Senior Managing Director, Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation

• Apr 2020 - Present

Managing Director, Strategic Venture Partnerships

• Apr 2017 - Apr 2020

Honda Innovations drives transformative collaboration within all areas of Honda by partnering with innovators of all shapes and sizes from startups to global brands to create cutting edge products and services. Honda Innovations is based in Silicon Valley and operates globally. * Spearhead Honda's open innovation initiatives and strategic alliances with early stage startups, venture capital firms, and technology innovators in tech hubs globally. * Lead global initiatives to identify and evaluate emerging technology partners that align with Honda objectives for strategic partnerships, investments, and pilots/POCs. * Set strategic direction for Honda Xcelerator, an open innovation program to facilitate collaboration between early stage startups and Honda product teams. * Proactively identify potential partnerships that enable Honda to expand into new business areas and share the vision for these opportunities with key influencers within Honda.

Strategic Alliance Liaison (Lead)

• Aug 2012 - Apr 2017

Honda Silicon Valley Lab (HSVL) is the open innovation arm for Honda's global R&D operations. HSVL serves as the catalyst to accelerate Honda’s global information technology (IT) research and development (R&D).• Identified innovative startups for strategic investment and partnership opportunities.• Conducted due diligence, structured deals, and negotiated agreements. • Built and maintained win-win relationships between Honda and a variety of corporate partners. • Formulated and executed open innovation initiatives and established Honda Xcelerator to drive collaboration with external innovators.

Associate

• Jul 2008 - Aug 2012

DEFTA Partners is a boutique venture capital firm that invests in and nurtures early-stage IT start-up companies in the U.S., Japan, and emerging markets.• Supported fund management, operations and investor reporting for 5 early stage VC funds. • Conducted research and due diligence to identify potential investment opportunities. • Performed market research and helped to support firm's portfolio companies in the US and Japan. • Assisted Group Chairman and Director with business development and fundraising projects.

Graduate Research Fellow

• Mar 2006 - Apr 2008

Japanese Ministry of Education Research Scholar (Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommendation)• Awarded fellowship to research IT driven social innovation initiatives in S.E. Asia.• Led a comprehensive study of the impact of Better Factories on garment workers in Cambodia. • Undertook multiple field surveys and published research and policy recommendations.• Completed graduate work in Japanese and received M.A. in development economics. Japanese Ministry of Education Research Scholar (Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommendation)• Awarded fellowship to research IT driven social innovation initiatives in S.E. Asia.• Led a comprehensive study of the impact of Better Factories on garment workers in Cambodia. • Undertook multiple field surveys and published research and policy recommendations.• Completed graduate work in Japanese and received M.A. in development economics.

Administration and Finance Officer

• Feb 2005 - Dec 2005

Consultant position for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to establish and operate the United Nations Pavilion at EXPO 2005.• Served as a liaison between UNESCO HQ and local staff, corporate sponsors, and Expo officials.• Co-managed 50 local staff and volunteers and helped to produce over 30 successful public events. • Negotiated agreements and maintained relationships with vendors.• Maintained accounts and payroll for the United Nations Pavilion at EXPO 2005 Aichi.

Corporate Actions Team

• Jun 2002 - Feb 2005

NikkoCititrust is a subsidiary of Citigroup established in Japan to provide trustee and custodial services to a broad range of institutional investors, including pension fund and investment trust managers.• Supported major project to reorganize and restructure Operations Department• Led project to design and implement MIS reporting system for Global Transaction Services• Served on Corporate Actions Team NikkoCititrust is a subsidiary of Citigroup established in Japan to provide trustee and custodial services to a broad range of institutional investors, including pension fund and investment trust managers.• Supported major project to reorganize and restructure Operations Department• Led project to design and implement MIS reporting system for Global Transaction Services• Served on Corporate Actions Team