Meet Your Dream Team
Benjamin Ancheta, Jr.
President
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Since taking the helm in 2018, Benjamin Ancheta has brought new energy to Inkinen. His experience in building and managing high-performance teams in a wide variety of industries has been instrumental in expanding the company’s executive search capabilities.
A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Ben attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he earned a BA in economics. He worked for Deloitte as a management consultant in the US, Europe, and Asia before earning his MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA. After working for a variety of startup and high-growth companies, Ben returned to Hawaii in 2007. Since then, he has held C-level roles at ProService Hawaii, ‘ike, and ‘Ekahi Health System, and was president and founder of Huliau Capital.
Ben has been recognized for both his leadership and his commitment to the community. He was named a Pacific Century Fellow in 2010, an Omidyar Fellow in 2012, and one of Hawaii Business Magazine’s 20 for the Next 20 in 2013. Ben invests a great deal of time volunteering for community organizations and currently serves on the boards of HEMIC, KCAA Preschools, Movers & Shakas, YMCA Honolulu, and Kahala Nui.
(808) 380-4175 | bancheta@inkinen.com
Ann N. Katekaru
Senior Consultant
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Clients benefit from Ann Katekaru’s vast experience in executive recruitment and human resources. Ann joined Inkinen in 1998 and has more than 30 years of human resources management experience in the financial, real estate, and healthcare industries. Prior to joining the firm, she was the senior vice president of human resources for Bank of America in Hawaii. Ann received her BA in business administration from the University of Hawaii and earned the designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She is a certified representative in the use and administration of the Professional Dynametrics ProgramTM, which is a personal styles survey supporting employee development applications.
Ann is also an active member of the community; she spent many years on the board of directors for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Hawaii Chapter and rejoins the board in 2022. Ann continues her involvement with its Workforce Development Committee as its co-chair. She is also a member of the University of Hawaii Alumni Association. Ann was formerly a director of the University Clinical Education and Research Associates, a trustee of the Oceanic Institute, and an examiner for the Hawaii State Award of Excellence.
By day, a plant lover, Ann spends as much time as she can nurturing her plants; by night, she turns into a wine lover, pairing delicious reds with great food.
(808) 380-4174 | akatekaru@inkinen.com
Melody Fukushima
Executive Search Consultant
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Having a passion for people and helping them find their calling is what Melody Fukushima calls, “Aces in their Places.” With nearly 20 years of human resources management experience, Melody brings an enthusiasm for executive search and placement to the team. She has extensive HR generalist experience at firms of all sizes, both locally and nationally. Her core expertise includes employee relations, on-boarding/recruiting, benefits management, payroll/HRIS, project management and coaching & development. Additionally, Melody is a trained analyst in the use of the Predictive Index (PI) System, which is a science-based assessment tool that provides managers with accurate, actionable data quantifying the drive of employees.
Prior to joining Inkinen, Melody held the position of executive team leader of team relations for Target Corporation in Boulder, Colorado. She was also the director of human resources for TeamPraxis, LLC and most recently, the director of human resources at Roberts Hawaii Inc. Melody earned a BA in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado with an emphasis in sales & marketing and speech communication. She is also a member of the Society of Human Resources. In her free time, Melody enjoys volunteering with her children’s school and sports teams, is active with the PFA and enjoys traveling.
(808) 380-2480 | mfukushima@inkinen.com
Hilda Min
Executive Search Consultant
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Hilda Min brings more than 15 years of direct executive recruitment experience for a variety of positions in a wide range of industries. She returned home to Hawaii a few years ago after working for several executive search companies in Singapore, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. By working in different locales, Hilda has gained expertise in understanding varied company cultures and environments, which has further enhanced her search capabilities. Earlier in her career, Hilda worked for Westin Ilikai Hotel, Hotel Hana-Maui, as well as the National Restaurant Association (Chicago).
Hilda received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii, with an emphasis in travel industry management and human resources. Since her return to the Islands, her community activities have focused on professional organizations, alumni associations and church.
