Karen AkaExperience Designer & Facilitator Emerita
Karen Aka has been involved in education and human development for over 40 years. Her career started as special education teacher in the inner city of Pittsburgh, PA, then moved to supervisory positions. At One Shared Future, she designs experiences to promote growth for community and public sector professionals. Her work is informed by adaptive leadership theories and the 4MAT: The Natural Cycle of Learning framework.
Karen’s education includes a Bachelor’s in Education from Ohio University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She is also certified by the Clifton School of Strengths, a Division of the Gallup organization as a StrengthsFinder coach. Karen is part of the OSF team because it is purpose-driven and strengths-based. This unleashes the staff (and clients) to contribute to the well-being of Hawai‘i.
Professional development to help organizations grow
Victoria Hanes, PsyD
From the first session, I immediately felt the “buzz” that I get when I am around a group of action-oriented, like-minded individuals…It is rare that we get to slow down and appreciate who we are, where we are and where we would like to be.
Judy Mohr Peterson
We sent 9 people from our team to take part in OSF’s Appreciating Change series. Every person expressed that the experience impacted their work—and was sometimes life-changing. We’ve seen marked changes in how these individuals engage with their teams.
Lisa Maruyama
The One Shared Future cohort experience…especially the mixed, cross-sector approach…provides a safe space for building important enduring relationships across sectors.
Dan Mistak
I’m grateful for One Shared Future because it provided us the opportunity to meet new friends and colleagues who are fighting the same battles! We got to… identify ways that we can move together toward better serving our brothers and sisters across the state.
Chris Molina
I loved my experience with One Shared Future. The sessions… provided me the time and space to appreciate, engage, and create. My cohort experience has been an enriching one full of new relationships and exciting opportunities and possibilities.
Lee-Ann Heely, DM
OSF provides a safe, trusted space necessary for affecting positive change, building bridges, and removing barriers between public and private sector leadership and teams.