Unyong Nakata
Founder & Principal
Nakata Advisory, LLC
Unyong Nakata is a Mentor Hawaii Cohort 11 mentor and has mentored for more than 5 years! Learn more about the program here.
About Unyong
Unyong Nakata is the Founder and Principal of Nakata Advisory, a strategic consultancy known for turning ideas into action and complexity into results. With more than 20 years of experience across nonprofit advancement, corporate leadership, and board service, she delivers scalable solutions rooted in values, powered by relationships, and aimed at growth.
Her expertise spans strategic planning and board retreats, business development strategy, leadership and fundraising training, organizational alignment, and impact storytelling. Recognized for building momentum and forging connections across people, sectors, and ideas, Unyong equips mission-driven organizations to move with clarity and confidence.
She has been honored by Hawaii Business Magazine as one of the “20 for the Next 20,” Pacific Business News for “Women Who Mean Business” and “Forty Under 40,” the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii as “Young Professional of the Year,” and AFP–Aloha Chapter as “Outstanding Professional Fundraiser of the Year.”
Committed to impact beyond her practice, Unyong has contributed more than two decades of community service and currently serves on the boards of the Domestic Violence Action Center, Navian Hawaii, and Housing Hawaii’s Future. She also hosted the Hawaii Business Magazine Podcast for its first two seasons, amplifying voices from across Hawaii’s business and nonprofit sectors.
Unyong holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and an MBA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Question and Answer with Unyong
What is your preferred communication style when mentoring (in-person, video conference, phone, informal check-ins, structured meetings, etc.).
In-Person, Video Conference, Email, Phone Call, Text / SMS
Why do you want to become a mentor in this program?
1. I promised my mentors that I’d pay it forward. 2. As much progress has been made, I’ve witnessed over the past (4) that the young women still have the same challenges. 3. I’ve been told that my style of mentoring/communication is eye opening and actionable. 4. It is my overarching commitment to create access and elevate others, especially young women.
What specific skills, knowledge or experience can you share with your mentee?
See bio.
What are your expectations for a mentor-mentee relationship?
It is imperative that the mentee take control of his/her own journey. I expect them to be open, respectful, and ready to dig in through honest and joyful talk story. There should be a purpose to each session that is driven by the mentee’s needs, ideas, and challenges.
How do you approach problem-solving and conflict resolution?
Asking Qs to get to the root cause and then having an open convo, w/o blame, as to possible solutions. It’s key to own up to your own culpability as well.
How do you envision success for your mentee, and how will you measure it during the program?
Shift in mindset, strengthening of toolkit, and the seeds of courage to try new things.