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Curious About Smarter Hiring? Come Check This Out.
A team of UH students have been working on a new tool to help employers cut down on time spent conducting first-round interviews—and they’d love your input! Their AI bot conducts the initial interviews based on the job’s criteria, asking technical and skill-based questions, then rates the interviewee. They’ll walk you through what they’ve built, how it works, and give a live demo. If you’re hiring or thinking about hiring in the future, this is a great chance to see something new, ask questions, and maybe even test it out before anyone else.
Topic: Insights from across the leadership journey—those stepping up, guiding others, and already leading
Stepping into a higher leadership role in a family business isn’t just about title or function—it’s about navigating trust, timing, and team dynamics. This conversation will bring together panelists across the transition spectrum—from those currently stepping up to those helping others do the same. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance or during registration. Whether you’re in the midst of a transition or planning ahead, this is a chance to explore the challenges and growth opportunities that come with evolving leadership.
We invite your questions—your input helps shape the conversation. Share what you’re curious about and be part of this meaningful exchange.
Meet our panelists and moderator:
Lari Zelinsky-Bloom is the CEO and Owner of Zelinsky Company, a family-owned and operated commercial and industrial painting company. She began working for her father’s company in 2002, learning the business from the ground up before taking over operations in 2006.
Lari and her husband, John Bloom, entered the business without formal education in business or construction—Lari came from a background in commercial lines insurance, and John had experience in sales. Through mentorship from Lari’s father, the dedication of their employees, and years of hard work, Lari and John successfully grew Zelinsky Company into one of the largest painting contractors in Hawaii.
Today, their daughter Alee and son-in-law Darin have stepped into successor roles as Lari and John begin to plan their exit strategy.
Matthew Casamina is the Chief Operating Officer at House of Finance, a family-owned mortgage company based in Honolulu that has been serving the local community since 1995. With over two decades of experience in finance and IT, Matthew brings a strong background in operations, technology, and client service. Prior to joining House of Finance, he held roles at Finance America, the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, and KLA. He holds a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
Sean Dunham is an Estimator at Kawika’s Painting, where he has been a dedicated team member since 2010. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Denver, with a minor in Construction Management. He is a Certified Master Painters Institute Maintenance Coatings Specialist.
Raquel Guss Curran is the Director of Strategy at ALTRES, a family-owned business in Hawaii. A third-generation leader, she drives strategic initiatives and operational improvements for the company’s future. She co-founded the ALTRES Leadership Academy, a program focused on developing leadership skills like communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. Raquel is actively involved with EO Hawaii, the Gift Foundation, and as a Pacific Century Fellows alumna.
Born and raised in S.E. Texas, John Speed started as Kilauea Pest Control in 2002 after attending BYU-HAWAII where he and his wife Jennifer met. They have three children and have lived on the windward side for twenty years. John completed his MBA at the Shidler school business at UH in 2008.
John has served in several capacities for the Hawaii Pest Control Association and in 2021 He was nominated by Gov Ige to the State DCCA Stuctural Pest Control Board where he now serves.
In recent years, Kilauea has received accolades including Hawaii’s best places to work awards (2022, 23, 24), Hawaii’s most philanthropic companies (2023), Hawaii’s top 250 companies (2022, 23, 34) and in 2024 became Hawaii’s only pest company to be on the PCT Top 100 Pest Companies in the US by Revenue.
In his free time John enjoys spending time with his family, faith and nonprofit service, travel and gaming. In 2019 John competed in the Ironman world championships in Kona and in 2024 began work on his private pilots license.
Donnel Nunes is a behavior and social learning specialist with over 20 years of experience in education, mental health, and family business advising. He serves as Director of Innovation and Partner at the Aspen Family Business Group 501(c)(3), where he leads efforts to expand access to advisory knowledge and tools for families in business. Donnel specializes in helping multigenerational families navigate complexity, strengthen communication, and build a culture of trust and learning through tailored educational experiences.
Based in Hawai‘i, Donnel is also President of PVA Consulting and a senior facilitator with Classic Leadership Institute. He holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a master’s in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University. His research focuses on mentoring between family members, and he regularly speaks at national and international conferences. Blending academic insight with practical tools—including AI integration—Donnel helps clients manage transitions with clarity, resilience, and purpose