Representatives of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce at the SBN Business Trip 2018

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LUISA KUAEA
Vice Chairwoman for American Samoa Chamber of Commerce

​Luisa is the newly appointed Vice Chairwoman of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce.

Professional Expertise and Consulting Experience

• Marketing - Planning, Research, Strategy, Branding
• Business Development, Retail, and Licensing
• Product Development, Consumer Marketing (B2B and B2C)
• Women in Business, Women of Faith, Strengthening Home & Family
  
• Youth Development, Leadership, and Mentorship
  

Services

• Telephone/Video consultation and needs assessment (up to 1 hour) - NO Charge
• Hourly consultation, meeting facilitation, on-site evaluation (per hour) - $180
• Full day consultation (6-8 hours of meetings/workshops/dialogue) -  $1,400
• Two-day consultation (12-16 hours of meeting/workshops/dialogue) -$2,800
• Extended/ongoing consulting contracts are available - 
• Workshop (1 hour - 25 participants) - $1,250
• Workshop (2-3 hours - 25 participants) - $2,500
• Custom training for groups available upon request - 
• Keynote Speech (up to 1 hour) - $1,000

Contracting

• Upon agreement of desired services and fees, requester will receive invoice via email.
• Payment is due in full upon completion of contracted service(s). Checks can be made out to
• Louise Kuaea.
• Requester pays for Luisa’s flights, hotel, and ground transportation.
• Travel to be booked by requester in coordination with Luisa.

Introduction

Louise “Luisa” Kuaea, MBA is a highly skilled professional with 25 successful years of global management, marketing, and business development experience. Her expertise in building and profitably growing franchises while balancing the interests of shareholders is what makes her a tremendously valuable consultant in the business and non-profit communities.
Luisa is a connector. She has the extraordinary ability to elicit trust from people of disparate backgrounds, to collaborate effectively, and to bring out their best for the betterment of the organization.

Brief Bio

As the daughter of emigrant parents (Nora Letuligasenoa of ili’ili, American Samoa, and Aomalo Fatu Su’esu’e of Utulei and Aua, American Samoa), Luisa cherishes her distinct but complementary Samoan, American, and Christian heritages. Luisa was born in Oakland, CA (USA) but grew up with her eight siblings primarily in the housing projects of Alameda, CA. Luisa’s family life and neighborhood experiences led to the development of her adept interpersonal skills. Her happy childhood/youth allowed her to excel in academics and athletics. Her strong support system gave her the confidence and courage to pursue her interests.

In addition to her years of experience as a business professional, Luisa also worked as a Corrections Officer for the City of Hayward, CA (1997) and later a Police Officer for the City of Alameda (2007), where she also shouldered the responsibilities of a School Resource Officer and the Alameda Housing Liaison Officer. After several years of professional work across multiple careers, Luisa returned to college as a non-traditional student to pursue higher education. She graduated with Honors from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a B.S. in Family Studies (2013) and an M.B.A. from BYU’s Marriott School of Business (2015). Of all the responsibilities Luisa has fulfilled, she considers her roles as a wife and mother to be the most important and gratifying. Luisa views her 25 years of marriage to her husband Kenneth as the most soul-satisfying experience of her life. Together they have raised a precocious and beautiful daughter and enjoy living in American Samoa.

Experience

• President, The Kuaea Group; Pago Pago, American Samoa; 2017—Present
  
• Provide marketing and management consulting services to small business owners, corporate executives, and community leaders in American Samoa
• Services include product management, marketing planning, strategic business development, market research, human resources planning, and career development training
• Sr. Product Manager, CR Bard; Salt Lake City, UT; 2013—2016
  
• Responsible for the commercial success of the acute dialysis and central venous catheter franchises, $100M ($350M Industry)
• Sustained double-digit business growth that positioned Bard Access Systems as the market leader in the acute dialysis catheter segment
• Awarded Marketing Excellence 2016 for successfully launching new medical products
• Directed project teams in the strategic development and implementation of new medical
• devices
• Partnered with Regulatory and R&D teams to revamp and implement the internal marketing
• operations approval process to reduce inefficiencies and improve the timely delivery of
• collateral
• Developed and led extensive market research plans to explore new revenue streams and
• opportunities for product development
• Supported a global sales force by developing promotional sales tools and leading the Sales
• Advisory Panel for the franchise
• Planned and facilitated national sales meetings, franchise reviews, and new product
• development presentations
  
