Leading Generations in the Workplace Speaker Bios

Darlene H. Nakayama

As CEO of Palolo Chinese Home, Darlene oversees the nonprofit’s full spectrum of services to meet the needs of Hawaii’s seniors and their families, including its residential hospice house, skilled rehab/nursing facility (113 bed), adult residential/expanded care facility (18 bed), and senior day care center (40 participants) across a 15-acre campus. Beyond on-campus services, Darlene also stewards Palolo Chinese Home’s comprehensive in-home services such as the Palolo Wellness Program offering companionship, light housekeeping, and personal care and the Meals-To-Go program, providing nutritious meals. These vital services enable seniors to stay healthy and strong, and to age in their own homes.

Darlene has brought leadership, passion, and vision to her work at Palolo Chinese Home for over 20 years, and has cultivated over 40 years of health care/nursing experience. Darlene has worked at Wahiawa Nursing and Rehab, Maunalani Nursing Home, Queen’s Medical Center, Kuakini-At-Home, and Rehab Hospital of the Pacific, and serves as a member on the University of Hawaii Nursing Alumni Association.

This past year, Darlene represented Hawaii and attended the AHCA Congressional Briefing and the AHCA Annual Meeting. She met with legislatures and aides in Washington DC, advocating for their support of Hawaii’s health care needs. Most recently she was elected to AHCA’s Not for Profit Council. Darlene also works as an HAH Educational Nurse Planner, and is a member of the HAH Advocacy and Policy Committees.

Recognized among Hawaii’s “Women Who Means Business” and 2024’s “Women Mentors” through Pacific Business News, Darlene is the only Hawaii-based graduate of the LeadingAge Leadership Academy. She has represented Hawaii in meetings with the state’s Congressional Members on health care and housing issues, and is a 25-year member of the Palolo Neighborhood Board, working on local and statewide issues. Advocacy for community health also runs in the family, with Darlene married to a retired medical technologist and the proud mother of two physicians.

Ai Tanaka

Ai Tanaka is the Director of Organizational Development and Effectiveness at Y. Hata & Company where she serves as a strategic advisor to the executive team and leads initiatives that enhance employee experience, improve overall performance, and shape organizational culture. Her role focuses on leading the learning and development programs, promoting continuous improvement, fostering a high-performance culture, and building the organization’s capabilities and capacity in partnership with Human Resources.

A GenXer, Ai finds energy and inspiration in working across generations. She reports to a Baby Boomer executive and leads a vibrant team of talented Millennials and Gen Z professionals. She values and learns from the unique gifts each generation brings and creates inclusive spaces where all voices are heard and supported.

Ai founded Y. Hata’s Back-to-Basics (B2B) Leadership Development Program, and currently oversees retention improvement strategies, and the redesign of technical training for operations teams across the islands. She believes deeply in the hidden potential of every person and is passionate about empowering others to grow and lead.

Outside of work, she practices shigin, a centuries-old Japanese art of chanting poetry, with classmates in their 80s and 90s. These intergenerational experiences and relationships enrich her life and deepen her appreciation for lifelong learning and connections that come from engaging with people of all ages.

Ai is honored and excited to share her experiences on how generational diversity can enrich our work, relationships, and communities.

Kelly Imada, SHRM-CP 

Kelly Imada is a Human Resources Associate with nearly 10 years of experience spanning payroll, data management, onboarding, and recruiting. She holds her SHRM-CP certification and approaches her work with a strong learning mindset, always seeking new ways to grow and support others. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and proudly part of the millennial generation, Kelly brings a unique perspective to generational dynamics in the workplace. She thrives on collaboration and is deeply motivated by connecting people to meaningful opportunities. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with family and actively volunteers with local non-profits, reflecting her dedication to giving back to the community that shaped her.

 J.J. Bernardo

 J.J. Bernardo is a graduate of UH Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business where he earned degrees in Marketing and HR Management. Upon graduation in 2022, he joined Accuity LLP, where the presence of Gen Z professionals is on the rise, contributing to a dynamic, multi-generational culture. He currently serves as People Operations & Talent Specialist, supporting Accuity’s recruiting, culture, and engagement initiatives, while driving broader people operations. Originally from the Hilo side of Hawaii Island, he now resides in Honolulu and enjoys exploring hole-in-the-wall restaurants, discovering indie artists on Spotify, and playing the piano.