies.
“We have seen all these aspects at play this week and they will be amplified throughout the year as the women continue their AWE journey.”
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State initiative.