• Police Officer, City of Alameda; Alameda, CA; 2007—2010
  
• Responsible for the safety and well being of more than 75,000 residents
• Appointed Housing Authority Liaison - partnered with the Alameda Housing Authority to
• reduce crime and improve quality of living in 12 housing complexes for more than 550
• low-income families
• Appointed School Resource Officer - partnered with the Alameda Unified School District to
• combat bullying and adolescent crime—managed the “Safe Schools” program, trained faculty
• and staff
• Appointed Peer Support Trainer - developed a program to provide personnel with a safe,
• nonjudgmental, and confidential environment that facilitated trust and openness for officers
• seeking assistance with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Proficient in CISM response (critical incident stress defusing and debriefing), individual and
• family crisis, natural disasters, counterterrorism, and city riots
  
• Product Development Manager, Mighty Play/LeapFrog; San Francisco, CA; 2005—2008
  
• Sourced new business opportunities to improve cash flow for an interactive media start-up
• Provided third-party recruiting services (selection and hiring) for technology firms
• Assisted Founder/CEO with special projects, operations, marketing, financials, sales, and
• human resources needs
• Collaborated with producers to innovate, design, and manufacture educational toys and
• trained new hires; implemented a new hire orientation for contractors and temporary
• employees
• Managed hiring and recruiting budgets by developing established metrics to improve selection
• and to track individual contribution and team performance
• Revamped overall strategy for the Education Advisory Board and managed activities including
• product development, board meetings, annual retreats, and quarterly conferences
• Researched and analyzed consumer satisfaction data through focus groups, surveys, and online reviews
  

Sr. Marketing Manager, Target Corporation; Hayward, CA; 1999—2004

• Directed the marketing and licensing activities of 265 stores through 5 managers and 4 merchandising divisions
• Negotiated $1.2MM annual co-op advertising and promotional dollars with vendors to support licensing strategies
• Earned Mervyn's the License Magazine award for Licensing Retailer of the Year 2002
• Awarded Marketing Above and Beyond for negotiating a 3-tier corporate brand with Disney
• Trained and led a team of marketing professionals to revamp the company image through
• innovative marketing and branding solutions
• Managed and promoted nearly 1,000 brands
• Secured and managed domestic and international licensing partnerships with Disney, Pixar,
• Universal Studios, Warner Bros, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, Lucas Films, Viz Media, Sony, and
• Sanrio
• Partnered with media agencies and vendors to negotiate cost-effective media buys including
• print, TV, radio, and online
  
• Marketing Manager, Target Corporation; Hayward, CA; 1999—2002Managed vendor and media agency relationships—developed creative concepts for TV, radio, print, and online campaigns
• Planned and executed company-wide and community events—grand openings, celebrity & character appearances, product launches, business expos, sports engagements, etc.
• Developed corporate-wide events to increase market share, e.g. Beach Bash
• Liaison and brand manager for merchant client groups and vendor partners
• Facilitated weekly advertising elements, seasonal campaigns, and brand messaging
• Created Executive in Training - a successful internship program to acquire premium talent
• Managed ethnography studies to explore new market segments and expand customer base
• Assistant Advertising Manager, Target Corporation; Hayward, CA; 1996—1999
  
• Managed advertising planning processes for divisions - Children’s, Men’s, Women’s, Shoes, Accessories, Home, and Intimates
• Managed content for print, media, TV, and online marketing campaigns
• Awarded Associate of the Year 1998 for exceptional support to merchandising teams

Education

Brigham Young University • MBA 2015
Brigham Young University • BS Family Studies 2013
UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education • Product Manager Certificate 2006 Alameda County Sheriff’s Office • POST Certification 2007

Volunteer/Community Experience

​Chairman • BYU Alumni American Samoa 2017
UC Chairman • Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition 2015
Board Member • Utah Pacific Islander Civic Engagement Coalition 2014 Patient Ambassador • Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center 2014 Board Member • SLC Pacific Islander Business Alliance 2014
Youth Mentor • Utah State Hospital 2012-2013
Stake Young Women President • San Leandro Stake LDS Church 2007-2010 Stake Relief Society Counselor • San Leandro Stake LDS Church 2003-2004 Primary President • Oakland 8th Ward LDS Church 1999-2002

Awards

Retailer of the Year 2003 by License Magazine
Above and Beyond Marketing Award 2004 by Target Corporation Guidon 2008 by Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Police 140th Academy Marketing Excellence 2016 by CR BARD

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ELLA GURR
Board of Directors for the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce, American Samoa Government (ASG) 

Ella is one of the Board of Directors for the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce and currently serving as the American Samoa Government (ASG) Liaison.