Meet the 2024 Fellows – Cashman Aiu

Meet the 2024 Fellows – Cashman Aiu

 

Aloha! Cashman Aiu is a passionate Sales Account Manager at Amazon Ads, where she also serves as the Global Community Engagement Lead for Indigenous Initiatives. As a proud graduate of NYU with a bachelor’s degree in media, culture, and communication, Cashman has built a robust career, previously working as a digital sales planner at NBC Universal and Horizon Media.

Originally from Hawaii, Cashman has called New York home since college, but her role at Amazon allows her to frequently return to her roots. One of her significant contributions was playing a crucial role in the establishment of Amazon’s first warehouse in Hawaii, a project that highlights her dedication to bridging the gap between corporate America and the needs of indigenous communities.

Cashman’s goals center around empowering indigenous young men and women to pursue their passions. “When I entered the industry, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me—definitely not indigenous people of color,” she reflects. As a role model, she aspires to create pathways for indigenous sellers to thrive, ensuring their voices and needs are represented in corporate spaces.

In her current position, Cashman focuses on supporting indigenous businesses, aiming to provide them with the resources necessary for growth. She finds inspiration in being surrounded by strong and empowered women, such as her peers at the Ad Club, and she is eager to participate in discussions and initiatives that may have previously felt out of reach. Cashman attended a fundraising gala for the Hawaii Land Trust, Amazon’s first Hawaiian corporate sponsorship, and this event truly reinforced her belief that she has a seat at the table.

Cashman was recognized as Employee of the Year at Amazon Ads, as her hard work and dedication to making a meaningful difference for indigenous people, especially in the advertising sector, continuously shined through. Her commitment continues to spread outside of Amazon as she was also involved in developing a minor in Native American Indigenous Studies at NYU. She proceeds to immerse herself in learning about indigenous cultures, deepening her knowledge and engagement with these communities.

With a passion for travel, Cashman cherishes her visits home to Hawaii, where ‘ohana (family) remains a central part of her life. As she continues her journey, she strives to uplift her community and ensure that indigenous voices are heard and valued in every room she enters.

Connect with Cashman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cashmanaiu/

 

The 2024-2025 Fellowship bios were written by University of Florida’s Lorena Bacallao ’26, Paulina Navarro ’26, Zoe Punjwani ’26, and Sydney G. Pomeranz ’25.