Founder

Get to know the Founder

Elsie Raguindin Rose grew up in Waipahu trying to fit the mold of a second generation Filipino growing up in Hawaii, by her parents who migrated from the Philippines in Ilocos Sur and Norte, and her father worked as a sugar plantation laborer (Sakada). She lived in a neighborhood of other plantation families and learned the dynamics of leadership being the fifth child out of a family of eight through family interactions, speaking engagements, and volunteering activities.

She started at August Ahrens Elementary with leadership training and parliamentary procedures, moving to Waipahu Intermediate School leading as class president, and to Waipahu High School moving up to Student Government President. She held weekly leadership training and planning sessions in her home since funds were not available. Plus, she initiated proposals and rallied petitions for evening sessions at the legislature, department of education, and community meetings on behalf of the students.

After the passing of her dad, she was thrust into managing her family’s real estate holdings in addition to attending classes and working part-time at the university’s career center. Having a humble start in commercial real estate, she learned the ropes at Hastings, Conboy, Braig & Associates as an analyst and appraiser. When she joined Arthur Andersen LLP, an international management consulting firm, she was given the opportunity to be placed on the most complicated and complex assignments and propelled her into greater heights of growing in professional understanding in the corporate and business circles locally, nationally, and globally; moving on to national task groups and being recognized for her work to be used as a global template.

Working in corporate America in San Francisco, she experienced a taste of history. A friend showed her the Filipino Centennial Celebration video and a profound realization that filled a void that would not go away. She was then empowered to help others advance in their professions. In her early career in commercial real estate, she was the only Filipino female in her environment; and experienced what it was like to be unique. She was able to actively participate in professional firms taking keen observations of others’ work ethics, family values, and culture.

Trained as a student leader in her pre-college days and as a business professional after college, she felt this was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Sakadas’ history. With a fervent desire to share the past and this wealth of understanding in the current and future generations, this allows her to give back to her home community and make a holistic difference with the Spirit of Aloha…

With every intention to inspire others to greater heights in every aspect of their lives, this nonprofit organization will be positioned to reach and empower current and future generations throughout the world.

Elsie Rose’s career background is primarily in commercial real estate, valuing and consulting on the business of shopping centers, office buildings, retail buildings, warehouses, golf courses, religious facilities, leases, and master-planned land developments. Her gifts lie in marketing, feasibility and business cycles, strategizing, and customizing by analyzing the unique natures of each subject.

Many of her projects in her 15-year career ranged from $20 million to $1 billion, because of this experience, she is able to use this expertise and apply them to smaller projects.

With her leadership training and experiences from childhood tied to the community and her professional training from corporate America, she hopes to bridge the best of both worlds uniting and inspiring everyone with the Spirit of Aloha.