Executive Impact
Innovate and engage: James Feliciano leads AbbVie’s 5-year focus
Sometimes, taking the road less traveled leads to unexpected places. That was the case for AbbVie G.K. President and ACCJ Governor James Feliciano. In the 1980s, he thought Japan would be an interesting place to check out—what with the Japanese economic miracle and talk of Japan rising. He set out for a trip that… Read
Path finder: Machi Takahashi maps the interactive era
When entrepreneur Machi Takahashi made the transition from executive assistant to business development at a research institute, she could not have imagined the move would lead to her creating a spin-off company. Yet, as cofounder and co-CEO of Stroly, a free platform for sharing GPS-enabled designed maps, that is exactly what… Read
New Eli Lilly president making an impact
It was a desire to work with customers that first led Simone Thomsen to pursue a career in hotel management. And it was a love for things international that led her down a path in that industry to Japan. That she would find the combination of helping others and global… Read
Rui Nagamori empowers mothers through sustainable e-commerce models
Japanese entrepreneur Rui Nagamori never imagined that she would one day be a cofounder of a startup. After all, back in 2010, she was married and had only recently given birth to her son. So, the idea of starting a business—let alone a startup—was the last thing on her mind. But… Read
Lauren Kocher trades music for her own path
American Lauren Kocher is not the kind of person who backs away from a challenge. When it seemed she was set to climb the music industry’s corporate ladder, she stepped off, opened the startup parachute, and cofounded a company. Today, she is the chief operating officer at Zaiko PTE Ltd., which creates ticketing… Read
Crisp and customized service: The right ingredients to success
Hiroshi Roy Miyano, the sole owner and president of custom salad restaurant Crisp Inc, walks into the room full of enthusiasm. The very easy-going president of the well-known salad store chain speaks with passion about his expanding business. Crisp Inc was founded in 2014, and has since expanded to operate… Read
Digital DNA: Rie Kawano thinks her way to success
Rie Kawano is very open about why Cognitee Inc., the company she founded in 2013 and where she is chief executive officer, struggled in the early days. Cognitee develops software powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze the logical structure of communications, from text messages to emails to voice recordings. Negotiations, pitches, articles,… Read
Pronto chief always one cup ahead of the competition
“This is my hobby. That’s why I’ve been in this business for 15 years and yet I never get tired of what I do.” This is how enthusiastically Norihiko Takemura, president of Pronto Corporation, speaks about his business of running the coffee shop chain. However, Takemura is quick to point… Read
Finding work–life balance and social change through global experience
Venture capitalist and impact investment trailblazer Eriko Suzuki knows a thing or two about mid-career change and taking on ever-greater challenges. After all, her career has straddled several fields—from investment banking to startups, retail to impact investing, and even venture capital. And that’s not to mention an upbringing that began in Japan but… Read
Halekulani brings luxury resort experience to Okinawa
Halekulani Okinawa, a new luxury resort, will open its doors on July 26. It is the second hotel to be created by the Hawaiian luxury hotel of the same name and its first outside Hawaii. The Okinawa hotel will also become Japan’s third member of The Leading Hotels of the… Read
