Jan 2016 – Present · 10 yrs 2 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

• As a Board Director, I help strengthen U.S.–Japan. relations through governance and program leadership, with a focus on inclusion and leadership development.
• ● Member of the Audit Committee
• ● Founded and chaired the Women’s Impact Network (WIN) to empower women leaders
• ● Curated programs on governance, markets, and women’s leadership.

Jan 2013 – Jan 2015 · 2 yrs · San Francisco Bay Area

• Led finance and accounting governance research at the world’s largest proxy advisory firm, advising institutional investors on board practices and governance risk.
• ● Directed research on governance and stewardship for global institutional investors
• ● Delivered insights that shaped voting recommendations for Japanese companies
• ● Strengthened governance standards and accountability across markets

Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 · 4 yrs · San Francisco Bay Area

• Served as Managing Director in Transaction Advisory, helping companies navigate complex financial and governance challenges.
• ● Led M&A, restructuring, and capital raise engagements for multinational clients
• ● Advised boards and C-suite executives on strategic growth and corporate value
• ● Built deep expertise in valuation and corporate transformation strategies
• ● Served as Chair of Networks for the International Women in Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)

Jan 1999 – Jan 2007 · 8 yrs

• Served as Director with a focus on corporate valuation and restructuring, supporting both U.S. and Japanese clients on complex transactions and financial challenges.
• ● Built deep expertise in corporate valuation; led the Japan engagement for a major bank in valuing non-performing loans
• ● Represented companies through Chapter 11 filings, from pre-petition evaluation of strategic alternatives to DIP financing arrangements, including some of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history
• ● Chaired the Certification in Distressed Business Valuation (CDBV) Committee for the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors (AIRA)

Jan 2007 – Jan 2008 · 1 yr · Japan

• Directed cross-border M&A transactions from target identification through diligence, valuation, and negotiations, supporting Japanese and global companies in achieving successful deals while bridging governance and cultural perspectives.
• ● Executed complex cross-border transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures
• ● Supported the Fairness Opinion capability in the Tokyo office
• ● Hired as part of the initial 3-person team of GCA America, serving as the first U.S. employee to build the strategic global platform before the acquisition of Savvian
• ● Built strong relationships with clients and stakeholders in Japan and abroad

Aug 1992 – Jul 1993 · 11 mos · Shiga, Japan

• Served as an Assistant Language Teacher through the prestigious JET Programme, supporting English language education and cultural exchange in Japan.
• ● Taught English in Japanese junior high schools and supported local language programs
• ● Assisted with translation for local government offices
• ● Served as a cultural ambassador, building cross-cultural understanding between Japan and the U.S.
• ● Developed strong cultural fluency and Japanese language proficiency