Alumni Stories
Dana Anderson
Dana is a retired professor of English Literature, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and holds a Masters from Boston University. She has served as Vice President of NAMI Hawai‘i [National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawai‘i chapter], and is an instructor in Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Hawai‘i. Dana is a volunteer and cook for YO! House and is active in outreach for St. Clement’s Parish.
Jane Anderson
After college graduation, Jane traveled across the United States giving programs for the National Cotton Council. She worked mainly with university students. Starting in 1983, she began helping dyslexic students and continues this work today. Jane gave tours at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, mostly to students, for fourteen years and has worked with YO! House since 2007. Jane and her husband also mentored the Young Adult Group at St. Clement’s Church, serving as many as thirty-five with monthly social activities.
Martha Balkin
Martha has recently retired after working as a social worker in the employee assistance field. She has a certification in substance abuse counseling. Martha has volunteered with a number of organizations working with the homeless population in Honolulu. She coordinates Central Union Church’s outreach to the YO! House, delivering meals on a weekly basis and also serves as the Central Union coordinator for Family Promise.
Michelle N. Comeau
Michelle has practiced law since 2006 and also serves as a per diem judge for the District Court of the First Circuit. She grew up on Oahu, and holds degrees from Dartmouth College and UCLA School of Law. In addition to working with RYSE, Michelle is active with the Girl Scouts of Hawaii and St. Clement’s Church in Makiki.
Miriah Holden
Miriah Holden is a Vice President and Residential Compliance Manager at First Hawaiian Bank. Miriah has been an advocate for Hawaii’s youth for a number of years. As part of her pro bono work, she acts as a guardian ad litem representing kids in foster custody. She is also involved with the American Bar Association.
Dana Matlin
Dana Matlin currently serves as the Director of Human Resources for Kāhala Nui, a not-for-profit senior living community providing a continuum of services for seniors. Prior to joining Kāhala Nui, she had 25 years of experience in the Human Resources management field in the healthcare and hospitality industries with companies such as Kaiser Permanente, McDonald’s Corporation, and Hyatt Hotels. Dana was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and was a graduate of The University of Michigan School of Business with a B.B.A. in Organizational Development and Industrial Relations.
RoAnne Matsuura
RoAnne is a certified public accountant specializing in tax. She has taken an active role with several local nonprofit organizations in our community. In addition to RYSE, RoAnne currently volunteers for her community high school and the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council.
Susan Palmore
Susan has experience as a teacher, administrator and manager of major divisions in two organizations doing international development and consultation on public health, health research, adolescent health programs, population issues, and environment and policy. She has served as facilitator and organizer for three annual international young leaders workshops, organizer and facilitator for four WHO and multiple other U.S. and international health meetings. She has been a researcher on an international health study, co-director and swimming instructor of a summer day camp and a Girl Scout troop leader. She currently is a docent for student and adult tours at HoMA and serves on three local boards.
Janice Taketa
Jan is a speech pathologist working in the Hawai‘i public schools and in private practice for 30 years. A member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise, she was the chair of Community service for about 10 years and spearheaded providing monthly food and supplies to the YO House, which continues on a monthly basis. Jan is involved in many community service volunteer activities and is also an avid gardener and singer.