TOC Board of Directors
The Board of Directors 2023-2024
Left to right: Denise Soderholm, Scott Wilson, Gordon Aoyagi (front), Jonathan Sudler (back), Diane Harding, Kathleen Bryan,
Whitney Bosel, Cheryl Langton, Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis, Joan Gossett [Missing: Maureen Murphy, Stan Oka, Paula Ress]
Left to right: Denise Soderholm, Scott Wilson, Gordon Aoyagi (front), Jonathan Sudler (back), Diane Harding, Kathleen Bryan,
Whitney Bosel, Cheryl Langton, Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis, Joan Gossett [Missing: Maureen Murphy, Stan Oka, Paula Ress]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024
President: Diane Harding
Vice President: Maureen Murphy
Treasurer: Denise Soderholm
Secretary: Whitney Bosel
Branch Representative: Cheryl Langton
Nominations Chair: Kathleen Bryan
Advisor: Scott Wilson
Director: Gordon Aoyagi
Director: Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis
Director: Joan Gossett
Director: Stan Oka
Director: Paula Ress
Director: Jonathan Sudler
President: Diane Harding
Vice President: Maureen Murphy
Treasurer: Denise Soderholm
Secretary: Whitney Bosel
Branch Representative: Cheryl Langton
Nominations Chair: Kathleen Bryan
Advisor: Scott Wilson
Director: Gordon Aoyagi
Director: Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis
Director: Joan Gossett
Director: Stan Oka
Director: Paula Ress
Director: Jonathan Sudler
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Diane Harding, President
Diane is starting her second year as President and has served as President of the Lani-Kailua Branch of The Outdoor Circle since 2014, and on The Outdoor Circle Board of Directors in various capacities since 2008. She was born and raised in Kaneohe and has lived in Kailua for the past 45 years. Diane has an Applied Mathematics degree from MIT and is a retired software developer in the fields of geophysics, ocean science and seafloor mapping. She has also served as a University of Hawai‘i Foundation Windward Community College Ambassador. Diane also manages the Lani-Kailua Branch website through which she is actively involved in the digital online archiving of The Outdoor Circle’s rich history. Maureen Murphy, Vice President Maureen moved to Hawai‘i after earning a BS in Ornamental Horticulture in 1978. In 1990 she started Horticultural Consultants International, a landscaping company that specializes in beautification projects, tree pruning and consulting. She is a Certified Arborist, a Registered Consulting Arborist, and a landscape contractor. In addition to a BS, she holds a Master’s degree in Horticulture and a degree in Fruit Science. Maureen was introduced to The Outdoor Circle in 1980 and has been involved ever since. She has held various positions in several different branches, depending upon where she was living at the time. In the mid 2000’s she served on the TOC Board as Vice President and is excited to be serving again. She also serves as the President of the Kaua‘i Branch. Whitney Bosel, Secretary A member of the Manoa Outdoor Circle, and an enthusiastic gardener and committed conservationist, Whitney was born and raised in Honolulu. She holds dual undergraduate degrees with Honors in Geography, and Fine Art, as well as a Minor in French from the University of Washington in Seattle. She helped spearhead a program for the social sciences at UW connecting students through multi-disciplinary panel lectures, events, and a shared calendar across the previously siloed disciplines. After undergrad, she served on a board dedicated to urbanism and design in Seattle, and worked in materials at an architecture firm before switching coasts and earning a Masters in Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, where she also served on the board of the Graduate Student Alliance. She worked in architecture in New York City for a few years after that, primarily in residential and retail projects, while also undertaking landscaping projects, before returning to Hawai‘i, where she now spends much of her free time digging in the dirt. Denise Soderholm, Treasurer Denise grew up in Mesa, AZ and moved to Honolulu in 1992. She joined TOC’s Board in 2003 as Assistant Treasurer and then served as Treasurer for 3 years and Vice President for 2 years before becoming President in 2009. Initially, Denise joined the Board at the urging of her late Mother-in-Law, Jane Morris, a long-time member of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle. She remains committed because TOC represents a mission she believes in. Denise and her husband, Erik, own and operate Soderholm Bus & Mobility. They sell and service buses, wheelchair accessible vehicles and auto adaptive driving aids. Their two children, Gus and Gabi, who spent many afternoons in the TOC conference room, share a passion for environmental issues, and work in the business with them. Cheryl Langton, Branch Representative This is Cheryl’s 10th term on the Board, though she has a long history of support for The Outdoor Circle’s work. She is currently in her sixth two-year term as President of the Waimea Outdoor Circle, where she oversees the management of their Ulu La‘au Nature Park. She previously served on The Outdoor Circle’s Branch Representative Committee, part of that time as the Branch Representative. She is happy to again take on the role. Kathleen Bryan, Nominating Committee Chair Kathleen previously served three terms as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee on the Board and currently is embarking on a fifth term on the Board serving as Nominating Committee Chair. She has 30 years of financial experience and retired as Vice President and Manager of Financial Planning from the Bank of Hawai‘i. Kathleen makes fused glass and jewelry, loves hula, and is also the Treasurer for the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle Branch. Scott R. Wilson, Advisor Scott Wilson grew up in Ventura County, California, and has lived in Hawaii since 1980. He has Architecture and Urban Planning degrees from the University