EXIM President & Chair Reta Jo Lewis, the first African American woman and the second woman to hold this prestigious leadership position at Export-Import Bank of the U.S. in its 90-year history, shares her impressive accomplishments, inspiring career journey and valuable advice for the next generation of leaders.

Speakers share their career journeys and the ways they navigate challenges and uncertainty with resilience, offering powerful and deeply relatable insights on balancing leadership roles as women in the workplace and as mothers.

Speakers from companies excelling in women’s empowerment and DEI share valuable insights into their respective journeys, shedding light on both successful practices and challenges encountered along the way, while also examining the strategies and experiences shaping the future of gender equality in the corporate landscape.

Speakers explore what it means to be an effective leader in the 21st century, and the necessary skills and qualities for a leader to thrive in today’s work environment.

Speakers discuss the new hybrid working environment and the opportunities and challenges of supporting women in their path to leadership positions in the U.S. and Japan.

Led by Sara Laschever, renowned co-author of Women Don’t Ask, this workshop enhanced participants’ negotiation skills through a combination of lectures, interactive exercises, and group discussions. Participants explored effective communication techniques and negotiation strategies in a small group setting.

Individuals endowed with high emotional intelligence not only excel individually but also flourish within teams and leadership roles. Morgan Stanley’s Senior Advisor and former Chief Risk Officer Keishi Hotsuki explores this subject with a focus on six core areas—communication, decision making, independent thinking, curiosity, resilience and empathy—offering participants the opportunity to explore a variety of emotional intelligence topics and gain practical advice on enhancing their skills.

Led by communications expert Christine Clapp, this first workshop held under the U.S.-Japan Women Leaders Initiative was designed to provide valuable strategies and techniques needed for effective communication at the workplace. Followed by a sushi and wine networking reception.

The Group Mentoring Program is designed to focus on the acceleration of the professional development of executive women in the U.S.-Japan space. Through the Group Mentoring Program, participants have the opportunity to learn together from mentors who will foster collaboration and community among the mentees while imparting skills and knowledge that will facilitate opportunities for their professional advancement.

Japan Society hosted a delegation of nine mid-career female Japanese professionals from leading Japanese corporations, all engaged in women’s empowerment and diversity initiatives in Japan. The delegation visited the United States, focusing on New York and Washington D.C. The visit aimed to learn about women’s empowerment and diversity in the United States, establish a network of stakeholders involved in the development of female leaders in both Japan and the United States, and gain valuable knowledge to contribute to the advancement of women’s empowerment in Japan.

A delegation of Japanese female professionals, part of Asia Society Policy Institute’s initiative titled “Building Trade Ties with Japan’s Emerging Female Leaders,” visited Japan Society to meet with the President & CEO to learn about Japan Society’s mission and activities, and discuss the importance of women’s empowerment in Japan and the United States.

A group of women leaders from Japan, headed by U.S.-Japan Women Leaders Initiative Council Member Yoko Otani, met privately with Japan Society President & CEO Joshua W. Walker and Keishi Hotsuki, Chief Risk Officer at Morgan Stanley and Japan Society Board Member, who shared his personal and professional experiences.