Matthew B. James is one of the most highly-sought after trainers and educators in the world today. He is the president of The Empowerment Partnership, the leader in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnosis education.

Matt is a living example of the power of The Empower Your Life teachings. Matt began his studies at an early age, by learning teachings such as meditation and siddha yoga. As a young boy he studied with great teachers such as Baba Muktananda and Uncle George Naope (one of the most highly respected authorities on Hawaiian hula and chants, and has even been honored with the "Living Golden Treasure" designation). In the 80s, he studied with Tony Robbins and was invited by Richard Bandler, the legendary co-founder of NLP, and Wyatt Woodsmall, also a pioneer in the NLP field, to continue his education. Matt was chosen as one of Bandler’s select-few students, eventually becoming certified as an NLP Master Trainer (a level that takes most people years to achieve, if at all).

Having been there in the early years when NLP was just getting off the ground, Matt was well prepared for his future. Now, decades later, he has more than proven himself in his own right as a teacher and educator. He is renowned for his insight and his intuitive gifts for awakening the hearts and minds of his students. His unique upbringing has enabled him to take the best of the best in NLP, Huna, Hypnosis, and Time Empowerment Techniques and develop a proven system of effective, instantaneous, long lasting change.

Through his role as President of the American Pacific University and President and Master Trainer of its training and seminar division, The Empowerment Partnership (formerly Advanced Neuro Dynamics), Matt is personally responsible for bringing thousands of students closer to fulfilling their dreams. Each year he teaches the life-altering techniques of Hypnosis, NLP, Time Empowerment, and the ancient Shamanistic Hawaiian spiritual system of Huna throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Matt is certainly making his life a living demonstration of the extraordinary power of this wisdom. Along the way, he has picked up several university degrees, including an MA in Organizational Management and a DCH in Clinical Hypnotherapy. He’s also currently at work on completing his PhD in Health Psychology.

Matt continues to be a student of the ancient Hawaiian ways, studying with Uncle George Naope and his top student Etua Lopes. They have made Matt responsible for the Hawaiian lineage they teach and give Matt their support in sharing these teachings students all over the world.

Nancy knew at the young age of 15 exactly what she wanted to do with her life. She knew her future was in helping people to live their dreams. Even at that young age she was able to recognize that many talked about what they wanted but few knew how to achieve that. She also knew that in order for her to reach her goal of becoming a therapist, she herself was going to have to overcome major obstacles. Ever confident in her dreams, she embarked on the journey that led her to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at the age of 25.

Her belief that life is not a destination but a journey led her to move to Hawaii. She knew that she had found "home" within the first few minutes of stepping off the plane. She lived in Hawaii for several years and then found herself moving to California where she was "re-introduced" to Huna by a dear friend. This time she was ready to take the next step towards fulfilling her future. She attended her first Huna workshop and right then, made a commitment to learn all she could about this method of healing. Again, she experienced a "welcoming home". Since then, she has attended over 28 Huna workshops.

In 1993, when she discovered NLP, she also recognized within herself a desire to teach others about NLP and became a certified Trainer. Since then, she has introduced many individuals and organizations to the world of NLP. She is committed to empowering people along the path by assisting them to maximize their potential. Earlier this year she made a commitment to making a "global impact" and since then has accepted the position of Vice President for American Pacific University.

She has recently returned "home" to Hawaii and has recognized that all the years away have been fruitful in helping her to acquire just the right skill set to assist her in supporting the vision of the President, Matt James, in leading this university towards the future.

Soomi began managing at the age of 18 and quickly found that it was her natural talent. After 6 years of managing high-end boutiques, she came to work for Advanced Neuro Dynamics and American Pacific University. Soomi rapidly rose to the position of VP and since 1999 has been in charge of the overall operations of Advanced Neuro Dynamics, which is now The Empowerment Partnership.

After coming to work for APU, Soomi attended the NLP trainings and the Huna trainings and is currently a Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Empowerment™ Techniques and Hypnosis. She is also dedicated to Huna and attends the Huna trainings twice a year.

When she is not traveling or assisting, you can find Soomi at home in Honolulu, HI enjoying time with her family.

Peter Aquino has a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Management and a Bachelor of Secondary Education, concentration, in History, both from New Era University, Quezon City, the Philippines.

Peter also has an extensive array of work experience. He has taught several arts and sciences subjects at the university level, and he has also been a secondary school teacher in the Philippines.

Peter has also worked as an HR practitioner for the past nine years. Part of his job duties required frequent travel throughout the Middle East as well as other parts of Asia. His educational background and work experience have prepared him for his new role as Registrar Admissions Supervisor at American Pacific University.

