HONOLULU — Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum was named the new president of the East-West Center this afternoon during an announcement by the institution’s Board of Governors meeting.

Vares-Lum is the first woman and first Native Hawaiian to hold the position. Born and raised in Wahiawa, she has served as a major general in the U.S. Army. Her tenure will begin on Jan. 1, 2022.

Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum (Courtesy East-West Center)

“I am humbled and honored by this opportunity to continue to advance the vision of the East-West Center,” Vares-Lum said in a press release. “The Indo-Pacific region presents many future opportunities and solutions to global issues, and the Center is renowned as an inclusive space for bringing people of diverse histories and cultures together to build regional understanding through the sharing of ideas, perspectives and solutions for all of our communities. I truly believe that EWC, and Hawaii, play a unique role in bridging East and west to address the critical issues that will impact our future generations.”

The EWC Board of Governors chair acknowledged the team who helped select a replacement for outgoing president Richard Vuylsteke, who announced in April that he would step down at the end of this year. He also noted that Vares-Lum’s extensive experience in various sectors of the community helped the board reach its unanimous decision.

“Suzy brings extensive leadership experience spanning decades as (a) retired Maj. Gen. with 34 years of service,” he said. “Suzy has played key roles in addressing national security challenges in the region. She has spent the past five years cultivating and maintaining key regional relationships at the Indo-Pacific Command. Within the local Hawaii community, Suzy has been a tireless advocate, leader and mentor, and she has served on a variety of local nonprofit boards and committees that promote Hawaii economic diversification, our workforce development and dialogue on issues of land and water rights.

“We are very confident that her breadth of successful leadership experience in the Indo-Pacific, as well as her strong interpersonal qualities, are a great match for the East-West Center. The Center’s Board of Governors is absolutely thrilled to work closely with Suzy as we build upon the terrific work of Richard Vuylsteke and his staff to position the East-West Center for its next era of prominence and success.”  

The U.S. Congress established the East-West Center in 1960 to promote better relations and understanding among the United States, Asia and the Pacific.