Meet the Speakers

Meet our inspiring speakers! Hailing from all over the world, these women will be sharing insights, best practices, and real-world experiences that will be invaluable to attendees. Scroll down to check out the panels and workshops that will be held at the conference and stay tuned for more that will be confirmed soon!

Raise your Sights

Panel Discussions

Diversifying Tech / STEAM for Equitable Impact

Enhancing Board Diversity for Innovation

Building Equity and an Inclusive Society in Japan... and Beyond

Creative Strategies for Real Estate Investing & Economic Revitalization

Leading with Purpose: Women Transforming Public Service and Business

Women's Entrepreneurship and Starting a Business in Japan

Raise the Bar

Inspiring workshops

Lower Your Expectations To Raise Your Game

Relationships by Design

Practical Yoga Play

Friday, June 7, 2024 8:30am - 5:30pm | Gala, 7:00pm

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

Explore Ticket Options

Conference Overview

Program Details

In partnership with:

Diversifying Tech / STEAM for Equitable Impact

Yan Fan

Co-Founder, Code Chrysalis

Yan is the co-founder of Code Chrysalis, a training company working to help Japanese enterprises transform their workforce. She started, built the technical foundations, grew, and pivoted the company into a multi-million dollar business.

She currently sits on the board of directors. Yan moved to Japan in 2017, from San Francisco where she worked as a software engineer at a machine learning startup, to start Code Chrysalis. Prior to Code Chrysalis, Yan also previously co-founded and served as CTO of a coding boot camp in Jordan helping the region's refugees. She is currently taking a much-needed break before diving into her next thing.

Saori Osu

Public Relations, Marketing, Research and Policy Advocacy, Yamada Shintaro D & I Foundation

Saori, a pioneer in the social sector, is boldly committed to the cause of empowering girls and women. After graduating from Keio University, she propelled her journey at Hitachi, Ltd., navigating IT sales, advertising, and public relations until 2008.

The founder of Global Stage Inc. and the visionary behind the Women Leaders Association of Japan, Saori is not just a leader; she's a catalyst for change. As an external director at Komehyo, Inc., since 2016, she has carved a path for women in management. In 2019, Saori crossed borders to the US, igniting change through a global STEAM inquiry-based educational material, InterEd.

Now at the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation, she directs public relations, marketing, and research, fiercely committed to closing the gender gap in STEM fields. A mother of four, Saori's impact resonates globally from Japan and her current base in the US.

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicola-vote-yoroshiku/

Nicola Vote

CEO & Founder, Nicola Vote Consulting

Nicola started her career more than 25 years ago as a CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) on the JET programme, which led to positions in Japanese governmental organizations promoting international cooperation and technical standardization.

Her interest in cybersecurity began during the 4 years she worked as a technical standardization expert at NTT Docomo and progressed during her 18-year career at McAfee, where she held leadership positions in Japan business development and global customer experience (CX) management. Nicola has been involved in FEW for several years, including the Vice President role from 2017-2019. Nicola now runs her own consultancy and is passionate about promoting safer, confident ways to live our digital lives. Nicola holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of London, MBA (McGill University), JLPT N1. She is a graduate of the Oxford Advanced Management & Leadership Programme, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Yuki Aizawa

Women In Tech Regional Director of APAC

Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Rinne, a purpose driven tech start-up providing blockchain solutions ticking the ESG, SDG to make a real impact through innovation and emerging technologies.

My strong believe in Empowering Women in Technology has landed me in a new exciting role as Women in Tech Global movement -as  APAC Director. 

I am an Official Signatory of Women Empowerment Principles (UNWomen) - a guideline and framework to close the gender inequality gap.

Firm believer that it is never too late at any stage of life to turn things around! There is something everyone can do/contribute at work/life with unique skillsets, find your IKIGAI (Purpose of life). With/through/around technology we can amplify the impact even more and at speed!

Mom of two beautiful grown up kids, daughter is HULT prize, Campus Director 2022 for Australian National University.

Holding Japanese citizenship with mixed parentage, grew up outside of Japan the entire life, aiming to be a global citizen with strong curiosity in cultures with deep empathy which is an important skill as a leadership to a drive a sustainable company.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuki-aizawa/

IG : https://www.instagram.com/yukia108?igsh=ZGtiaTE0MnVvYXN0&utm_source=qr

@yukia108

X (twitter - not really using it but I should!)

https://x.com/yukiaizawawit?s=11&t=JGRyzv1ncz2Ljvc5opAeHw

Moderator

Kristine Ayuzawa

Director, People Operations, Wahl & Case

Kristine has helped globally-minded professionals build meaningful careers for over 15 years. Her experience in the recruitment industry began with interim and executive search and grew to include talent management, leadership development, and sales operations.

She is currently the Director of People Operations at Wahl+Case, where she develops effective hiring, learning, and performance management strategies to further the company's aim of setting a new industry standard. Toward this goal, Kristine strives to align the employee experience with Wahl+Case values and cultivate an environment where consultants succeed by embodying their one rule - “Always do what is in the best interest of your customers. Always.”

Originally from the United States, Kristine holds a BS in Human Development from Cornell University and an MS in Corporate Training & Communication from Purdue University. She is a Certified Executive Life Coach and Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF). As an HR leader and lifelong learner, she also maintains SHRM-SCP and SPHR credentials through ongoing professional development.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristineayuzawa/

Moderator

Mahi Patki

Programs Co-Director, FEW Japan

Mahi Patki is a graduate student majoring in Environmental Sciences at the University of Tokyo (UTokyo). Born in India, she has lived in Japan for the past 15 years and is proactively engaged in many student-led projects tackling environmental and social issues.

As the Director of Events and Planning at WomEnpowered International, she spearheaded a series of events to educate about and destigmatize menstruation and women’s health called Period rediscovered. The series explored the science behind menstruation, period products, contraceptives, lifestyle factors, menopause, and period poverty. In continuation, she organized multiple documentary screenings of “A Bloody Taboo” at UTokyo. 

Mahi is also a founding member of the UTokyo Green Transformation Student Network (GXSN), which has spurred many student-led environmental sustainability-related projects. In particular, she led the installation of water dispensers across UTokyo campuses as an impetus to change single-use culture, organized Campus Changemakers Summit 2023, and coordinated UTokyo’s first Sustainability week. She recently became a trained facilitator for the Climate Fresk - an interactive educational workshop to understand climate change. Mahi enjoys pottery, embroidery, and growing plants in her free time. 

Enhancing Board Diversity for Innovation

Rika Nakazawa

Global VP, NTT

Rika is a technology leader, VC investor, best-selling author, and frequent public speaker on technology-powered industry transformation. She is Global Vice President with NTT’s New Ventures & Innovation team where she is building Agile Co-innovation practices for emerging technologies like 5G, Edge Computing, AI, and IoT.

