When two people you deeply respect, Glen S. Fukushima and Jackie Funasaki, nominate you for something, you pause. Titles and invitation-only honors have never been my thing. But this one? It means something.

Glen is not only one of the founders of the US‑Japan Council but a lifelong advocate for U.S.-Japan relations, a former trade negotiator, and someone whose leadership has shaped policy and business across the Pacific. Jackie is a powerhouse in the East Bay, a connector who brings people together with purpose and energy. She’s the kind of person who knows everyone, remembers what matters to them, and makes introductions that change lives. Her ability to build community is a masterclass in generosity and intention. Their confidence in me means more than any title ever could.Click below to read more!

Last week, I had the extraordinary privilege of sharing a quiet cup of coffee with Glen S. Fukushima. To say I was honored would be an understatement. Here is a man whose resume reads like a blueprint for global impact: former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan and China, two-term president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and vice chairman of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Yet, despite his towering achievements, Glen made time for someone like me. That gesture alone speaks volumes.

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