BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is in charge of the leadership and direction of The Yamashita Foundation of Hawai`i (TYFH). The Board of Directors is composed of experienced leaders from the fields of business, academia, government, marketing, and counseling. The Board of Directors is committed to serving the members and stakeholders of TYFH while working towards a brighter future for the people and communities across Hawai`i.
EMILY
YAMASHITA
CO-FOUNDER, President
Emily Yamashita is a fourth generation Japanese American who was born and raised in Manoa Valley in Honolulu. Emily is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts and a Clinical Professional Counselor in Nevada who specializes in expressive therapies and is also a Registered Yoga Teacher. Currently, Emily works as the Director of Clinical Services at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. Previously, Emily served on the executive board for the Dancers Choreographers Alliance Club at New York University and volunteered for Children and Youth Day in Honolulu through Kalihi-Palama Health Center. Her favorite place is the beach, her favorite Hawaiian snack is Liliha Bakery’s cocoa puffs, and her favorite leisure activity is anything related to true crime. Emily attended UH Lab School and is a proud alumna of Punahou School, New York University, and Lesley University.
Jeffrey
YAMASHITa,Ph.D.
CO-FOUNDER, Vice President
Born and raised in Honolulu, Jeffrey T. Yamashita, Ph.D. is a fourth generation Japanese American. Jeffrey is an academic and an investor. Jeffrey previously served on community nonprofit Boards such as the Japanese American Citizens League, Berkeley Chapter and the Nichi Bei Foundation in San Francisco. An award winning instructor and published academic, Jeffrey brings academic leadership and organizational skills to the Board of Directors of TYFH. Jeffrey is a graduate of `Iolani School. He received his undergraduate degrees in History and American Studies from Macalester College and earned his Masters and Doctorate in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.
SAORI
YAMASHITA
CO-FOUNDER, Secretary
Saori Yamashita, a fourth generation Japanese American, was born in Japan and raised in Hawai`i. Currently serving as a marketing specialist at Turner Construction Company in Northern California and working as a freelance marketing designer for PopSockets, she brings a wealth of expertise to both roles. Saori holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with minors in Technology, Arts, and Media (TAM) and Art History. Committed to continuous learning and professional development, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Communication Management with a focus on Marketing Communication at the University of Denver.
alex
tagawa
CO-FOUNDER, Treasurer
Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alex Tagawa is a fourth generation Japanese American. Alex is a Director at McKesson Corporation. Previously, Alex served as the President of the Japanese American Citizens League, Berkeley Chapter and co-President of the Junior Young Buddhist Association (YBA). Alex is excited to extend her leadership and corporate knowledge to the Board of Directors of TYFH. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Asian American Studies and has an MBA from Johnson at Cornell University.