For admissions and registration Peter assumes a supervisory role and ensures that the following processes take place while serving our current, as well as potential learners. Peter makes sure that that all telephone, website, and seminar/conference inquiries are answered, insures that enrollments take place properly, and reviews transcripts, prepares ID cards, and details program requirements for each learner. For the Registrar’s Office Peter makes sure that learner records and data (including name changes or contact information) are up to date, processes graduation requests, and diplomas, and tracks practicum credits and inquiries. If you have questions and would like to contact Peter directly, please click here.

Outside of work, Peter is active in sports. While in Saudi Arabia he usually competed in bowling tournaments hosted by Filipino Bowling Clubs across the Middle East. Aside from sports, he also likes to travel a lot and dine out. At home, if he is not watching TV, he enjoys reading.

Robyn Washousky spent over 20 years in Buffalo, NY, before moving to Hawaii to explore new opportunities, meet new people, and enjoy paradise. She comes to us with a strong background, both in Marketing and Health Care Administration. She has both an MBA in Business Administration and a BA in Health and Human Services and Management from the University at Buffalo. She has worked and taught in both higher-learning academic institutions and health care facilities. She also brings her experience in working for non-profits.

On a quest for personal development, growth, and discovery after a sudden life-changing family crisis, working at American Pacific University is quite fitting for this special time in her career. As Marketing Manager, she coordinates all marketing efforts for both degree programs, as well as trainings/seminars. She works with numerous publications to advertise our programs and trainings, assists in developing marketing materials, and maintains up to date course and training content, as well as website information.

Robyn enjoys volunteering, dancing, exercising, and spending time with her fiancé Eric and pug puppy Riley.

Treat each day as a new day and truly enjoy life, for you never know what can happen. "Life is a journey, not a guided tour."

As a seasoned professional, Brendan has over several years of managerial experience. He began his career as an Operations Assistant Manager overseeing operations and customer service for an international retail chain. Brendan later began working with a Hawaii community foundation that is a large grant-making institution and scholarship provider, where he managed office operations, systems, and network administration.

His current position allows him to utilize his managerial abilities, knowledge and skills to effectively oversee Customer Relations, Sales, as well as the Product and Shipping Department. In his role he supports the trainers ensuring the timely arrival of support materials and products necessary to operate our trainings and seminars. He is also responsible for product development and the inventory of products and supplies.

Brendan is a Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Empowerment® Techniques, and Hypnosis. He is also a student of our Huna Trainings where he is able to expand his knowledge of teachings native to his culture and the connection to higher self.

Virginia’s extensive experience in customer service allows her to develop a rapport with her clientele, enabling her to provide specialized services specific to the individuals needs and desires.

Her previous position as an Operations Coordinator with an international franchising firm required her to develop skills at negotiating, problem solving, and multi-tasking. This allowed her to better handle relations between customers and contractors.

Virginia’s current role as a Customer Relations Representative allows her to use her experience and forte in knowing her customers, to best help students and prospective students with their training and seminar needs.

Since joining The Empowerment Partnership™, Virginia has attended their NLP trainings, and is now a Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Empowerment® Techniques, and Hypnosis. The skills that she’s obtained have helped her to better assist students with their needs.

After getting her degree in Psychology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Gina was introduced to NLP in 2002. Working in many customer service jobs, she knew how important the skills NLP gave her would be. It was when she completed her Master Practitioner training in the summer of 2005 that she realized her desire to get NLP to as many people as possible. A few months later, she found her home at The Empowerment Partnership.

As the Logistics Coordinator, Gina sets up the trainings and then travels to them to run the room. She is also in charge of the assistants program. When she is not on the road, she resides in Newport Beach, California.

Gina is a Certified Trainer of NLP, Time Empowerment® Techniques, and Hypnosis. She has completed Trainer's Training, Time Empowerment® Techniques Trainer's Training, as well as Hypnosis Trainer's Training. Lastly, Gina is a Level 4 Huna student and attends the training's each September and March, always adding to her ever growing collection of knowledge and skills.

Vicky Bonilla has experienced the accounting world from all different perspectives. Working her way from Accounting Clerk to Director of Accounting has required lots of hard work, and dedication. The breadth and depth that Vicky has experienced has enabled her to play her role here at American Pacific University to perfection. She is able to see the big picture development of the company as well as manage the day to day with her strong attention to detail.

Vicky became a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines and earned her B.S in Business Administration from Philippine Christian University.

What most know is that Accounting runs in the Bonilla family. Vicky works alongside her husband Alex and their 7 yr old son Zander expressed that he wants to be just like mom and dad when he grows up.

When it comes to accounting, Alex Bonilla has certainly paid his dues. Before coming to the United States, Alex worked as a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines and did Internal and External Auditing. When Alex came to the US he worked with a local Retail Company that owned and operated some high-end boutique shops located at Ala Moana Shopping Center and Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Since 2001 Alex has been working with us in our accounting department. Alex manages all of the company’s financial transactions; degree programs, trainings, seminars, product and the web store.

Alex has always had a passion for Accounting. He was an accounting major in college where he received his Bachelors in Science in Commerce from Divine Word College.