Advisory Board

Sylvia Elias, MSW

Sylvia Elias, MSW is a Micronesian social worker and UNICEF North Pacific Child Protection Specialist overseeing FSM, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. She previously served as a Foreign Service Officer at the FSM Consulate in Guam and held leadership roles in youth advocacy, Indigenous leadership, and humanitarian service. A proud alumna of the University of Guam BSW program and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa MSW distance program, Sylvia is committed to advancing community wellbeing across Micronesia.

Jocelyn Howard, MSW 

Josie is a cofounder and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for WAO. A native of Onoun Island in Chuuk, FSM, Josie graduated from Xavier High School and the Community College of Micronesia before transferring to University of Hawai‘i at Hilo where she studied Biology, Anthropology, and Pacific Island Studies and was actively involved in the Micronesian community as student peer counselor, president of the International Students Association, a student researcher at the Minority Biomedical Research Program, Resident Assistant in Housing, President of the Chuukese Students Association, as well as chairperson for the Campus Ministry. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work from University of Hawaii at Manoa. Throughout her years in Hawaii, Josie has over 15 years of servicing the community, with 8 years working with private agencies contracted by the Department of Health Waiver program, 5 years in the Department of Education, and 5 years in program development, implementation, and piloting a one-stop center model.

Kathy Martin, MSW

Emma Reimers-Kurashige, MSW

After graduating from Assumption High School in Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Emma moved to Honolulu. She attended Hawai‘i Pacific University, where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work.

Emma is of mixed Marshallese and American heritage. Her father hails from the Likiep, Ebon, and Jaluit atolls, while her mother is from Iowa. Born and raised in Majuro, Emma belongs to the Rimae clan and is fluent in both Marshallese and English. She has fond memories of her childhood, particularly spending time with her grandparents, listening to stories about their youth, learning about WWII, and gaining knowledge of her family’s lineage. Emma’s family has operated a business in the Marshall Islands for three generations, serving the community for over 70 years.

With over 15 years of experience working with children and families, Emma is a cultural educator, providing training across the state to help service providers better understand the Marshallese people, culture, and history.

During her college years, Emma worked with elderly and houseless populations. Her professional career began at Big Brothers Big Sisters as a statewide Enrollment and Match Specialist. She later served as a substance abuse counselor for high school students in the Honolulu area through the YMCA.

In 2009, Emma joined EPIC ‘Ohana Inc. as an ‘Ohana Conference Coordinator. The ‘Ohana Conferences support families involved with Child Welfare Services. Over time, she has taken on various roles within the organization. In 2019, she became the Statewide ‘Ohana Conference Manager. EPIC ‘Ohana, a neutral non-profit, brings together families, child welfare services, and other service providers in facilitated meetings to elevate family voices and promote choice. EPIC organizes over 1,000 conferences each year for families across the state. Emma continues to facilitate and interpret conferences for Marshallese families. She is also a proud co-founder of We Are Oceania, where she helps to fulfill a long-held dream of establishing a one-stop center in Hawai‘i to empower youth and families.