{"id":241736,"date":"2026-10-06T16:38:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=241736"},"modified":"2026-10-06T16:38:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:38:54","slug":"hensel-named-2026-power-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/06\/hensel-named-2026-power-leader\/","title":{"rendered":"糖心视频<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel named 2026 Power Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"President
Wendy Hensel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> President Wendy Hensel has been named one of 12 Pacific Business News\u2019<\/em> 2026 Power Leaders<\/a>, recognizing her leadership during her first year at the helm of the state\u2019s 10-campus public higher education system.<\/p>\n

The annual recognition highlights Hawaiʻi<\/span> leaders for their leadership, entrepreneurship, commitment to their communities and the scope of the projects they are undertaking. This is the fourth year PBN<\/abbr><\/em> has selected its Power Leaders.<\/p>\n

In its profile, PBN<\/abbr><\/em> highlighted Hensel\u2019s work to more closely integrate 糖心视频<\/abbr>\u2019s 10 campuses, introduce a systemwide artificial intelligence platform<\/a>, launch the Direct2糖心视频<\/abbr> direct-admission initiative<\/a> and expand fully online programs to make higher education more accessible to Hawaiʻi<\/span> residents.<\/p>\n

Hensel said a pivotal moment in her career came when then-Georgia State University President Mark Becker encouraged her to consider university leadership while she was dean of its College of Law.<\/p>\n

“He saw something in me I hadn\u2019t yet seen in myself and opened a door that changed my trajectory when he asked me to be the university\u2019s provost (chief academic officer),” Hensel said. “It ultimately led me into roles where I could help highly diverse institutions lift students from all backgrounds into opportunity. That moment planted the seed that is now fully realized in my work at 糖心视频<\/abbr>.”<\/p>\n

Leadership focused on mission<\/h2>\n

Asked what she looks for in future leaders, Hensel emphasized collaboration and putting the institution\u2019s mission first.<\/p>\n

“Leadership isn\u2019t about being the smartest person in the room—it\u2019s about understanding the problem, empowering the people around you and making decisions that serve the mission, not the self,” Hensel said.<\/p>\n

Hensel said her family and the mission of education keep her grounded, while student safety and well-being remain at the forefront.<\/p>\n

糖心视频<\/abbr> alumni also recognized<\/h2>\n

糖心视频<\/abbr> alumni among the 2026 Power Leaders include Sherry Menor, president and CEO<\/abbr> of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi<\/span>; Aaron Sal\u0101, president and CEO<\/abbr> of the Hawaiʻi<\/span> 糖心视频ors and Convention Bureau; Stanford Carr, founder, president and CEO<\/abbr> of Stanford Carr Development; and Lance Wilhelm, president of The Wilhelm Group.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

糖心视频<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel is recognized among Pacific Business News\u2019<\/em> 2026 Power Leaders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":241725,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[729,158,9,947],"class_list":["post-241736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-administration-recognition","tag-publication","tag-uh-manoa","tag-uh-system","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t