In her additional role as Head of Sustainability for Americas at NTT, Rika is driving NTT's sustainability ambition in operations while also orchestrating the go-to market for NTT's climate-positive solutions across their portfolio of digital infrastructure solutions.  For 2 consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, Rika has been awarded “Power 70” and “Power 80” recognition for the Women of Channel awards with The Channel Co’s CRN network. She has also been ranked as "Top 100  in Emerging Tech" by Women of the Future. 

Trilingual in Japanese, German, and English, Rika grew up in Japan and moved to the US to attend Princeton University. Rika has since worked internationally in senior executive roles in strategy, business development, consulting, and marketing with Fortune 500 companies - Accenture, NVIDIA, Capgemini, Sony - and Silicon Valley startups. She is a digital innovation veteran and has served on multiple boards in Next-Gen Computing, XR/VR/AR, Cybersecurity, and AI ecosystems.  Rika is currently board chair at STRIDES AI - a social impact venture that is advancing diversity in senior leadership with an AI platform, and a board member of Venus Shell Systems - a circular and blue economy enterprise.  

 Rika is the best-selling author of “Dear Chairwoman” - featuring the trials and triumphs of women corporate board leaders.  Her next book, featuring the intersection of sustainability, digital innovation, and the pandemic, is called “Beyond the Black Swan: How the Pandemic and Digital Innovation Intensified the Sustainability Imperative - Everywhere" was just released by Taylor & Francis in January 2024.

Caroline Codsi

Founder, Women in Governance

Caroline Codsi is a trailblazer for gender equality in corporate sectors.  She founded Women in Governance in 2010, the organization that launched the first North American Parity Certification in 2017 that has reshaped workplaces and is endorsed by global giants like Accenture, FedEx, Pfizer, Rolls Royce, and many other industry leaders.

With a diverse board portfolio and global advocacy, including TEDx talks and fireside chats with Top CEOs, Chairs of Boards, and public figures like Hillary Clinton, Justin Trudeau, Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Tarana Burke, Randy Zuckerberg, to name just a few.

Caroline is the recipient of numerous prestigious national and international awards. She was named Top 20 Diversity Leading Figure in Quebec, Top 75 Canadian Immigrant, Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, and Top 100 Entrepreneurs changing the world.

Angela Yuen

Co-President, Women in Law Japan

Angela Yuen, Deputy General Counsel and GM of Legal Operations at JERA Inc., Tokyo, oversees global legal functions, driving digital transformation and innovation.

With over 20 years' experience in-house and in private practice, she specializes in major projects in mining, power, energy, resources, and infrastructure sectors. Angela was listed in the 2023 Legal 500 GC Power List for Japan and was a finalist for Best In-house Lawyer in 2020. She co-presides over Women in Law Japan and Japan In-House Counsel.

Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovikj

CEO and Founder, BrioNexus | Special Advisor for International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture of Japan | Ambassador of Science and Diplomacy, EU's Acrid Network

Andrijana Cvetkovikj is a dynamic leader with a multifaceted career in diplomacy, filmmaking, and business. She was Macedonia's first Ambassador to Japan, and currently serves as an Advisor for International Cooperation to Japan's Minister of Culture.

Andrijana is the CEO and Founder of BrioNexus, a Tokyo-based multinational firm specializing in quantum computing, semiconductors, AI, and blockchain. Her extensive professional experience includes positions such as Director for North Asia at the Economist Group, Executive Advisor to Cartier, Board Director at several publicly listed companies, and Board Member and Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce.

Dr Cvetkovikj holds an Honorary Doctorate from the European University and has been a speaker at prestigious events like the World Economic Forum and the UN's Climate Change Conference. She is also a Chief Curator for the SDGs in Motion Program at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Dr Cvetkovikj holds a PhD in Cinema Studies from Nihon University and an Executive MBA from TUJ Fox School of Business. Her dedication to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality earned her the WIN Inspiring Women Worldwide Award in 2022. She is also the Ambassador of Science and Diplomacy for the EU's Acrid Network.

Moderator

Tracy Gray

Founder, We are Enough

Ms. Gray is the Founder/Managing Partner of The 22 Fund (The 22), an impact, early-growth venture capital firm with a mission of growing generational wealth/mobility & creating the clean, quality jobs of the future in LMI communities by increasing the global competitiveness of climate tech/sustainable manufacturing companies, intentionally targeting women- and BIPOC-owned businesses.

She was recently appointed President, Commission on the Status of Women by LA Mayor Karen Bass, named a Forbes 50 Over 50 in Finance and cited by Business Insider’s as The 32 most important VCs in Los Angeles, according to other VCs and The 30 rising star VCs in Los Angeles, according to other VCs. She is also a Board Director for Applife Digital Solutions, Inc (ALDS) and the CSUDH Philanthropic Foundation Endowment.

Additionally, Ms. Gray serves on Melinda Gates’ Pivotal Venture’s Women of Color Advisory Council, PGIM Real Estate’s Impact Advisory Council, as an advisor to the Fearless Fund, as a Lead Partner at the Portfolia Green & Sustainability Fund and numerous committees focused on the intersection of finance and climate, gender, race and manufacturing. Ms. Gray is the first Social Impact Fellow at the UC Berkeley’s Center for Equity, Gender and Leadership and was an Executive-in-Residence at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator.

In 2015, Ms. Gray gave a TEDx Talk entitled “Why It's Time for Women to Be Sexist with Investment Capital.” Due to the response, Ms. Gray founded the nonprofit We Are Enough (WAE). WAE’s only mission is to educate ALL women on how and why to invest in women- owned, for-profit businesses or with a “gender lens.” WAE was chosen by Variety magazine as a global 50 most "impactful" nonprofits.

Ms. Gray was named a 50 Women of Influence in business in LA, featured in the book “200 Hundred Women: Who Will Change the Way You See the World”, co-wrote “How Foundations Fail Diverse Fund Managers and How to Fix It” for the Stanford Social Innovation Review and co-created Due Diligence 2.0 Commitment. In 2019, Ms. Gray received the Bad Ass Woman in Green award from the California League of Conservation Voters and the Women of Courage award from Youth Mentoring Connection.

Ms. Gray formerly worked as a senior advisor to the LA Mayor, at a venture capital fund and as a systems engineer on the Space Shuttle program. She holds a B.S. in Mathematical Science with an aeronautics emphasis from UCSB and dual MBAs from Columbia University/UC Berkeley.

Moderator

Dr. Jackie F. Steele

President, FEW Japan

Dr. Jackie F. Steele is a trilingual, Canadian political scientist, author, and longtime Japan resident. Jackie has taught at leading universities in Canada (UOttawa, SFU) and Japan (UTohoku, UTokyo, Nagoya Law). As CEO of enjoi Diversity & Innovation, she shares her expertise on how to design and implement diversity-positive ecosystems and corporate cultures.

