HIROKO OKAMI

Senior Consultant, Japan

Hiroko Okami joined Brakeley in 2003 and has worked in Japan for Brakeley international clients including the Global Leadership Foundation, Hiroshima International School and SeBod, the International Mental Health Organistion. Currently she is working for the International Rice Research Institute in the Phillipines. She has extensive experience in domestic market-entry and research for both Japanese and foreign organisations. Born and raised in Tokyo, she holds a degree from University of the Sacred Heart where, on graduating, she became active in the alumnae association holding the position of Secretary for 3 years before her term of office expired due to her husband’s transfer to Athens, Greece where she lived for 3 years.

Before joining Brakeley, Hiroko worked for Insights in Action Inc., a U.S. based consulting firm for non-profit organisations, as the Tokyo Representative where she provided consulting for international non-profit organisations trying to establish and develop in Japan. She guided the translation and interpretation of clients’ business proposals, researching and establishing relationships with Japanese non-profit organisations and companies. She has provided freelance consulting and translating to various international projects like the US Asia Commercial Development Corporation, Tsubokawa Associates on the Belgian Walloon Regional Japanese capital investment project, and the securities firm Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette of New York.

With her experience in setting-up non-profit organisations she took the role of Executive Director of Children’s Express Japan in 2002. Prior to this position she helped launch Children’s Express Japan in 2000 with the financial help of US based Children’s Express Worldwide. However, due to financial difficulties the organisation folded in 2001. Through her determination she re-launched the organisation as a totally independent NPO in Japan staffed entirely by volunteers. The organisation produces stories by youth journalists (8-18) to adult print, broadcast, and interactive media.

Hiroko has been involved with Refugees International Japan, a sister organisation to the Washington DC based Refugees International, for over 25 years, serving on the Executive Board as Special Advisor and Special Project Director. With a band of volunteers under her supervision she was able to organise benefit concerts with such renowned musicians as Isaac Stern, Yo-yo Ma and Emanual Ax and other fundraising events. She has also served the Japanese PR and Publicity Director.  She has also sat on the Board of Trustees and acted as the Tokyo Representative for Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development, where she was coordinating with Japanese funding organisations and other NGOs and training young staff how to write proposals and raise funds.