PolyStrong Leadership Foundation

PolyStrong Leadership Foundation This Non-Profit Organization was created to empower, educate, & unify our Pacific Islander community.

03/13/2026

POLYSTRONG 2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKER!

We are fortunate and excited to have Tamara Vaifanua. She brings with her wealth of knowledge and experience that she can share with the youth and future leaders of the Polynesian community. We look forward to having her with us and look forward to her, helping the future leaders navigate their careers.

2026 Entrepreneurship Workshop HostAlex Kuresa is the founder of Woodn Grail, a collegiate streetwear brand known for it...
03/13/2026

2026 Entrepreneurship Workshop Host

Alex Kuresa is the founder of Woodn Grail, a collegiate streetwear brand known for its unique and highly detailed headwear designs. A former college football player at BYU and Portland State, Alex started the brand alongside his wife, Madison, turning a creative hobby into a fast growing business.

Together they have built Woodn Grail into a multi million dollar brand working with universities, athletes, and fans across the country. Through creative design, storytelling, and social media marketing, Alex has grown the company into one of the fastest growing brands in its space.

Alex is passionate about entrepreneurship, creativity, and helping young people see that their background, culture, and personal story can become powerful tools in building something meaningful.

Find more info at: Polystrong.org

2026 Workshop Host -Sete Aula'i currently serves as a Captain in the investigations division at the Utah Attorney Genera...
03/12/2026

2026 Workshop Host -

Sete Aula'i currently serves as a Captain in the investigations division at the Utah Attorney General’s Office. He oversees the AG evidence department, agency policy, and serve as the Commander of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Sete began his career in 2010 with the West Valley City Police Department. During his tenure at West Valley PD, Sete served in various capacities including patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), Special Victims Unit (SVU) detective, School Resource Officer (SRO), and SWAT Operator.

In May of 2016, Sete joined the Utah Attorney General’s Office as a Special Agent in the ICAC unit. He was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) for the Utah ICAC Task Force in 2021 and ascended to the rank of Captain (and Commander of the Utah ICAC Task Force) in April 2023.

Under Sete’s leadership, the Utah ICAC Task Force has expanded to include 96 affiliate law enforcement agencies (federal, state, and local) across Utah, with over 200 investigators. Utah's ICAC task force is recognized as one of the most proactive in the country, executing several residential search warrants weekly and apprehending numerous offenders involved in the demand for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), while rescuing and identifying over 100 children annually.

Sete holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology (2008) and a Master of Public Administration (2015) from Brigham Young University. Sete has been honored twice as ICAC Investigator of the Year (2017 & 2018) and as Special Agent of the Year for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in 2020. Additionally, Sete is a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy award in 2025. Sete resides in Saratoga Springs, Utah, with his wife and three children.

Sete will be joined by Vaifoa Lealaitafea Jr & Mark

Meet the voices leading the 2026 Polystrong Leadership Summit.Our Keynote Speaker and Workshop Hosts are ready to challe...
03/11/2026

Meet the voices leading the 2026 Polystrong Leadership Summit.

Our Keynote Speaker and Workshop Hosts are ready to challenge, inspire, and equip the next generation for what's next.
This is the room you want to be in. 🔥

🔗 Register now — link in bio.

2026 Keynote SpeakerTamara Vaifanua is morning anchor for KSL News in Salt Lake City, Utah, bringing more than 25 years ...
03/05/2026

2026 Keynote Speaker

Tamara Vaifanua is morning anchor for KSL News in Salt Lake City, Utah, bringing more than 25 years of experience telling stories that matter. Born in Southern California and raised in Taylorsville by proud Samoan parents, she made history as the first TV news anchor of Samoan heritage in Utah.

A graduate of Southern Utah University, Tamara built her career from small‑town newsrooms to major national and international assignments. She is a two‑time Emmy Award winner, most recently recognized for her documentary on the Maui wildfires.
Throughout her career, Tamara has been committed to uplifting underrepresented voices — including Pacific Islander communities, Indigenous women, and students striving to overcome systemic challenges. Her work reflects a deep belief in the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in shaping what young people believe is possible.

Join us for her Keynote on March 16 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

Registration is FREE for all students.

High School Students can see their school counselor to register.