Using best practices from Canada, Dr. Steele offers evidence-based change management strategies to guide leaders in creating healthy and diversified corporate decision-making and flat, inclusive workplaces that are empowering for diverse talent. For two decades Jackie has also supported grassroots organizations and public/private sector policy leaders in the creation of policy designs for diversity, gender equality, and inclusive innovation. She represented Canadian civil society leadership on women’s equality to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (2008/2009), and served as gender/diversity advisor to the Japan Women’s Network for DRR for revisions to the UN international Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015). Since April 2022, Jackie is Senior DEI Business Partner, Amazon Japan G.K. In her volunteer life, she is a Governor for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, serves as an angel Activator with SheEO Canada, and is the Strategic Advisor of WomEnpowered International (UTokyo). She is mother to two adorable children and considers Chikuma (Nagano) her hometown community in Japan.

The post The FEWture Conference Meet Our Speakers appeared first on FEW Japan | 一般社団法人FEW Japan.

Program Details

To help you get the most out of your day at our 2024 conference, we have organized our sessions under 4 overarching themes:

Raise your Purpose

Fundraising for the future of inclusion

Raise your Sights

Invigorating panel discussions

Raise the Bar

Inspiring workshops

Raise the Roof

Evening Gala with dinner & dance

Friday, June 7, 2024 8:30am - 5:30pm | Gala, 7:00pm

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

Explore Ticket Options

Conference Overview

Gala Overview

In partnership with:

The FEWture Conference and Gala Schedules have been announced:

Download Schedules

Watch the highlight reel of Domoto-sensei's amazing keynote speech at the 2024 FEWture Conference!

Caroline Codsi

Caroline Codsi is a trailblazer for gender equality in corporate sectors.  She founded Women in Governance in 2010, the organization that launched the first North American Parity Certification in 2017 that has reshaped workplaces and is endorsed by global giants like Accenture, FedEx, Pfizer, Rolls Royce, and many other industry leaders. With a diverse board portfolio and global advocacy, including TEDx talks and fireside chats with Top CEOs, Chairs of Boards, and public figures like Hillary Clinton, Justin Trudeau, Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Tarana Burke, Randy Zuckerberg, to name just a few.

Caroline is the recipient of numerous prestigious national and international awards. She was named Top 20 Diversity Leading Figure in Quebec, Top 75 Canadian Immigrant, Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, and Top 100 Entrepreneurs changing the world.

Diversifying Tech / STEAM for Equitable Impact

In partnership with

Bringing together speakers with industry, practitioner, and academic backgrounds in STEAM and tech, this panel will touch upon topics such as women’s contributions to tech leadership, software development, the role of human intelligence versus AI, cybersecurity and education for girls and teens in STEAM fields. This panel will raise our understanding of the pressing issues of our times and how to foster girls’ and women’s literacy and leadership in frontier industries key to a more equitable and sustainable future.

Moderators

Yan Fan

Co-Founder, Code Chrysalis

Saori Osu

Public Relations, Marketing, Research and Policy Advocacy, Yamada Shintaro D & I Foundation

Nicola Vote

CEO & Founder, Nicola Vote Consulting

Yuki Aizawa

Women In Tech Regional Director of APAC

Moderator

Kristine Ayuzawa

Director, People Operations, Wahl & Case

Moderator

Mahi Patki

Programs Co-Director, FEW Japan

Click on a speaker/moderator's name to learn more about them.

 Enhancing Board Diversity for Innovation

In partnership with

Drawing on the multifaceted experiences and insights gained from (paid or unpaid) roles on boards of governance (corporate, nonprofit, professional association), we will dive into the nitty gritty of why diversifying decision-making at all levels yields more sustainable innovation, why a 360 degree view on problems and solutions is so key to good governance, and how diverse boards can leverage inclusive decision-making structures and best practices to ensure positive impact for people, prosperity, and planet.

Moderators

Rika Nakazawa

Global VP, NTT

Caroline Codsi

Founder, Women in Governance

Angela Yuen

Co-President, Women in Law Japan

Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovikj

CEO, BrioNexus

Tracy Gray

Founder, We are Enough

Moderator

Dr. Jackie F. Steele

President, FEW Japan

Click on a speaker/moderator's name to learn more about them.

Creative Strategies for Real Estate Investing & Economic Revitalization

In partnership with

Discover new avenues for creative financial wellness tailored for women in Japan. Delve into strategic investment tactics shared by industry experts, exploring how entrepreneurship, real estate, and financial prosperity intersect. Embrace the power of creative thinking to navigate real estate markets effectively, unlocking sustainable pathways to financial success through innovative approaches at the intersection of entrepreneurship and investment.

Moderators

Blanka Kobayashi

Marketing Director, Kobayashi Group Japan

Naomi Saito

Founder of Serendipity, LLC

Angela Ortiz Pettas

Owner/Founder of Mi Casa Mobara

Adela Szatvanyi

Strategic Business Consultant

Moderator

Tracey Northcott

CEO & Founder of Tokyo Family Stays G.K

Moderator

Shizuka Suzuki

Memberships Director, FEW Japan

Click on a speaker/moderator's name to learn more about them.

Women's Entrepreneurship and Starting a Business in Japan

In partnership with

Are you an entrepreneur or thinking of becoming one? Join our insightful business panel for an immersive journey into entrepreneurship. Learn startup essentials, digital marketing strategies, and master networking techniques from our diverse panel whose experiences range from startups to serial entrepreneurs. In this session, you'll discover the secrets to finding your ideal clients and unlock the mindset of a serial entrepreneur.

Moderators

Hana Nakanishi

Startup Program Coordinator, JETRO

Patricia Bader-Johnston

Founder, Silverbirch Associates

Yumiko Horie

Founder, Posse Nippon K.K

Elvira Yunitan

Product Manager, Rakuten Advertising Technology Department.

Moderator

Chinyere Okoli

JMECAA Co-Chair

Moderator

Christine Brown

Vice President, FEW Japan

Click on a speaker/moderator's name to learn more about them.

The post The FEWture Conference Program Details appeared first on FEW Japan | 一般社団法人FEW Japan.

The FEWture Conference

22nd Biannual Career Strategies Seminar

Friday, June 7, 2024 8:30am - 5:30pm | Gala, 7:00pm

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

New Speakers Announced!

Program Details

Now live: The FEWture Gala 

Gala Overview

Build your FEWture

 

FEW Japan’s flagship Biannual Career Strategies Seminar is back after a long pandemic hiatus! And we’re excited to announce its new name: The FEWture Conference.

Held every two years, The FEWture Conference is FEW Japan’s biannual full-day event that brings together English-speaking women in Japan of all backgrounds to meet inspiring speakers, immerse themselves in pioneering talks, and join skills-building masterclasses. Participants leave the event equipped with broad industry knowledge, along with the necessary tools, connections, and friendships to enhance their lives and careers in Japan. In the evening, we will host a gala dinner and dance the night away!

The FEWture Conference will raise mission-critical funds to support our non-profit’s mission and national outreach on women’s empowerment in Japan. In addition, The FEWture Conference will be raising funds for the following like-minded non-profits who share our values of building an inclusive society in Japan:

• NPO Nijiro Diversity, driving LGBTQ Inclusion
• NPO Mirai no Mori, empowering marginalised youth
• Mimoza Ways, Sharing Japanese Women’s History
• GLIDE Fund, empowering Global Leaders in International Disability Education

 

Get ready to 

Raise the bar!

