By: Kevin Hashiro, Chaminade Sports Information Director

Success has always seemed to follow Natalie Phanphengdy wherever she goes whether it’s being a student-athlete to her current occupation at one of the world’s biggest iconic names.
 
Coming to Chaminade from Aiea High School, Phanphengdy was a member of the Silverswords’ women’s tennis team from 2009-12 which, during a three-year stretch, was ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in both the region and nationally.
Graduating from Chaminade in the spring of 2012, her memories of being a student and a Silversword are still strong.
 
“My top three memories were playing collegiate tennis, winning a trip to New York City and working with the Academic Achievement Program (AAP),” she said.
 
“As an NCAA athlete, we got to travel to California, Arizona and the outer islands to compete with other schools,” Phanphengdy recalled. “My favorite part was playing with the foreign, nationally-ranked girls. Even though the score was embarrassing, it was awesome to play with tennis players at that level; they were pretty much pros!
 
“We definitely created some lifetime memories from the road trip,” she continued. “(Former assistant) coach Bob Ford and I have the same birthday which always landed on road trip. For four straight years, we celebrated our birthdays at Olive Garden.”
 
Her sophomore season in 2010 was particularly memorable. “We placed third in the PacWest Championships (in Arizona),” she said. “Third place was huge for us because BYUH and HPU were always at the top.”

The ’Swords finished that season by winning a program-record 11 matches, peaking at No. 7 in the ITA West Region rankings, ending the season at eighth, and No. 40 in the final ITA national rankings. Their third-place finish at the conference championships remains the highest-ever finish by a Chaminade women’s tennis team.
 
Phanphengdy also remembered Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning local singer Anuhea performing live on the Chaminade campus. “Anuhea is my all-time favorite local artist,” she said. “I remember skanking and ‘chee-hooing’ all night. I got a picture with her and a signed CD.”
 
Her second memory revolved around being honored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) which resulted in her traveling to the East Coast.
 
“My senior year, I was selected as the AAF Most Promising Minority Student with the help of Professor Clifford Bieberly,” she said. “I was one of 50 students who had the privilege to go to New York City to meet with AAF and the biggest advertising agencies, THE big five advertising agencies! The ones that are behind the Super Bowl commercials! The experience allowed me to network and grow friendships with other young adverting professionals. My involvement with AAF also opened doors to internships and participation with a non-profit organization called Ad 2.”


The third of her favorite memories was a little closer to home and involved being on campus.
 
“Throughout college, I was a student helper at AAP,” Phanphengdy said. “That was a part-time job I actually looked forward to. I helped with office work, organize and coordinate programs and appointments with tutors. The office staff was so fun and supportive. And there was always food. Every college student loves food. The best part of the job was creating the bulletin board with monthly themes. It was a way for me to express my creativity and share my puns!”
 
She was also a member of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program which also broadened her horizons and experiences.
 
“I enjoyed listening to local entrepreneurs every week and loved to network and meet our community leaders,” she said. “I got to travel to China with the Hogan program and visited companies there like Coca-Cola and Lenovo. We even hiked the Great Wall. I definitely developed the entrepreneurial spirit from this program.”
 
When describing what it was like being on the women’s tennis team and being a student-athlete, there was basically one adjective she used.
 
“The word that describes my experience is ‘busy,’” she said. “Our team was busy practicing, busy running, busy studying, busy trying to balance life, busy laughing and busy eating! It was a tough balancing tennis, school and work but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My teammates are still my closest friends. In fact, I just travelled to Raiatea with them!”
 
“On a serious note, the most important lesson from (former head coach Blake Mosley) was channeling my focus, improving my volleys and forehand. My footwork is still a work in progress, ha ha! Coach Bob was a great hitting partner; he’s like a wall and got every ball back. They were a perfect duo.”
 
In September 2015, Phanphengdy left the islands and moved to San Jose, California, where she is now a part of the sales team for Home Services, a startup by global icon, Google. Home Services, which is still in the beta testing phase but is live in several California markets, helps consumers locate small businesses for home servicing such as plumbers and electricians.
 
“This new ad platform strives to eliminate fraudulent businesses by ensuring our advertisers are licensed, insured and background-checked,” she said. “It’s a lead generation tool that connects consumers with trusted and verified home service businesses. The businesses are only charged if a customer contacts them via phone call or messages. Clicks and impressions are extra perks of Home Services. Businesses are able to manage all leads and weekly budgets on a mobile app or desktop.
 
“My main role is to recruit businesses in new markets, build their ads and train their business on how to manage their leads. My favorite part about my job is giving businesses the opportunity to grow by sending them quality leads. My second favorite part is decreasing the number of scammed consumers by providing a list of trusted businesses.”
 
Despite a demanding schedule, Phanphengdy still finds time to keep up with the happenings at Chaminade and latest in athletics.
 
“I do (follow both) on social media,” she said. “Go ’Swords!”
 
Phanphengdy still remembers those who helped get her to where she is now.
 
“I am where I am today because of my experiences and opportunities Chaminade University has provided me,” she said. “I am forever thankful for all the faculty that has helped me throughout and after my years at CUH.”