All others can register through this link: https://forms.gle/PVBd8Pej6Q9rfHp78 or visit our website: Polystrong.org

📊 Did you know? The high school graduation rate for Pacific Islander students in the U.S. is 75-80%, falling below the n...
02/20/2026

📊 Did you know? The high school graduation rate for Pacific Islander students in the U.S. is 75-80%, falling below the national average of 86%. 🎓💡

This gap highlights the urgent need for more support, mentorship, and resources to help our youth succeed in education and beyond. When we invest in education, we invest in the future of our people! 🌺✨

That’s why the PolyStrong Leadership Foundation is dedicated to empowering Pacific Islander students through scholarships, leadership programs, and career development. Join us at the 2026 PolyStrong Summit on March 16 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center as we work together to close this gap! 💪🏽🚀

2026 Workshop HostsDr. Namealoha Hekekia was born and raised in Cedar City, Utah. After high school she went back to her...
02/20/2026

2026 Workshop Hosts

Dr. Namealoha Hekekia was born and raised in Cedar City, Utah. After high school she went back to her roots and attended Brigham Young University-Hawaii where she double majored in Exercise and Sports Science and Hawaiian Studies. While there, she had the opportunity to sail with Iosepa and Makali’i. She attended University of Utah School of Medicine and pursued family medicine and trained at the Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency Program. After residency, she returned to Hawaii and practiced at several rural community health centers and clinics and enjoyed serving the underrepresented and underserved. Since moving back to Utah, Dr. Hekekia has continued to work with underserved and underrepresented populations and enjoys teaching and inspiring future physicians. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, paddleboarding, playing piano and ukulele, hula, and getting to the beach as much as living in Utah will allow.

Join us for her workshop on Health Sciences March 16 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

Registration is FREE for all students.

High School Students can see their school counselor.

All others can register through this link: https://forms.gle/PVBd8Pej6Q9rfHp78 or visit our website: Polystrong.org

We invite youth to join us for the 2026 PolyStrong Leadership Summit — a welcoming space to learn, connect, and grow to...
01/30/2026

We invite youth to join us for the 2026 PolyStrong Leadership Summit — a welcoming space to learn, connect, and grow together.

This event is designed to inspire confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging for young people from all backgrounds.

March 16, 2026
Utah Cultural Celebration Center

Registration is now open.
https://rb.gy/xb9gsc

Today, we would like to join the rest of the Pacific Island communities and mourn the loss of a legend whose voice becam...
07/24/2025

Today, we would like to join the rest of the Pacific Island communities and mourn the loss of a legend whose voice became the heartbeat of the Pacific. George “Fiji” Veikoso was more than just a musician — he was a cultural icon, a soulful storyteller, and a bridge between island nations and the world.

From the islands of Fiji to stages across the globe, his music lifted spirits, told our stories, and brought people together. Whether it was through his reggae rhythms, heartfelt ballads, or messages of unity and aloha, Fiji’s impact was profound and lasting.

Thank you for the soundtrack of our lives — for the anthems of love, hope, and island pride. Your legacy will echo in our homes, our hearts, and our islands forever.

Rest in Peace Fiji.

❤️ Ni goletoka ena vakacequ ❤️

🚨 Attention Polynesian Students!Ready to lead, grow, and represent your community? The PolyStrong Ambassador Scholarship...
06/03/2025

🚨 Attention Polynesian Students!
Ready to lead, grow, and represent your community? The PolyStrong Ambassador Scholarship is your opportunity to shine.

💰 Two $2500 scholarships awarded
📚 Includes mentorship, leadership training, networking, and more!
🎓 Must be enrolled full-time and maintain a 3.2 GPA+

👉 Apply by June 30 at: polystrong.org/ambassador-scholarship

Let’s rise together. Step up. Stand out. Be PolyStrong.

05/16/2025

The Movement to Aspire Continues.

The 2025 PolyStrong Leadership Summit showed what’s possible when Pacific Islander youth are empowered with opportunity, identity, and real-world leadership. Over two powerful days, hundreds of students explored careers in law, business, tech, real estate, education, entertainment, and more—guided by mentors who know their journey.

Special thanks to inspiring leaders like Fa'Avae Fa'Avae, Sete Aulai, Laura Lui, Ian Folau, Doug Feifia, Stanley Snow, Latu Kinikini, Sam Mangakahia, Namealoha Hekekia, and many more who shared their stories and sparked new visions.

🌺 If you're a student, this is your invitation to lead.
💼 If you're a professional, this is your call to give back.

Together, we’re building legacy—one connection, one opportunity, one future at a time.

📣 Planning for the 2026 Summit is already underway. Join us.

Address

Orem, UT
84043

Telephone

+13852045983

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when PolyStrong Leadership Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to PolyStrong Leadership Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category