Raise your sights!

And at the end of the day, raise the roof with a fantastic night of celebrations!  

 

We hope you’ll join us - this year’s conference is set to be our best one yet!

Friday, June 7, 2024 8:30am - 5:30pm | Gala, 7:00pm

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

New Speakers Announced!

Program Details

Download Schedules

Now live: The FEWture Gala 

Gala Overview

The FEWture Conference and Gala Schedules have been announced:

Download Schedules

"Just seeing the amazing collection of talented women who have made a life here in Japan, sharing their knowledge so openly with those who are eager to find better opportunities in their journey. My first CSS was in 2016 and I will never forget the amazing and inspiration speeches that continue to guide me even to this day in 2024. It really does help you open your sights to bigger and more daring levels. Not thinking as small as I used to. I am absolutely looking forward to having a more engaging role in this year's CSS."

Tia Haygood

Owner & Principal Photographer, TOPTIA Photography

"I've attended several CSS events in my 2 decades (!) in Japan and at each event I've had brilliant experiences. Early in my career, I made connections, was inspired about what was possible as a foreign woman in Japan. I met multiple people who would become my coaches, my friends and important parts of my community here. It can be easy to feel isolated as people come and go so making new connections is really valuable to maintain mental equilibrium. When I stepped away from my corporate role in Marketing and set up my own coaching and training business, FEW CSS was the first public speaking event I participated in. It was wonderful to overcome my nerves with the warm and supportive audience. Each event is unique and the speakers all bring something new to the table. If you need a little inspiration or community building or just to be reminded of your own potential, then I strongly recommend joining the CSS this year."

Jennifer Shinkai

Ikigai and Inclusion, Facilitator and Coach

"At my first CSS event, I came across with wonderful speakers and learned a lot in a day. Also, getting connected to like-minded ladies became my asset."

Kyoko Nagano

CEO, Mypal Inc.; Director, Sake Lovers Inc.

“FEW CSS and membership provided me with concrete skills, network, clients, advice, leadership opportunity, collaborations, partnering and mentors, not to mention lasting friendships. The women of FEW uplifted me, believed me, gave me confidence, listened, counselled me, and provided a sense of belonging.And then there’s the magic. There’s something about being in a room full of women. Who all know why they’re there. Who are focussed on the elevation of themselves and others. Who are there to create more and more for everyone in the room.”

Sarah Furuya

Founder, Sarah Furuya Coaching/Sarah Furuya Creative

Hosted in partnership with the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

The 2024 FEWture Conference is hosted in partnership with the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, FEW Japan’s newest Ruby Corporate Sustaining Member.

Located in Otemachi, Tokyo's business district, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi is a symbol of Japanese culture and faces the Imperial Palace, geographically located in the heart of Tokyo. Adjacent to Otemachi Station and within walking distance of Tokyo Station.

Venue

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

Address: 1-chōme-2-1 Ōtemachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0004

Contact: 03-6810-0600

Gala guests will enjoy a beautiful menu curated by Chef Kensuke Kuze

Chef Kensuke Kuze, who honed his skills under prestigious restaurants such as Le Jules Verne, a Michelin restaurant located inside the Eiffel Tower in Paris and also under Michelin 3-star chef Alain Ducasse.

Ruby Strategic Sustaining Members

Corporate Sustaining Members

Organizational Members

Other Upcoming Events

Morning Co-Working Salon: A Sunday Morning for You + Your Projects

Making Life Gorgeous: A Stellar Summer Workshop & Social with Sarah Furuya

Summer Networking in Tokyo

Rewrite Your Inner Story, Transform Your Life: Part 2 In-Person Workshop

Finding Your Voice When AI is Doing the Talking: An Evening with Helen Iwata

The post The FEWture Conference appeared first on FEW Japan | 一般社団法人FEW Japan.

We are excited to be re-igniting the FEW CSS torch in 2020, embracing the extended Olympic year for Tokyo and aiming to help women seek and reach a place on the workplace podium. We welcome women from all walks of life to join us for skill building and networking.

Whether you are considering diving into a new career, racing through the first years of your start-up or are simply taking time on the bench to contemplate your options, the FEW CSS hopes to help you discover that BOLD IS GOLD. 

During the day participants will have the opportunity to attend online workshops across three areas:

• Career – in these sessions we will consider how it feels to dive into a new career or overcome workplace hurdles. We will discuss how to be inclusive team members whilst rowing against the tide of work culture in Japan. We will be inspired by examples of synchronized approaches to challenges as well as reflecting on how to champion ourselves while climbing to the top and inspiring our crowds.

• Business – these sessions will help all those taking a leap into the start-up world in Japan. We will explore how to reach the target of incorporation, and compete clean with finance, how to brand your team, and join the relay race to funding. Scoring goals with innovative business is challenging but anything is possible when you find ways to keep the flame of determination alight.

• Self – to power our working selves we must take care of our inner and physical selves. These sessions will teach the importance of warming up, being conscious of self in the workplace as well as the power of training to be fit to work and lead.

Our energies will be replenished with an opportunity to network during lunch and at the end of the day celebrate our wins. Join us for a whole day of TEAM FEW smiles and energy as we support and empower each other in the race towards personal bests and success.

We are delighted to have such an array of inspiring speakers join the line up. Check out the line up here >>

For more information about exact schedule and speakers please download the Brochure for CSS 2020.

Sign-up for this Event!

Registration for this event is now closed.

The post FEW Career Strategies Seminar: BOLD IS GOLD appeared first on FEW Japan | 一般社団法人FEW Japan.

The day-long seminar began with a colorful workshop by Lumina Learning, Know Yourself: The First Step to Develop Your Personal Brand, which allowed attendees to discover their own strengths and personality traits through Lumina Splash, an App that brings each individual’s traits to life in a vivid way.

The following Networking Bingo helped attendees let loose and connect with others at CSS before breaking out for the first set of sessions.

Attendees could choose one of three session for each of the three blocks – one in the morning and two sessions in the afternoon.

The morning sessions included:

• Mentors as Aid for Progressing Your Career & Business with Edvard Vondra
• Resume Writing & Online Presences with Annie Chang
• Transition got a New Beginning with Keiko Suzuki

This was followed by lunch and time to socialize before kicking off the afternoon with an active movement session led by GYROKINESIS® trainer, Maya Ileto. This gentle exercise got our blood flowing, relaxed, and happy to be fully engaged in the remainder of the day.

