The inaugural class of Omidyar Fellows has been named. This is a new initiative by philanthropist and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar to “inspire and equip emerging leaders with the skills needed to effect positive, lasting change,” according to a press release we just got.

Disclosure: Pierre Omidyar is our boss. He is CEO and Publisher of Civil Beat. 

Thirteen people will embark on a 15-month program that is designed to prepare them to help Hawaii deal with the challenges of the future.

The fellowships are part of the Hawaii Leadership Forum, more details here.

The selection committee was comprised of the five board members of the Hawaii Leadership Forum: Richard Gushman II, Michael Mohr, Pierre Omidyar, Jennifer Goto Sabas and Kelvin Taketa.

More than 150 candidates applied. Without further ado, here are the winners as described in the lengthy press release:

Robert Bruhl, Kailua

Robert Bruhl is the vice president for development at D.R. Horton – Schuler Division. He is responsible for all land acquisition, land management and stewardship, commercial operations, civil planning and permitting, and site construction for statewide operations. Bruhl previously worked at the Cypress Group, a private equity investment firm in New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Boston College and is currently on the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Pacific Historic Parks.

Jodi Endo Chai, Honolulu

Jodi Endo Chai is the senior advisor for the Hawai’i Government Employees Association. She serves as the chief of staff with primary responsibility for the union’s organizational and strategic planning efforts, and oversees its communications and human resource programs. Chai was born and raised in Wahiawa and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis on public relations from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She is a board member of the Aloha United Way.

Colton Ching, Kaneohe

Colton Ching is the vice president of system operation and planning at Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. He oversees operation of O’ahu’s electric grid and is responsible for corporate and strategic planning for all three Hawaiian Electric utilities. In 2011, Ching served as co-incident commander for preparations and operations for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Ching grew up on the island of Maui, graduated from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer. He also serves as a director on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i.

Donalyn Dela Cruz, Honolulu

Donalyn Dela Cruz is the deputy director of communications for the State of Hawai’i, Office of the Governor. She oversees communications and messaging for the administration, advises the governor, and manages all the duties and media responsibilities of a press secretary. Dela Cruz previously worked at Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the Democratic Party of Hawai’i, the office of U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, and KHON TV2. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and is also an advisory board member for Aha Punana Leo, a non-profit organization dedicated to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian language.

Forest Frizzell, Kailua

Forest Frizzell is the deputy director of information technology for the City and County of Honolulu. Frizzell oversees technology support for more than 20 city agencies and recently championed a handful of first-time initiatives – CityCamp Honolulu to discuss advancement of technology in government, a phone app development contest, an online site to obtain camping permits – that resulted in Honolulu’s designation as the number one digital city in the country in 2011. Frizzell has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and volunteers his time with the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i and Parents and Children Together (PACT).

Jason Fujimoto, Hilo

Jason Fujimoto is the senior vice president and chief financial officer for HPM Building Supply, a 100 percent employee-owned company founded by his family in Hilo in 1921. Fujimoto oversees all corporate functions as well as several distribution branches and manufacturing entities on Hawai’i Island and Kaua’i. Over the last several years he has helped expand the company’s operations statewide, including its most recent acquisition of Kauai Lumber, Inc. in 2011. Prior to returning home, Fujimoto worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and is currently on the board of PBS Hawai’i.

Noelani Kalipi, Hilo

Noelani Kalipi is the president of the Ti Leaf Group, Inc., an advocacy firm focused on community-based economic development, clean tech, renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and food, agricultural, and data security. Kalipi has local experience in serving native communities in Hawai’i, and national experience having previously worked for Senator Daniel Akaka in Washington, D.C. She also served with the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Kalipi has a bachelor’s degree in government politics and economics from George Mason University and a law degree from George Washington University National Law Center.

Kaiu Kimura, Hilo

Kaiu Kimura is the executive director at the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i. She manages and oversees all aspects of the astronomy center operations and facilities, including the planetarium, exhibit hall, gift shop, restaurant operations and educational outreach. Kimura has held previous positions at the Imiloa Astronomy Center, working first as the curriculum coordinator, then experience coordinator and associate director. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies and a master’s degree in Hawaiian language and literature from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Kimura is on the boards of Hawai’i Island Workforce and Economic Development Ohana, ‘Aha Punana Leo and the Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce.

Karen C. Lee, Honolulu

Karen C. Lee is an associate vice president at the University of Hawai’i and the executive director of Hawai’i P-20 Partnerships for Education. Together with the University of Hawai’i president, Department of Education superintendent, and Early Learning Council chair, Lee provides leadership and direction to the Hawai’i P-20 Council. Hawai’i P-20’s programs include the Hawai’i P-3 initiative which promotes partnerships in the early learning community, the Statewide Longitudinal Data System which will track student progress across agencies, and GEAR UP Hawai’i and the Step Up Initiative, designed to increase student readiness for post-high school success. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Columbia University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California.

Marissa Sandblom, Lihue

Marissa Sandblom is the vice president of Grove Farm Company, Inc. headquartered on Kaua’i. As one of the island’s largest private landowners, Grove Farm has transitioned itself from a sugar plantation to a sustainable community and economic development firm. Sandblom previously worked as the finance and business development officer at the Kaua’i Economic Development Board. She earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Hawai’i Pacific University. Sandblom is the director and chair of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and serves on the board of the Kaua’i Visitor’s Bureau, PBS Hawai’i and Kaua’i Planning and Action Alliance.

Jerrod Schreck, Kailua

Jerrod Schreck is the president of Hoku Solar and chief strategy officer of Hoku Corporation where he is charged with pursuing and developing strategic business opportunities. Under his leadership, Hoku Solar completed the first ever 1+megawatt photovoltaic farm on O’ahu and was selected as the design-build contractor for the largest solar energy facility in the state. Schreck also has previous experience at the Nature Conservancy and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree in international affairs from the Institute for the Study of International Politics in Milan, Italy.

Kaiulani Sodaro, Kane’ohe

Kaiulani Sodaro is the director of enterprise planning and sustainability and interim director of the facilities development and support division at Kamehameha Schools. She oversees and manages the major repair and capital improvement portfolio for the educational and support space enterprise-wide. Prior to Kamehameha Schools, Sodaro worked at Maui Land and Pineapple, Inc. and Hilton Hotels Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University and a master’s degree in planning from the University of Southern California. Sodaro is a member of the American Planning Association Hawai’i chapter, a member of the Renewable Energy Committee at Enterprise Honolulu and is the vice-chair of the City and County of Honolulu Planning Commission.

Joshua Wisch, Kailua

Joshua Wisch is the special assistant to the attorney general in the State of Hawai’i, Department of the Attorney General. He serves as the chief legislative liaison and public information officer and is assigned to special projects including training, strategic planning and working on sensitive investigations. Prior to the attorney general’s office, Wisch was the district director for Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, an attorney at Chun, Kerr, Dodd, Beaman and Wong and previously Cades Schutte. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University, and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.