Shannon Lum, the director of human resources at Young Brothers, leads a team of more than 400 employees across Hawaiʻi—but her journey to the top started on the softball diamond and in the classroom at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
A former standout player for the Rainbow Wahine softball team from 2007 to 2012, and a proud graduate of the Shidler College of Business, Lum knows the challenges student-athletes face in balancing academics, athletics and planning for life after college.
“Being an athlete was all about balance—just like life itself,” Lum said. “Although games and wins are important, so is your education, because that really sets you up for success when your athletic career is done.”
Lum earned a bachelor of science degree in travel industry management in 2012 and a master’s of human resource management in 2017. The balance and the support Lum found at UH Mānoa were key to launching her career. Through UH’s strong professional connections and internship opportunities, she was able to gain real-world experience and build valuable connections.
“I was able to secure two internships during my undergraduate studies, which led to a full-time job after graduation,” she explained. “That opportunity came largely through the strong network UH Mānoa has.”
At UH, mentorship was another game-changer. Lum credits Professor Marie Kumabe of the Shidler College of Business for offering invaluable guidance that extended far beyond graduation.
“It’s so important to have a mentor when you are going to school, especially at UH, because down the line, you can always tap into that relationship for advice—even far into your career.”
Lum continues to support the university that helped shape her future. Today, in her leadership role at Young Brothers, she’s part of a company that is assisting the next generation of students.
“I believe UH played a vital role in carving my career path and opened many doors for me,” said Lum. “Now, I am proud to be part of a company that does the same for students, funding three grant programs at UH to support their success.”