The afternoon sessions included:

• How to Leverage Your Strengths for a Career Change with Sarah Furuya
• Elevate Your Business to the Next Level with Betsy Rogers
• How to Balance Careers and Caregiving in Japan panel discussion with Jennifer Shinkai, Kate Neath, Akiko Marusaka, and Teruhiko Kinooka

And lastly:

• Influence & Persuade with Yumiko Takeda
• Interview Techniques with Riya Rapp
• Cross-Cultural Mediation & Conflict Resolution with Sarajean Rossitto and Noriko Kishida

These breakout sessions allowed participants to engage in activities and discussions in smaller groups where many inspiring and thought-provoking exchanges occurred. The sessions also allowed each participant to make CSS cater more to their own needs and brands.

Attendees were also able to personalize their CSS experience by opting for a resume review or mini coaching session with one of the professionals. Top Tia, who photographed the day, also provided a booth for professional headshots.

The 20th Career Strategies Seminar concluded with prize drawings from our Strategic Partners and a networking reception for all participants, including many of the facilitators and speakers who helped make CSS happen.

The eventful day was fueled by Warm Hearts Coffee and the delightful lunch, finger foods, and wine catered by Kiwi Kitchen. Carefinder provided on-site childcare to encourage women juggling home and professional lives to take part in the day.

Visit our FEW Japan Facebook Page for photos of the day by TopTia

What did attendees say?
“CSS is not just a networking opportunity but a growth opportunity. I was challenged to look at myself and my goals in a different way. ” (FEW Member, First time attending CSS)

“This was a great gathering of women from so many different backgrounds and interests – from the various industries, types of companies, levels of experience and generations, women from all communities and countries could learn a lot to enhance their career and potential. Look forward to joining again!” (FEW Member, Serial CSS attendee – attending 3 or more times)

“CSS was such a nice opportunity to meet people and learn, and the atmosphere was friendly and stimulating, I can only wish for more on a longer time frame! I found the FEW CSS much more valuable than the WIN conference I also attended a few weeks earlier.”  (FEW Member, First time attending CSS)

“I am so fortunate and grateful for FEW especially for the volunteers to make CSS possible. There are so many women of all walks of life and in different stages attending. Everyone leaves the event feeling inspired having learned something new and knowing they have support for an exciting transition.” (FEW Member, First time attending CSS)

What did the facilitators say?
“True honor to be asked to be a part of this supportive women’s organization devoted to helping women in all phases of our lives. I greatly enjoyed being a facilitator as well as a participant for an amazing day of learning, networking, and friendship.” (Riya Rapp, Facilitator)

“I was invited to join CSS to help energize the participants for the afternoon sessions. And what an easy job it was—everyone was so enthusiastic and joyful in their movements that I ended up receiving even more than I gave. I think that’s an important aspect of this event. It’s an opportunity to share and renew your energy, whether you’re a session leader or participant, a CEO or a new graduate just starting your career.” (Maya Ileto, GYROKINESIS® trainer)

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FEW Japan is proud to be a Partner Network of the 7^th Japan WINConference, taking place in Tokyo on June 2, 2017, at Tokyo Women’s Plaza. This half-day event will provide attendees with inspiration, knowledge, practical tools, and contacts to help them succeed and prepare for the future. Its aim is to help participants lead the way and support others that do so too. WIN will inspire and accompany attendees on their journey as integrated global, authentic and feminine leaders. FEW Members can also attend the conference at the special discounted rate.*

This year’s conference theme is ‘Creating a Flourishing Future.’ Japan is near a tipping point when it comes to women, work-life balance and diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In the spirit of collaboration and global understanding, WIN convenes leaders to exchange best practices on leading the way and supporting those that create a future that will benefit everyone. Join the conference to connect with dynamic women and men, and immerse yourself in the conference’s plenaries, workshops and networking sessions.

About

WIN asks: Who are the individuals and organizations leading the way with purpose, creating work places with meaning, and developing societies where everyone has the freedom of choice in a world in which we all flourish? WIN also looks at how and why you are called to step up and create the future or actively support those who do.

When: 2 June 2017 (half-day event)

Where: Tokyo Women’s Plaza

5 Chome-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Who: Women and men in senior and middle management, consultants, entrepreneurs, NGO leaders, politicians, artists, all longing for a positive change in their world, work and life…. YOU!

What: A global leadership conference of plenary sessions, workshops, working forums, a networking lunch and dinner connecting you to ideas, energy and people.

Why: Join to inspire and be inspired, to learn and to share, to create and co-create, to contribute and to connect with ideas, yourself and other outstanding leaders from Japan and the rest of the world.

How: Become a speaker, a sponsor, an affiliated network and more than anything, become an active participant.

*FEW Members are entitled to attend for the discounted rate of ¥ 10,000 (When registering, check “Partner Network” and then select “FEW Japan” from the drop down menu.)  This rate excludes the optional dinner on June 2nd.

For full details and registration, please visit the Japan WINConference website or download the  2017 WINConference Invitation Brochure (PDF).

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FEW is excited to support the 2017 Global Summit of Women, taking place in Tokyo, Japan on May 11-13, 2017 at the Grand Prince New Takanawa Hotel, Shinagawa. Bringing together women leaders from every corner of the world, the 2017 Summit will salute women’s achievements while continuing to explore practical strategies and best practices in improving women’s economic status, whether they are corporate initiatives, public policies or NGO programs.

The theme of the 2017 Summit — “Beyond Womenomics: Accelerating Access” — showcases various initiatives developed in different parts of the world to speed up both women’s access to corporate leadership roles as well as strategies for growing women-owned enterprises worldwide. In addition, the 2017 Summit will inform delegates on how to access the Japanese and Asia-Pacific market, showcase women business and government leaders from the region, and provide skills- building sessions, as well as establish networks among such leaders. Join the Summit to be inspired, to learn, and to share lessons with women from more than seventy economies around the world.

Summit Features:

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The morning session kicked off with an inspirational speech by Underwater Explorer and Double Guinness World Record Holder of  “The Longest Distance in Cave with only ONE Breath,” Ai Futaki, who shared with us how the human-water connection has helped her overcome various challenges and find her own unique path in life.

This was followed by the dynamic duo comprising FEW Strategic Partners, Sarah Furuya and Divya Marie Kato, who led us through an introductory session entitled “Losing the Labels, Lose the Weight & Rise.” Attendees were encouraged to use their imagination and connect with others in a unique way and were led through a drawing exercise to discover what is weighing them down.

After a delicious lunch, the afternoon was opened by Jay Ponazecki, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce of Japan, who offered some insights into what is happening in Japan in terms of initiatives to help women rise as well as the challenges they continue to face. Reflecting on her recent 450 kilometer walking holiday in Spain, she offered the following words: “If your goal is to get to your destination so that you can take your boots off, don’t bother putting your boots on in the first place. Really question why you want to do things and adjust accordingly. We all talk about rising but make sure you are rising in a way that means the most to you.”

To round off the day, Divya guided a review of the morning drawing activity that linked to the above-mentioned pillars, while Sarah conducted a closing activity on our theme for the day: Rise.