of Hawai‘i and has operated his own architectural practice in residential and commercial design since 1993. He has been a member of various community and professional organizations, including Malama Manoa (BOD member, President 2007-08), American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honolulu chapter (BOD member, Chair Regional & Urban Design Committee, President 2015), Friends of the Natatorium, Friends of the Haiku Stairs and Hawaii’s Thousand Friends. He has been a member of the The Outdoor Circle Public Affairs Committee since 2016 and spearheaded the effort to write the Public Policies approved by the Board of Directors in 2019. Gordon Aoyagi, Director Gordon is President of The Outdoor Circle Manoa Branch Board 2023-24. He is retired and has been in Hawai‘i since 2015. With about 40 years of mainland local government Senior Executive experience, he was a public transit manager in Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, and Maryland. He also managed County Administration, Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue, Homeland Security, and was a consultant in Public Safety and Public Policy. He has served on national, state and local non-profit boards, and is an active Colorado College Alumnus. He is also a Vietnam veteran. Gordon received a BA from Colorado College and MPA from the University of Colorado. Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis, Director Mimi was born and raised in Honolulu and attended Hawai‘i public schools. She participates in many outdoor activities including swimming, stand up paddling, sailing, fishing and gardening. Her environmental passion includes collecting and removing marine debris, including fishing line, lead and lures from Oahu's nearshore waters. She believes the protection of green space can and must be at the forefront of Honolulu’s sustainable future. Mimi’s vision includes partnerships between The Outdoor Circle, industry, and the community to maintain Oahu’s natural beauty. She is a licensed real estate agent and previously worked in the maritime industry. Joan Gossett, Director Joan was born and raised on Oahu and now resides on the island of Hawai‘i, where she is President and Recording Secretary for the East Hawai‘i Outdoor Circle Branch. A TOC member since 1998, Joan held various positions with the North Shore Outdoor Circle until moving to the Big Island, including Recording Secretary, Vice President and Co-President. She has been in the event production business since 1983, and holds a degree in drama and theatre from the University of Hawai‘i. She believes TOC is a critical agency for helping educate the public and our state and county agencies in our planetary fight against climate crisis, using the planting and caring of trees for carbon sequestration, shade and greening our world. Stan Oka, Director Originally from Maui, Stan retired after heading the Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) for 22 years. He started out as an entry-level horticulturist in 1983 for the City and County of Honolulu, eventually working his way through the Department of Parks and Recreation to be the lead administrator of DUF, ending his 44-year civil service career in September 2022. During his tenure at DUF, he improved operations, including the Exceptional Tree Program, and helped to expand the urban forest. As a long-time arborist and early proponent of preserving Hawai‘i’s natural beauty, his advocacy for trees comes through in his sentiment, “Each tree contributes so much life and benefits. Our job is to preserve that and work together to keep growing our forests.” Paula Ress, Director Paula has been an enthusiastic member of The Outdoor Circle’s board over the past 20 years and an active member of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle Board. She and her husband are long-time adopters of a small coconut park in Kailua, active workers on the landscape and outreach at Kailua United Methodist Church, is on the board of the Kalaheo High School Foundation, and she became a certified Citizen Forester for a tree inventory project on Oahu. Jonathan Sudler, Director Jonathan has been a TOC member since 2017, as well as the Secretary for the Arborist Advisory Committee to the Mayor’s Office, Hawai‘i County, since 2018. He is a designer and corporate event planner, holding an MFA in Sculpture with a minor in religious studies and a strong interest in Art History. Jonathan is in constant search of creative solutions to many professional challenges. He considers that, “The Outdoor Circle is a positive reaction to the many environmental challenges we face here in Hawai‘i and abroad. As we care for our trees, they care for us.” |
Our Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers all working towards the best interests of The Outdoor Circle. They help to ensure the organization is well-managed, well-funded, and satisfies its mission to keep Hawai‘i clean, green, and beautiful.
The Board is elected by the members of The Outdoor Circle every year at its Annual Meeting held in the Fall. The Nominating Committee accepts and reviews potential nominations to the Boards and recommends a slate of candidates to the membership. If you are interested in being considered for a position on the Board, please click here to send us a cover letter explaining your interest in serving on the Board and your resume detailing your experience and areas of expertise. You must be a member of The Circle to serve on the Board of Directors.
The Board is elected by the members of The Outdoor Circle every year at its Annual Meeting held in the Fall. The Nominating Committee accepts and reviews potential nominations to the Boards and recommends a slate of candidates to the membership. If you are interested in being considered for a position on the Board, please click here to send us a cover letter explaining your interest in serving on the Board and your resume detailing your experience and areas of expertise. You must be a member of The Circle to serve on the Board of Directors.