HONOLULU, HI, January 15, 2019—Teach For America Hawai‘i announced today that it has welcomed Shelley Cramer to its regional advisory board. She will guide the nonprofit organization as it works to build a diverse corps of lifelong leaders in the movement to end educational inequity. New corps members begin their commitment to expand educational opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds by teaching in hard-to-staff public school placements for at least two years.

“We’re thrilled to have Shelley Cramer officially join our board,” said Jill Baldemor, executive director of Teach For America Hawai‘i. “She’s already proven to be an invaluable contributor to our board’s events committee, and we are excited for her to bring her contagious energy, creativity, and passion for education to our team.”

Shelley Cramer is vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue in Waikīkī’s International Market Place. Shelley has been with Saks Fifth Avenue since 2012, continuing a successful career in high-end retail with brands like Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, and Montblanc. As an active educational advocate, she serves as the development chair on the Sacred Hearts Academy board of directors, where she recently helped found the Girls Got Grit mentorship program. She is also a board member for the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra, Hawaiian Humane Society, and Kapi‘olani Health Foundation.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Shelley attended Sacred Hearts Academy and graduated from Maryknoll School. She has a bachelor’s of business administration and management as well as an M.B.A. from Gonzaga University.

“I’m always looking for ways to give back to Hawai‘i,” said Shelley, “Teach For America Hawai‘i has impressed me with their sincere commitment to our schools and communities. I’m honored to work with them to support our public schools.”

Teach For America Hawai‘i Regional Advisory Board

• H. Mitchell D’Olier — Chairman, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation
• Jeff Arce — Senior Advisor, The MacNaughton Group
• Trever Asam — Partner, Cades Schutte LLP
• Lisa Ayabe — Partner, Cades Schutte LLP
• Christine Bean — Program Manager, Roberts Foundation
• Sharon Shiroma Brown — Senior Vice President, First Hawaiian Bank; President, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation
• Glen Kaneshige — President, Nordic Construction PCL
• Paul Kosasa — President and CEO, ABC Stores
• Ritchie Mudd — Founder and Former CEO, RSI Roofing and Building
• Scott Seu — Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Hawaiian Electric Company
• Candy Suiso — Executive Director, Searider Productions
• Tyler Tokioka — Vice President of External Affairs, Island Insurance
• Sharlene Tsuda — Vice President of Community Development, The Queen’s Health Systems
• Elisa Yadao – Vice President and Chief Communications & Community Engagement Officer, HMSA

About Teach For America Hawai‘i

Since 2006 on O‘ahu and 2009 on Hawai‘i Island, Teach For America Hawai‘i has recruited and developed over 800 educational leaders. Beginning as teachers serving public school students affected by poverty, the alumni of our program continue to work across career sectors – including education, law, business, medicine, and government – to improve opportunities for young people and advocate for educational equity. As a native and rural region of Teach For America, we work with local and national partners to provide all students with access to an education that empowers them to be authentic leaders of our local and global communities. For more information about our region, visit www.teachforamerica.org/hawaii and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.