Editor
For the first time in its 61-year history, the East-West Center will be having a woman and native Hawaiian as President, according to the Board of Governors.
Ms. Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, a former Major General in the US Army, has been named the institution’s next president after an extensive search to get a successor for the outgoing president Dr Richard R. Vuylsteke at the beginning of the new year.
The Hawaii, US-based East-West Center, as a global institution, promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Founded in 1960, it has been a resource centre for information and analysis on major issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.
By this announcement, Vares-Lum, who goes by Suzy, becomes the first woman and first native Hawaiian to lead the Center since it was founded in 1960.
In her response to the appointment, Suzy said she was humbled and honored by the opportunity to continue to advance the vision of the East-West Center.
“The Indo-Pacific region presents many future opportunities and solutions to global issues, and the Center is renowned as an inclusive space for bringing people of diverse histories and cultures together to build regional understanding through the sharing of ideas, perspectives, and solutions for all of our communities,” she said.
“I truly believe that EWC, and Hawai‘i, play a unique role in bridging East and West to address the critical issues that will impact our future generations.”
Through a statement it made available to Prime Buisness Africa, EWC said that the Board selected Suzy Vares-Lum from an impressive applicant pool of talented and experienced individuals.
EWC Board of Governors Chair, Dr. James Scott, in making the announcement, said: “We are very confident that her breadth of successful leadership experience in the Indo-Pacific, as well as her strong interpersonal qualities, are a great match for the East-West Center. The Center’s Board of Governors is absolutely thrilled to work closely with Suzy as we build upon the terrific work of Richard Vuylsteke and his staff to position the East-West Center for its next era of prominence and success.”
Vuylsteke, who will be starting a faculty position at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies after his departure from EWC following a five-year term, said, “I am delighted with the Board’s selection. Suzy has long been a great friend and partner of the Center, and I am fully confident that she will further strengthen the Center’s relevance and impact in the region. I look forward to working with her on a seamless transition.”
As a Major General in the US Army, Ms. Vares-Lum had advised the most senior officials at the US Indo-Pacific Command, where she maintained key relationships among nations within the Asia Pacific Region. After retiring from the military in April after 34 years of service, she formed a consultancy on Indo-Pacific issues. She is a seasoned speaker and advocate on regional issues; leadership development; and women, peace and security, and has led a number of collaborative initiatives in the Pacific.
As a community leader, she serves on a variety of nonprofit boards, including the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region. She has also worked to promote Hawai‘i’s economic diversification and workforce development, as well as fostering community dialogues on issues regarding land and water. In addition, she has served as a strategic advisor to the Hawai‘i Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council.
Born and raised in Wahiawā on the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu, Ms. Vares-Lum received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master of Education in teaching from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. In 2019, she became a National Security Fellow of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and she is also an alumna of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. In 2017, she was a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and in 2021 she received certificates of recognition for outstanding service to the State of Hawai‘i.
Ms. Vares-Lum is a resident of Kāneʻohe, Hawai‘i, and is married with two adult daughters.
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