Attendees were able to enjoy three out of ten workshops according to their interests. Workshops covered:

• transitioning with emotional intelligence out of challenging situations
• methods for having your opinion valued by men without resistance
• preparing to take the leap from the corporate world to running your own business and what it will take to stick with it
• how to nurture your personal brand online
• four main areas of personal financial planning
• how to better nourish your body, thoughts and emotions
• how to define and exploit your true value
• key things to think about before starting your business and establishing a corporate identity
• common communication misconceptions and weaknesses and strategies to overcome them in an international setting
• finding your personal style and how to dress with confidence

Thank you to speakers, workshop facilitators, attendees, sponsors and CSS organisers for helping make the day a huge success. We look forward to seeing you at the next CSS or at a FEW meeting or event soon.

• View FEW CSS 2016 Schedule
• Photos from the day by TopTia can be found on our Facebook page

What did attendees say?

“CSS 2016 was a super energetic recharging cocktail with lots of great ideas, inspiring speakers and wonderful people – I wish I could attend whenever my batteries need to be recharged. Good job, FEW!”

“Once again the CSS delivers actual on-the-day value. Epiphanies were had, people had the space to take a day out of life and focus entirely on themselves, feel empowered and part of something, and get inspired by people getting right out of their comfort zone and into the zone. Lives change. You’ll be surprised and inspired at this event. It’s so much more than learning and connection. Something special happens each time.”

“Women Rising is how we FEW ladies left at the end of the Amazing day full of insights, laughter and inspiring stories. I truly appreciated the extra honoring of Maya Angelou by listening /watching her read her poem.”

“FEW CSS is like a wedding. You are all excited about it, then you spend an amazing day with lots of great and fun people, and it’s all over too soon. You can only wait for the next CSS and look forward to next FEW event!”

“This was my first time to attend anything by FEW, as I live very far from Tokyo. I was impressed by the focus and dynamism exhibited by many of the panelists and encouraging members.  I wish I had stayed the whole day, as I enjoyed myself!”

“I came to be inspired, learn something new, meet new people and have done just that! The talks, the workshops – so many to choose from!, the organisation, the handouts and oh my, the food, glorious food!! Truly honoured to be there, amongst such brilliant people. And so much FUN.”

CSS 2016 Speaker and Workshop Details

Keynote Speakers

Ai Futaki, Underwater Explorer, Double Guinness World Record Holder of  “The Longest Distance in Cave with only ONE Breath,” TEDx Speaker
Two-time freediving Guinness World Record holder, underwater videographer, performer, model, speaker and instructor sharing the beauty and ONENESS with water. She is the bridge between the underwater world and the human world.

“Rising My Way”
Ai truly is part of the underwater world. By representing the aquatic realm in a way that the world has never seen, Ai will highlight the meaning and expression of the human–water connection.

Jay Ponazecki, Chairman of American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Jay Ponazecki is the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and served as ACCJ President in 2014 and 2015. Until December 2015, Ms. Ponazecki was a partner at Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office. She represented multinational businesses in a wide array of industry sectors in a variety of cross-border legal transactions, including tender offers, privatizations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. Ms. Ponazecki also represented financial sector firms and asset management companies, assisting them with their portfolio investments, regulatory compliance matters, commercial arrangements and investor and operational issues. She also advised clients on the adoption of global corporate compliance, trade secret, privacy and data protection policies, as well as inbound clients on how to best launch or expand their business operations in Japan and other key strategic issues associated with doing business in Japan.

“Women Rising in Japan”
Jay will address whether Prime Minister Abe’s discussion of the importance of womenomics in revitalizing the Japanese economy is resulting in women rising more in the Japanese workplace, what some of the remaining challenges are and what business sectors appear to be most promising for career growth in Japan. Jay will also share some of the personal and professional lessons she has learned during her career as a cross border legal and business advisor and some of her reflections during a recent 450 kilometer walking holiday in Spain. There will also be time for questions.

Morning  & Afternoon Activity Facilitators

Sarah Furuya, Coach & Facilitator at Clever Rebels, Curious Corporates
Sarah Furuya is a life and executive coach based in Tokyo for 15 years. She works mainly with women, listening to their stories, identifying and overcoming self-limiting beliefs, uncovering truth and having fun doing it. She speaks on women’s leadership in Japan at human resources conferences and is the Programme Director of the Flourish Leadership programme. She is a former president of FEW and now, as a Strategic Partner, offers sponsored coaching places to women on lower incomes. That’s all fancy and great but, basically, she just has one request: “Let’s play!”

Divya Marie Kato, Artist & Author
Divya Marie Kato is an artist who specialises in drawing. But not the kind you learned in school. Take the label “drawing” off. Take the labels “good” and “bad” off. Take the label “art” off (you may need to tug a little). Less how. More why. Creator of the online course, “Drawing. Done Differently” and author of the forthcoming book, “When in doubt, draw.” One half of the Clever Rebel Mastermind with Coach Sarah Furuya of Clever Rebels, Curious Corporates. Together, though exclusive workshops and retreats, we get to the truth of your stories. Make sure the one you’re telling yourself is true. And serving you to rise up to the life you want.

“Losing the Labels, Lose the Weight & Rise”
The ups and downs that make up a human life get stored in the body as information. How do we go about processing this information? Ancient Greek Aphorism: “Know thyself.” Something we all did as kids. Something our species has been doing since the beginning. Get out of the left brain and into the right. You’ll surprise yourself. Guaranteed.

Morning Workshop Facilitators & Outline 

Paula Sugawara, Managing Director for Japan at Lee Hecht Harrison
Paula Sugawara is the managing director for Japan at Lee Hecht Harrison, a global leader in talent development and career transition services. Her career spans 14 years in investment banking with Nomura Securities, Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs, as an equity analyst covering the Japanese machinery sector. After retraining as an executive coach and corporate facilitator, she was the Japan director for the global leadership development company Bridge Partnership. During her time there, she worked with C-level executives in a wide range of companies supporting them on their leadership journeys.

“Transition to Become One’s Best”
Not all life’s events involve smooth transitions. This workshop imparts knowledge and skills to be at one’s best in both our professional and personal lives by transitioning with emotional intelligence out of challenging situations with clients, in the workplace, or at home and to maximize relationships based on the approach of “success through others.”

Dr. Greg Story, President of Dale Carnagie Training Japan
Dr. Greg Story’s career has spanned the academic world, consulting, investments, trade representation, international diplomacy, retail banking and human development. In 2001, he was made the Minister Commercial for the Australian Embassy, as well as the Country Head for Austrade. In 2003 he joined Shinsei’s Retail Bank, eventually becoming Joint CEO, and later the Country Head for the National Australia Bank in Japan. He joined Dale Carnegie Training Japan as President in 2010, and served as the Chairman of the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan from 2008 to 2010. Dr. Story is a lecturer for the Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC), an advisor to the Waseda Marketing Forum and a Board Member of the Dale Carnegie International Franchisees Association.

