WE by Rising Tide has selected its first cohort of 20 local women entrepreneurs for its financial management and networking accelerator program.

The program curriculum and participant benefits are funded by grants from the CPB Foundation and aio Foundation. The program was developed in partnership with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership. The 10-week program will begin Wednesday and cover topics like financial management, marketing and leadership. Benefits will include fully funded advertising opportunities and networking with women executives.

“We are excited to welcome these 20 remarkable women to our inaugural cohort as we kick off the WE by Rising Tide program,” said Catherine Ngo, chairwoman of the CPB Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Central Pacific Bank. “Women entrepreneurs are key to building a strong and resilient economy and we are proud to support them in this way.”

Colleen McAluney, director of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, said the finalists represent seven different business sectors.

“We hope to build a diverse, supportive community of women entrepreneurs through the WE by Rising Tide program beginning with this cohort, the first of many more to come,” McAluney said.

Ngo, who also is president of bank holding company Central Pacific Financial Corp., said the program will be “a terrific benefit” to the participants whose businesses are 51% woman owned.

Members of the inaugural cohort are:

>> Lauren Araki (Kuhio Grille). Restaurant.

>> Carmenne Chiasson (Carmenne Chiasson, Ph.D.). Clinical psychologist and neurofeedback specialist.

>> June Fernandez (Alliance Personnel Inc.). Personnel staffing.

>> Dr. Jamie Furutani (Mililani Mauka Veterinary Clinic). Veterinarian.

>> Eri Hashimoto (The UPS Store Kailua and Kaneohe). Printing services, secure mailbox, packaging and shredding.

>> Jalene Hitzeman (NOHO HOME). Home decor.

>> Emily Jaime (YIREH). Fashion.

>> Alice Kim (Hanalei Company). Skin care products.

>> Kaz Masutani (KMS Construction LLC). General contractor, residential construction.

>> Angelina Moore (Hawaiian Drift Inc.). Women’s island clothing.

>> Irene Nakamura (iDepo Hawaii LLC/iDepo Reporters). Court reporting and record retrieval.

>> Shilpa Rathi (Island HOLI). Handmade, all-natural fashion, home decor and accessories.

>> Melissa Rota (Sweat and Soul). Barre fitness.

>> Dr. Vivien Tham (Pacific Vision Institute of Hawaii). Eye care.

>> Miki Tomita (Education Incubator). Closing the gap between teaching and learning.

>> Wendy Trinh (Paws for a Moment LLC). Day care and boarding for dogs, cats and other small animals.

>> Pei Wu (Mochi Foods). Award-winning mochi mix.

>> Shari Yamaguchi (Blessed in Hawaii). Positive, faith-based messages through clothing.

>> Chuen Yee (MCYIA LLC). Award-winning interior architecture and interior design firm.

>> Shawna Yee (Apex Physical Therapy Specialists). Physical therapy services.

“It is our hope that this program provides not only a valuable learning experience, but also a way for participants to build lasting and meaningful relationships,” said Brandon Kurisu, representative of the aio Foundation.

For information on WE by Rising Tide, go to RisingTideHawaii.com.