As a Program Manager at the U.S.-Japan Council, I have been leading the planning and execution of the Annual Conference. This flagship event brings together 650-750 leaders from various sectors to foster and strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. I have successfully secured grants, negotiated contracts, coordinated logistics, localized and translated materials, and built relationships with key stakeholders, such as high-level speakers from the governments and corporations of both countries. My work supports the mission of the U.S.-Japan Council to promote people-to-people connections and mutual understanding between the two nations.I am a bilingual and bicultural professional with an MA in TESOL and a certification in Teaching of Writing. Before joining the U.S.-Japan Council, I was a lecturer at Eastern Washington University where I taught rhetoric and composition as well as developmental writing to ESL and first-gen college students. I designed and instructed a curriculum emphasizing practical and technical writing to develop career competencies, which became a grant project that allowed me to collaboratively work with other faculty and staff. I value language learning and exposure to different cultures, and I strive to make a positive impact and be a resource for others through my work and scholarship.