“How To Successfully Promote Your Opinion: Disarming negative Pushback From Men”
“Mouths outpacing brains sparks unnecessary trouble.”  Let’s understand the triggers. “A man arguing his strong opinion is powerful, but a woman . . .” Have your opinion valued without resistance – disarm your disparagers, outsmart your opponents, rise above the resisters. Fight or fold – you lose either way. Instead, learn how to boost your business and career with a simple, well-proven methodology. Well it’s simple to grasp, but it takes practice. Intellectually, you get it, but your lifetime habits have to be refreshed. Partner work, drill, review, only good/better feedback allowed (no critique) make this a fun and valuable session.

Lauren Bliss Kawasaki, Co-Founder of Best Living Japan
Lauren Bliss Kawasaki launched BestLivingJapan in late 2014 to help Japan-based, globally minded families find information, services and products. Her motto is “Laugh, Learn and Live!” Lauren started BestLivingJapan following a 14-year career at Amazon and Amazon Japan where she started as product manager in the toy department and grew to a vice president in retail managing over 10 categories from books to shoes. Her passion is thrilling the customer by making their lives easier. As a busy and creative mom of four children (ages 17, 15, 12 and 3) and a dog, making life easier and more fun is a priority. Prior to Amazon, Lauren worked in product development, marketing and public relations at BabyCenter, Clorox and Hill & Knowlton. Lauren is a graduate of Skidmore College and Harvard Business School.

“Exploring Launching Your Own Venture”
Are you satisfied with your present job, but not jumping out of bed anymore? Do you daydream about starting your own thing, but don’t know how or where to start? Do you talk yourself out of taking the leap and following your dream? There are no perfect plans or paths to making sure you’re making the right decision. However, I can share with you how I made the leap, how to prepare and what it will take to stick with it. A good session if you’ve always wanted to have your own biz but have not taken the first step . . . yet. 

Afternoon Workshop Facilitators & Outline (Further details to be added soon)

 Jennifer Shinkai, APAC Marketing & Communications Manager at en world group
Jennifer Shinkai is known for her energy, enthusiasm and commitment to continuous improvement for both processes and people. With more than 15 years experience working in Japan, she’s held a variety of management roles across learning and development, marketing, sales operations and sales. Jennifer is a driver of change, supporting her organisation’s development from a 25-person, privately-owned Tokyo office to an 800-person listed company connecting great people to great companies across seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region. She’s passionate about developing women’s participation in the workforce and founded LeanIn Circle for foreign working mothers in management roles in September 2014.

“Making Your Online Brand Work for You”
Everyone has a digital footprint, but what does a potential employer or customer see when they Google you? Are you presenting a consistent and authentic image online? In this session, we’ll explore how to nurture your personal brand online. Who do you help? How do you help them? With feedback from your fellow participants, you’ll create an action plan to bridge the gap between your brand goals and the reality of market perception.

Stefanie Richert, Senior Adviser at Banner Japan KK
Stefanie Richert, MA, ICFA, is a senior adviser based in Tokyo and has been with her firm, Banner Japan, since 2002. As a financial planner and investment adviser, she’s been advising expatriate and Japanese clients for more than 15 years. She assists with structuring finances to achieve set objectives and secure a solid financial future for both individuals and families. As an independent adviser, she deals with a large number of financial institutions, sharing her knowledge on numerous products and asset classes.

“Take Control of Your Financial Future”
Whether you’re self-employed or a corporate employee, this workshop will equip you with the necessary tools to develop a truly personalised plan and rise to your full financial potential! We’ll cover the four main areas of personal financial planning using structure and common sense, starting with a short survey and discussion on beliefs and habits concerning money, followed by an exercise to analyse our spending, budgeting and saving practices with a view towards future financial security. Stefanie will introduce the basic facts of investing, including investment options available while living abroad, as well as what to consider when building a diversified portfolio.

Carmela Fleury, Certified Martha Beck Life Coach & Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
After a decade as a professional snowboarder and working with Burton Snowboards, Carmela Fleury became a certified Martha Beck Life Coach and journeyed to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where she became certified as a holistic health coach. Carmela received her 110-hour YTT under the leadership of Sarah Powers, one of the founders of Yin Yoga, and is currently undergoing her training to become a certified Insight yoga teacher. Her overarching mission is to guide clients to get healthy in their own intrinsic way. She has a soft spot for working with mothers of young children and currently leads “How to Raise a Happy and Healthy Mother” workshops.

“Health Is Your Biggest Wealth”
Your body is hardwired to self-heal itself, provided you give it the right environment and nourishment to do so. What are your needs and how can you better nourish not only your body, but also your thoughts and your emotions? Come explore and fine-tune what nurtures you in your career/life and find ways to add more of it into your life.

Tanja Bach, Consultant, Trainer/Facilitator & Coach
Tanja Bach is a Tokyo-based trilingual management consultant, trainer/facilitator and coach with a passion to empower and inspire her clients to reach their full potential in multi-cultural and global environments. With a focus on leadership development, communication and individual & organizational change, she has delivered programs in many countries around the world across a variety of sectors and industries including financial services, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, IT, manufacturing, and retail.  Tanja currently consults for The Bridge Group K.K., NetExpat, Platinum Training Consultants and AMT Group K.K., delivers psychology-based virtual workouts across Asia for Mind Gym, and teaches at  Kenichi Omae Graduate School of Business.

“Rise to Your Full Potential”
Are you at a crossroads in you career, not sure of your next move? Would you like to determine a clearer career path? Tanja will help you discover what motivates you, your strengths, and how your strengths can be valuable assets to your next career transition, whether it’s a promotion in your current work, a  transition to a new field, or a completely new start as a business owner. In this workshop you will start to learn to define and exploit your true value to rise to your full potential, and live the career you dream of.

Barbara Lang, Owner of atelierfünfdrei
Barbara Lang is a self-employed graphic designer, illustrator and art teacher. She started her career in the early ’90s as an art director and instructor for media design trainees. After a decade of leading the graphic design department of a worldwide acting media company, she took the chance to establish her own studio, Atelierfünfdrei, in 2003, focusing on corporate design. With her 20 years of experience and brilliant approach, she has a vast knowledge of how to support people in developing their corporate identity. Due to her passion for bringing art and design closer to people, she’s constantly teaching and leading workshops.

“Essentials for Visually Branding Your Business”
This workshop focuses on the creative process of finding and developing the visual appearance of your business. The actual “making” is the second step. Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be and who people perceive you to be. We will explore this. Is text better than a symbol? Flyer or postcard? Facebook or website? Or all together? It all depends on you. Reflect and visualize with the help of the other workshop participants on your needs, wishes and ideas, learn some key things you should think about before starting your business and establish a corporate identity you’re passionate about for a lifetime!

Heike Geiling, Founder of Beyond Global Mindset and Cross-Cultural Competence
Heike Geiling is an intercultural communications consultant and trainer who has held leading positions in communications and marketing in a variety of industries and lead large scale projects across 27 European countries. Using her extensive experience in communications, diversity and inclusion, she trains Japanese and foreign employees in global issues, provides pragmatic and sustainable solutions to successfully maneuver in a global workplace and strategies to create value to be leveraged in a changing environment.

