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A New Level of Leadership

Pictured Above: Left to right: Gary Cornia (Dean of BYU Marriott School), Tony Romero (President of BYUMS), Ryan Barber (BYU–Hawaii Student Chapter President), Joel Deceuster (President Elect of BYUMS), Erin Frederick (BYU–Hawaii Student Chapter Faculty Advisor)
The BYU Management Society (BYUMS), with an increasingly active chapter on BYU–Hawaii’s campus, is making an impact on student life by preparing students for professional careers. The purpose of the society is to network, instill success in students’ career development path, and to provide community service.

On September 23, 2010, the BYUMS opening social in Laie attracted more than 300 students interested in professional organizations on campus and opportunities for career development, networking, and moral and ethical leadership. Erin Frederick, faculty advisor of the BYU–Hawaii Student Chapter, stated, “BYUMS is the one of the best ways to connect and learn by associating with current leaders first hand.” Through lectures, banquets, informational sessions, and other events, the society helps students intermingle with corporate management and executive officers, and teaches students how to perform at a higher level of leadership.  

The BYU–Hawaii Student Chapter was recently recognized with the Dean's Award of Excellence from BYU Marriott School and Management Society – an award given to qualifying chapters who have successfully implemented ethical and sustainable leadership within their chapters.  It recognizes the chapter as being exceptional in building moral and ethical leaders.

The growth in leadership is evident in speaking with Helena Hannonen, BYUMS International Steering Committee member, Asia region. “I became a member of BYU Management Society after I moved to San Francisco Bay area shortly after graduating from BYU. I developed a network, which helped me in my corporate career. Later on I was asked to revive a chapter that had been dormant for a few years. I became the chapter president and created an executive board and advisory board and went to work. Then I was asked to serve in Northern California Region and worked with the chapter leaders to strengthen chapters and start new chapters. Now I have been asked to take over the Asia Region. My life has been richly blessed because of my association with BYU Management Society.”

According the U.S Department of Labors, a person will change jobs 10 to 14 times over the course of their career. Having a healthy network in place throughout a career is often cited as a critical component in finding these alternative occupations. The society helps beyond the first job position, and, because it is separate from the school, it continues to be a resource beyond the second, third, and fourth occupation.

BYUMS teaches students to collaborate with organizations and to create “win-win” situations, rather than to compete. The BYU–Hawaii student chapter works with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) to organize events and share the same interaction with BYU–Hawaii students. Aushra Moreno Ledesma (`10, Accounting), former president of BYUMS, is an example of taking advantage of that which the society has to offer. She redefined the term dedicated member. Her leadership energized the student chapter as she led activities, recruited speakers, and established leadership roles. Due to work by Aushra and others, the new Honolulu Chapter was formed and will officially open in January 2011. Ryan Barber (`09, Business Management) will serve as the president. The president-elect of the BYU–Hawaii student chapter is Tialei Wesley (`12, Business Management).

Students and others interested in joining the BYU Management Society can register online at marriottschool.byu.edu for a fee of $10 per year.

Photo courtesy BYUMS