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Welcome to GOLD's (Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity) E-Newsletter
Welcome to GOLD's e-newsletter. We thank you for your interest in GOLD's initiatives and mission to "build bridges" across the Pacific.
GOLD was developed to guide, inspire and strengthen the training and presence of global women leaders in the 21st century global work force.
Following the success of our inaugural symposium in Los Angeles, this newsletter is our next step to continue building bridges across the Pacific.
In this first newsletter, you will find information about the symposium, GOLD's next program, and ongoing ways you can continue to build bridges.
GOLD will continue to provide information and programs to enable you to pursue a leadership position in your own businesses and organizations and develop ongoing relationships with the U.S. and Japan. We hope that GOLD's ongoing initiatives will help inspire you to be a bridge for your company, business, organization, college or university. We encourage you to reach out to others to participate.
Thank you again for your commitment to building bridges across the Pacific!
Hiroko Tatebe
Founder, Executive Director, GOLD |
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VIP Reception Kicks-Off Symposium Featuring Consul General of Japan
GOLD's corporate sponsors, speakers, panelists, and attendees participated in a VIP reception to kick off the symposium.
Guests were treated to inspiring speeches from the Consul General of Japan, Kazuo Kodama and Mitsu Kimata, CEO of JKSK - Empowering Women Empowering Society, Japan. Both spoke of the pioneering efforts of GOLD and the importance of women's leadership and diversity in the 21st Century. |
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21st Century Women Leaders: Building Bridges Across the Pacific
GOLD Symposium A Success! 
Thank you to everyone who participated in our inaugural symposium in Los Angeles on March 22, 2007 at The New Otani Hotel and Garden.
Over 200 women (and men!) participated in the day-long symposium. Following full day of inspiring speakers and panelists, attendees signed a bridge-building poster to express their commitment demonstrating a testament to the importance of GOLD's ongoing initiatives.
The symposium offered attendees a day of educational programs, leadership seminars and keynote speakers addressing "bridge building" from three points of view: Leadership, Diversity and Culture, and Business/Economic Opportunities.
The symposium featured accomplished leaders in all areas of business, academia and non-profit. Speakers and panelists included: Sumiko Iwao, Ph.D., Social Psychologist, Professor Emeritus Keio University; Debbie Howard, President, Japan Market Resource Network, Chair and past President, The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan; Cathleen Benko, high technology industry leader, Deloitte Consulting, National Managing Director, Initiative For the Retention and Advancement of Women, Deloitte & Touche USA, LLP; Patty DeDominic, Entrepreneur, Founder, PDQ Careers Group of Companies; Tracey C. Doi, Group Vice President and CFO, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.; Irene Hirano, President & Chief Executive Officer, Japanese American National Museum; Yuko Kaifu, Former Consul, Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles.
Program participants, speakers, panelists and sponsors spent a day of networking, sharing ideas, learning and growing.
It was amazing to see everyone meeting each other, talking and sharing during the breaks, lunch and networking reception at the end of the day. The speakers and panelists inspired the participants and encouraged networking and outreach.
New connections were made in Los Angeles and bridges are being built.
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 Symposium Participants Evaluate Program
Symposium participants were asked to evaluate the symposium including speakers, panelists and breakout sessions. Participants were asked to rate aspects of the Symposium using a scale of 1 to 5 - with 5 being excellent.
GOLD is pleased to report that participants felt that the GOLD Symposium met their expectations with an average score of 4.56. For value of the symposium versus cost the average score was 4.59. Asked to evaluate the event, 100% of the evaluation participants noted they would recommend the Symposium to a colleague.
Symposium attendees from both the U.S. and Japan felt their day was well spent at the event. Comments from participants included "Excellent Speakers", "Inspiring", and "Perfect!" Vivian Shimoyama, president, Breakthru Unlimited, said "(the Symposium) was clearly a way to start a dialogue and get people to continue their work together." Tomoko Yamaguchi MD, Ph.D., vice chair, Minami Yachimata Mental Hospital, Japan, felt that the "sessions were well organized, diverse and well covered in terms of transpacific business relations."
Mistress of ceremonies, Tritia Toyota shared, "Hiroko Tatebe's vision and dedication to building bridges with the U.S. and Japan through women's leadership is an inspiration to all of us. I am proud to be a part of this important event and encourage each attendee to continue participating and sharing Hiroko's vision with others."
Diversity, inclusion and bridging were major themes accomplished at the Symposium. According to Price M. Cobbs, M.D., president and CEO, Pacific Management Systems, "the vision of Hiroko Tatebe resulted in a groundbreaking GOLD Symposium in Los Angeles. This partnership of women from Japan and America will become a powerful force for diversity and inclusion in both countries." |
| What's Next
GOLD will continue to develop programs and opportunities for you.
Some plans include:
- Developing a GOLD online community where you can exchange ideas and information
- Develop regular opportunities to share ideas, network and build bridges
- Creating a mentoring program through this newsletter
- Creating networking opportunities through this newsletter
If you have specific thoughts, ideas or needs that GOLD can develop or accomplish, email us at info@goldleaders.org |
| Upcoming GOLD Program
Leadership Development Study Tour 
Partnering with LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifc's, Inc.), GOLD will hold a Leadership Study Tour in August 2007. This study tour will bring graduate students from Japan to the US for a five-day intensive program.
GOLD and LEAP hope this study tour will enable young women to learn the importance of US and Japan relations and will take their knowledge and share and inspire others to build bridges. | |
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| Featured Speaker
Debbie Howard
President, Japan Market Resource Network
(JMRN)
Debbie Howard traveled from Japan to speak at the inaugural Symposium in March. JMRN is a Tokyo-based market research firm that advises multinational companies on their marketing strategies in both trade and consumer research in Japan. Debbie has lived and worked in Japan for 21 years.
Debbie has addressed marketing and marketing research audiences in the US, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand. She is the first woman to be selected President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), and currently serves as its Chair.
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Be A Mentor, Find a Mentor
One of GOLD's symposium's break-out sessions focused on the importance of mentors. Whether that means you are a mentor, or you are interested in being mentored, it can be a tool that helps all of us improve our skills, abilities and broadens our opportunities.
One of the greatest "bridges" we as women (and men) can build is through a solid mentoring program.
Following the symposium, many of us are "Called to Action" to do something. GOLD's first initiatives through this newsletter is to develop a mentoring program.
In subesequen issues, we will feature a potential mentor and a potential mentee.
As a potential mentor, we will include your name, brief bio, company, background, interests, and contact information for others to contact you.
As a potential mentee, we will also include your name, brief bio, areas of interest and the type of mentor you are interested in meeting.
If you are interested in participating, please send us an email at info@goldleaders.org. Please include your contact information so we may contact you to include you in our next issue!
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GOLD Thanks its Corporate Sponsors
Thank you to all the corporate sponsors who, through their generosity, helped to make the inaugural symposium a success.
GOLD would like to thank the following sponsors:
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