TOC Board of Directors
The Board of Directors FY 2024-2025
Left to right: Front Row - Melanie Kosaka, Brenda Lam, Tyler Dang, Kathleen Bryan, Whitney Bosel, Stan Oka
Back Row - Diane Harding, Christian de Quevedo [ Missing: Joan Gossett, Cheryl Langton, Steve Mechler, Maureen Murphy, Denise Soderholm ]
Left to right: Front Row - Melanie Kosaka, Brenda Lam, Tyler Dang, Kathleen Bryan, Whitney Bosel, Stan Oka
Back Row - Diane Harding, Christian de Quevedo [ Missing: Joan Gossett, Cheryl Langton, Steve Mechler, Maureen Murphy, Denise Soderholm ]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024-2025
President: Diane Harding
Vice President: Maureen Murphy
Treasurer: Kathleen Bryan
Secretary: Whitney Bosel
Branch Representative: Cheryl Langton
Development Chair: Melanie Kosaka
Nominations Chair: Christian de Quevedo
Advisor: Denise Soderholm
Director: Tyler Dang
Director: Joan Gossett
Director: Brenda Lam
Director: Steve Mechler
Director: Stan Oka
President: Diane Harding
Vice President: Maureen Murphy
Treasurer: Kathleen Bryan
Secretary: Whitney Bosel
Branch Representative: Cheryl Langton
Development Chair: Melanie Kosaka
Nominations Chair: Christian de Quevedo
Advisor: Denise Soderholm
Director: Tyler Dang
Director: Joan Gossett
Director: Brenda Lam
Director: Steve Mechler
Director: Stan Oka
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Diane Harding, President
Diane is starting her third 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. 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. Kathleen Bryan, Treasurer 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. Cheryl Langton, Branch Representative This is Cheryl’s 11th 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, a wonderful resource to the community. Melanie Kosaka, Development Committee Chair Melanie was first drawn to The Outdoor Circle in memory of her father and his love of trees. That connection was strengthened when she worked with the organization on public relations and focus group projects on ways to help TOC broaden their appeal. She is an award-winning media producer and the president and founder of First Daughter MediaWorks, Inc., a digital and live experience content company. Founded on her passion for sharing stories on people, places and culture, her credits include five national culinary series for PBS and development of digital campaigns for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Japan Airlines, HMSA, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Her work has been distributed in more than 60 countries and is a James Beard Award recipient for Best National Television Series and an Emmy Award winner. A storyteller at heart, her focus is to create content that is authentic to a project's purpose and soul. Digital projects include mobile product development, including NOM, a live culinary app that was named a “favorite app” by Apple. Christian de Quevedo, Nominating Committee Chair Raised in the vibrant community of Honolulu, Christian's educational journey began at Punahou School. His pursuit of academic excellence led him to the Richardson School of Law and the Shidler College of Business, where he distinguished himself by earning both a Juris Doctorate and a Masters in Business Administration. These academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his entrepreneurial ventures. As the owner and operator of Lē'ahi Landscaping, Lē'ahi Nurseries, and Hyperion Realty, Christian seamlessly integrates his passion for environmental sustainability into his business ethos. Under his leadership, Lē'ahi Landscaping, the first and only all-electric landscaping company in Hawai‘i, has become synonymous with eco-friendly landscape design, installation and maintenance, while Lē'ahi Nurseries focuses on the propagation and sale of native plants that support local ecosystems. Hyperion Realty, his real estate venture, emphasizes sustainable development and green building practices. Christian's commitment to environmental stewardship is matched only by his love for the ocean. An avid waterman, he can often be found surfing all around the island, embodying the harmony between his professional endeavors and personal passions. Denise Soderholm, Advisor 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. Tyler Dang, Director Tyler was born and raised in Kaimukī. Following 13 years at Punahou, then 4 years at UC Berkeley earning a degree in Integrated Biology. Tyler’s worldview grew to encompass perspectives similar to The Outdoor Circle’s values and mission. He finds great excitement in learning what dynamic and connected communities can do. Aiming specifically to contribute towards the future growth of TOC and collaborate more deeply on the finance and public affairs side. Outside of TOC, Tyler heads strategic growth and development for a non-profit health company, free-dive spearfishes, endurance trains, and enjoys taking his grandmother Norma (who was previously a long-standing member) to the KCC Farmer’s Market on the weekends. 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. Since becoming a TOC member in 1998, Joan held various positions on the North Shore Outdoor Circle board, and was the Event Coordinator for the Hale‘iwa Arts Festival for its first 15 years, until moving to the Big Island in 2014. 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. Brenda Lum, Director Brenda Lam, was born and raised in Manoa valley, and has been in the landscape industry, in both design and commercial construction for over 40 years. She attended Punahou School, and received BAs in Art History and Pre-Landscape Architecture from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and a Master of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning from Utah State University. She moved to Kona in 1979 and founded Pacific Kona Landscaping Inc., the first woman owned design/build landscape company in Hawai‘i. While in Kona she served on the boards of the Kona Outdoor Circle and Habitat for Humanity where she was the building chairperson. “It was rewarding keeping Kona clean, green and beautiful and at the same time building low income housing for deserving families.” She moved back to Honolulu in 2019 and lives in the house she grew up in. Brenda is a licensed landscape architect who loves native Hawaiian plants and volunteers growing and planting them. Steve Mechler, Director Steve Mechler (ASLA) has served in numerous capacities on The Outdoor Circle board, including being a past President. He is also very active with the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, and is the Chair of their Beautification Committee. Steve is the President of The Mechler Corporation, and a licensed landscape architect with a degree in environmental design. For the past four decades, he has designed landscapes for significant residential estates, commercial projects, and resorts in Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific rim. 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.” |
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.