(808) 380-4176 | hmin@inkinen.com
I-man Uyeda
Executive Search Consultant
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I-man Uyeda is an experienced talent acquisition consultant with more than a decade of corporate recruitment and agency experience. She has worked for notable global brands, including Hilton, KPMG, and Goodwill Industries. I-man is accustomed to being a part of high-performing teams and delivering stellar results for her clients. She has worked with small, mid-size, and enterprise companies — including nonprofit organizations — and brings a passion for client service as well as a unique ability to identify A-player talent. I-man hails from the Pacific Northwest and is an alumna of the University of Washington; she graduated with a BA in Communications and a minor in American Ethnic Studies.
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, she is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and has lived in Thailand while working for an international NGO doing humanitarian and development work. I-man spends her free time on foodie date nights with her husband, playing the piano and board games with their two daughters, and snuggling with their fur babies. During football season, she is busy cheering on the Seattle Seahawks.
(808) 380-4177 | iuyeda@inkinen.com
Martha Om
Executive Search Consultant
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Martha Om has over 15 years of experience in both research and recruiting for a broad range of industries. She was born and raised in Honolulu and attended the University of Hawaii to obtain her bachelor’s in business administration. While away from Hawaii, she has worked from coast to coast for high-profile organizations such as Warner Bros. Entertainment Group and Walt Disney Company. Martha returned home to be closer to her family and enjoy the island life. While in Hawaii, she continued to work leading recruiting teams for global organizations like Hawaiian Airlines and Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa.
In her free time, Martha enjoys travelling, eating, doing yoga, going to the beach, and attending church with her husband and daughter. She is also an aspiring gardener and wellness advocate.
(808) 460-7850 | mom@inkinen.com
Taylor Barnett
Executive Search Consultant
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Taylor Barnett is an Executive Search Consultant with 9 years of expertise in sourcing and prospect research. Initially specializing in sourcing for Inkinen’s executive searches, she has grown into a skilled executive recruiter, adept at aligning top talent with the strategic goals of organizations across an array of industries. Her creative search methods and deep local market insight have enabled her to transition effectively, where she builds strong connections between candidates and opportunities.
Taylor partners closely with clients to understand their unique needs and deliver tailored search solutions that support their long-term goals with the leadership talent they need to thrive. By aligning candidates’ career aspirations with clients’ strategic objectives, she is passionate about ensuring successful placements that drive mutual growth.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Taylor loves being a mom, seeing live music, and traveling.
Cheryl Cross
Executive Search Consultant
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Connecting people is Cheryl Cross’s passion. With 20 years as a key talent acquisition partner, she has successfully placed management, director, and C-suite roles across various industries, including energy, finance, healthcare, and the military, for organizations ranging from Fortune 50 companies to start-ups and nonprofits.
Cheryl began her career after graduating from the National School of Broadcasting in Las Vegas, working as a radio broadcaster and music director. She then moved to Los Angeles, doing radio promotion at Geffen Records and later led media relations for Mesa/BlueMoon Recordings. With the advent of new technology, Cheryl transitioned into competitive intelligence research and served as a business analyst in financial services. In 2002, she joined CRI (now Manpower) as a researcher, leveraging her competitive intelligence expertise. She quickly advanced to the executive team, placing C-suite executives for Fortune 10 clients such as General Electric and KB Home. In 2005, she founded her own communications and recruitment outsourcing company, serving a diverse range of businesses in California.
Cheryl is actively involved in the community, serving on the executive board of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and as co-chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. She is also a past president of the Organization of Women Leaders Oahu and lectures at the Shidler School of Business at the University of Hawaii. In 2023, Cheryl authored “CIVILIAN MISSION: The 3-Year Guide for Military Professionals Planning Civilian Careers” and hosts the “Military to Civilian Career Transition Power Hour” podcast. In her free time, she enjoys writing, spending time with her family, and island-hopping to discover the best Hawaiian beaches for fishing and snorkeling.
(808) 380-5445 | ccross@inkinen.com