Kimi Ide Foster, Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business Honoree

Kimi Ide Foster, Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business Honoree

Kimi Murphy Ide-Foster

Associate, Chun Kerr LLP

In a recent real estate acquisition involving more than $30 million, Kimi served as mediator among the various parties – an important force in keeping the deal from falling apart.

What has most surprised you about your leadership role?

That people listen. I’m relatively young for the legal field, and especially young to sit as president for Hawaii Women Lawyers. The first years as an attorney are generally difficult, but being a new attorney and a young woman carries an additional set of challenges. We’re often condescended to and sometimes outright bullied. It takes a village of friends, family, a progressive workplace, and just plain grit to get past that. So, to find myself as board president with so many distinguished, experienced directors, and to find that they’re willing to work to help realize my visions for the organization is sometimes still a pleasantly surprising feeling.

What was the defining moment that put you on your career trajectory?

I can’t pinpoint one moment that pushed me into being an attorney, but I know the moment I transitioned from “getting by” to being intentionally driven. During my senior year at ‘Iolani School, I got my first paper back in my AP European History class. I got a D. I didn’t get Ds, ever! So, with all the confidence of a 17-year-old, I approached my teacher to ask him if there was a mistake. No mistake, it was a D paper. I pushed, and he told me he suspected I was smart, but that I was lazy. I rewrote the paper and ended up doing extremely well in that class. But more than the paper, I never forgot the feeling of someone seeing my potential. I also realized that until then, I was content “doing enough.” That changed that day, and for the rest of my life. I’m eternally grateful to that teacher for pushing me.

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Don’t ever make a decision at your lowest point. And, don’t reject an opportunity because it’s not on your timeline. Opportunities come when they come. Run with the ones that will grow you.