“The Art of Female Assertiveness”
It’s said it takes just one-tenth of a second for us to judge someone and from a first impression, so we better make sure we’re putting out the right one, both personally and professionally. From eye contact over a firm handshake to your presence in a room, from the volume of your voice over structuring your thoughts to strategies to make yourself heard, this workshop will raise your awareness for your behavior in an international setting and help you rise in your career. In a mix of lecture, discussions and practical exercises, we’ll discover common misconceptions and weaknesses, and we develop strategies to overcome them.

Lucy Barrett, Style Coach
Lucy has worked as a personal stylist since 1997 and, in 2013, qualified as a Style Coach with the Style Coaching Institute®. She is a member of the International Association of Style Coaches and has been living in Asia — in Hong Kong and Japan — since 1994. Lucy works with clients on all aspects of their physical presentation as well as working as a life coach. She believes how we look on the outside and how we feel on the inside are intrinsically linked. Lucy has worked with individuals and groups in addition to providing workshops and presentations to corporate clients, social and professional groups. Lucy has worked in Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Japan.

“The Power of Personal Style”
Personal style can seem elusive and difficult to define but is often recognizable, especially in others. We wear clothes every day in all areas of our lives. How we dress and present ourselves is a powerful form of nonverbal communication to ourselves and others. It’s also a great source of confidence. In this workshop, we’ll look at how to find your personal style and look at what you would like to say, to yourself and others, through your appearance. Do the clothes you wear work with you? We’ll look at how to begin having the clothes you wear support you in the way you want to present yourself in all areas of your life.

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On Saturday, October 4th, FEW held the 18th FEW Career Startegies Seminar (CSS) on the theme of IGNITE. CSS was a great day which inspired both thought and action, reaffirmed the fantastic community in Tokyo, and gave us a chance to learn and practice some new skills.

The day was broken into three parts where we explored the elements required to IGNITE – Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat. During the morning Fuel session, we looked at how to fuel ourselves and others through the stories we tell with our keynote speakers: Sarah Furuya, Independent Trainer and Coach, who taught us to fight our self doubt that asks, “Who me?” and reframe it with “Hell yes!”. The afternoon Oxygen session started off with Lori Henderson, Executive Director of the BCCJ, who invited us to consider the environment we want to live and work in to provide oxygen to our lives. Finally during the Heat session, Tiziana Alamprese, Marketing Manager of Fiat Chrysler Japan, taught us how to use our personal histories, feminism, and our true spirit to cultivate work we love. We also enjoyed six different workshops, two on each element: improvisation, running a small business, managing conflict, negotiating our worth, how to counter the negative inner critic, and reading balance sheets.

Thank you to all who joined and contributed as a speaker, workshop leader, or participant. Special thank you goes out to our keynote speakers and workshop leaders. We have come out inspired, enlightened and IGNITED!

18th CSS Program

FUEL – Skills, Experience, CV

Keynote speech:  “You Choose Your Fuel” with Sarah Everitt Furuya, Independent Trainer & Coach, Tokyo
So often we look outside ourselves, but it is what is inside ourselves that fuels our progress. Your personal story is your fuel and you get to chose what and how you tell your story. This keynote will explore the power of leaning into our own preferences, and what you say and how you say it. We will start to look at the way in which we fuel others and others fuel us: what happens when we create a rich environment to move forward. Sarah will explore the scientific, psychological, and the hard-to-define factor that underpin the way we understand our skills and experience. Start from where you are.

Workshop A – EXPERIENCE: ”Improvisation in Business”  with Donna Burke, CEO, Dag Music Tokyo Ltd.
In this workshop, Donna used improvisation games to help us to practice subtle behaviours that are useful in various aspects of business.

Workshop B – SKILLS: ”What Do You Say When You Talk to Yourself?”  with Anne Good, President, Eureka! Unleash the Power Within
What’s the conversation like inside your head? We talk to ourselves constantly. It can be positive or negative, loving or critical. Sometimes we go over what has happened in the past, or worry about what is going to happen in the future, we put ourselves down or mentally beat ourselves up. Our whole way of being, acting and feeling is influenced by how we think and talk about ourselves.

OXYGEN – Environment, Community, Exchange, Sharing

Keynote speech: ”Future Business Communities: Values, Practice, Hope” with Lori Henderson MBE, Executive Director, British Chamber of Commerce Japan
To ignite our communities and our careers we need to create and sustain a supportive, sharing and diverse environment, our oxygen. How do you create, nurture, and sustain this kind of environment? How can we build a vibrant community in which we and others can ignitie our careers?

Workshop C – NEGOTIATION:  “Negotiating Strategies for Women” w/ Elizabeth Handover, Asia Partner Lumina Learning; Co-founder, Women’s Leadership Development Centre, Tokyo
It has been well documented that women find themselves at a disadvantage in negotiations. In this interactive workshop we will learn about why women generally fear the negotiating process, explore the common behaviours that sabotage us, and practice some key points for building negotiating confidence.

Workshop D -PRESENTATION SKILLS: “Telling Your Story” w/ Helen Iwata, Communications Skills Trainer and Founder Sasuga! Communications
“Whether we’re employees pitching colleagues on a new idea, entrepreneurs enticing funders to invest, or parents and teachers cajoling children to study, we spend our days trying to move others. Like it or not, we’re all in sales now.” From To Sell Is Human by Daniel Pink

How confident are you about getting people interested in what you’re talking about? How skilled are you at bringing them around to your way of thinking and getting them to take action without manipulating them?

In this fast-paced workshop, Helen will introduce a simple technique to help you engage and convince people – whether it’s your colleagues, boss, or clients, your family, friends, or members of your community. You will also have the opportunity to practice the technique and find out how it can work best for you.

HEAT – Personal engagement, Energy Management, Sustainability, Health

Keynote speech:   “Managing your resources intelligently and with passion” w/ Tiziana Alamprese, Marketing Director, Fiat Chrysler Japan
To ignite our careers, we need to keep ourselves warm. We need to understand how to nuture ourselves physically, emotionally, and financially. The real world is unpredictable and complex and to maintain our energy levels, we also need resilience. Tiziana Alamprese will draw on examples from her career as Marketing Director at Fiat Chrylser will discuss how to manage our personal resources, both known and unknown to further our careers and find fulfilment in a world that is changing.

Workshop E – FINANCES:   ”How to Read a Balance Sheet” w/ Yoko Kudo, Senior Principal, Ernst & Young ShinNihon
Understanding how money moves in a company is central to making informed and smart choices about both investment and career. This workshop will walk us through the basics of understanding a balance sheet, and a foundation for deepening our skill and confidence with money.

Workshop F – MANAGING RESOURCES:  w/ Melanie Uematsu, Fashion Designer and Founder, Sewing Circle & Sophie Wang, Director, Latitude People K.K.
The key to a successful career is managing our personal resources such as time, money, health, and relationships. Two entrepreneurs will share a case study from their own experience and participants will come up with balanced solutions. We will also practice some writing skills.

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