International Women’s Day Prelude - Effecting Change from Within: Fostering Tech Innovation Through Diversity
📢Join us online here
🎆Welcome back to our Global Women Entrepreneur Salon series, proudly co-hosted by EY and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government!
📣Join us for the IWD special edition —“Effecting Change from Within: Fostering Tech Innovation Through Diversity”—where we celebrate women driving tech innovation and building inclusive cultures. Hear exclusive insights from our influential industry leaders across the US and Japan, each bringing diverse perspectives and experiences!
Engage in dynamic discussions on leading collaborative innovation and inspiring the next generation of female tech innovators through strong role models and mentorship networks.
Follow us on Instagram 👉 @gwes_global for exclusive updates, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes content designed to empower your entrepreneurial journey.
Agenda
17:15 ET - Check-in
17:30-18:00 ET Keynote + Q&A
Edwina Fitzmaurice
Global Innovation Market Activation Leader at EY
18:00-18:45 ET Panel Discussion + Q&A
Mena Sato Kato
Microsoft's Senior Director for Japan at Xbox
Samantha Lee
Chief of Staff at Discover Global Network
Sharon Chen
Senior Manager at EY Emerging Tech Ecosystem Strategy
Makiko Clapper
Founder & CEO at LA STEEM LLC
Speakers
Edwina Fitzmaurice
Global Innovation Market Activation Leader at EY
Edwina is responsible for customer success and products for Client Technology globally. She leads a network of customer success technology hubs across EMEIA, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. She works with EY’s largest accounts on their technology strategies and implementing innovative solutions to help transform their business.
Edwina is on the board of Women in Innovation and is the chair of the Governance Committee. She is a mentor with TechStars in Los Angeles and is an active member of the G100 and World50 business community of C-suite executives. In addition, she is the founder of the EY Educating Girls initiative, which has helped put 30 girls from an orphanage in India through high school and college.
Edwina holds a Computer Science degree and Master’s degree from Trinity College Dublin and has attended the Harvard Business School, the London Business School and INSEAD in Paris for executive education in strategic leadership.
Mena Sato Kato
Microsoft's Senior Director for Japan at Xbox
Mena Sato Kato is a seasoned executive in the gaming industry, currently serving as Microsoft's Senior Director for Japan at Xbox. She joined Microsoft in July 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her tenure at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). At SIE, Kato held leadership roles for eight years, including Vice President of Business Development and later Vice President of Mobile Business. In her current role at Xbox, Kato is responsible for leading partnership efforts to support Japanese partners globally, aiming to unlock new experiences in the gaming industry. Kato's extensive experience and leadership are expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Xbox's presence and partnerships within the Japanese gaming market.
Samantha Lee
Chief of Staff at Discover Global Network
Samantha Lee is a Chief of Staff at Discover Global Network, a business that moves $600 billion of volume per year. She leads the strategic direction of business operations and has delivered banking and payment services to over 100M individuals across the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Samantha is a sought-after voice in the sector, frequently invited to speak on podcasts, global conferences, and startup events including Money 20/20, IFX Expo, 1871 (Chicago’s startup innovation hub), and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Samantha is involved in angel investor groups and is also on the associate board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Finally, she has a degree from the University of Cambridge where she was a Cambridge Trust Scholar.
Sharon Chen
Senior Manager at EY Emerging Tech Ecosystem Strategy
Sharon leads strategy for EY's global emerging tech ecosystem, where she curates relationships with emerging technology firms and their investors, on behalf of EY and clients. She focuses on driving collaboration between startups, corporates, ultimately to inspire, create, and commercialise technological innovation. Prior to this role, she was a founding member of EY’s global FinTech team, where she advised FinTechs as they grew and scaled, and supported financial institutions to invest, acquire and partner with FinTechs. She also led year one of Changing the Face of UK FinTech, a research initiative on gender diversity, and was a founding editor and co-host for the EY FinTech Beyond Borders podcast. Sharon is a thought leader and international speaker on emerging tech and ecosystem development, as well as frequent mentor to young founders, including through Techstars Accelerator.
Makiko Clapper
Founder & CEO at LA STEEM LLC
After graduating with a Computer Science degree, worked in Silicon Valley as a senior engineer for 7 years. Subsequently, served as IT Vice President at a financial institution in Boston for 10 years. In 2004, relocated to Japan and worked as the Head of the Technology Department in few foreign financial institutions. In January of 2019, established a company LA STEEM LLC offering business ＆IT consulting services, seminars on career design, and career coaching.
🎟️Reserve your spot now to be part of a transformative conversation shaping the future of women in business.
In-Person Pass now available for attendees in Tokyo who would like to network in person!
🌏The Global Women Entrepreneurs Salon in Tokyo serves as a central hub for women entrepreneurs and supporters in the startup and innovation ecosystem. By emphasizing English in business communications, we aim to foster global connections and inspire collaboration among innovators worldwide.
Stay tuned for a series of monthly gatherings and exclusive networking events!
Exciting Themes Ahead: Salon Schedule
🌐 Get ready for a groundbreaking finale! Join us for the Season 1 Finale — “Global Innovations in Femtech: Shaping the Future of Women's Wellness”. Discover the latest breakthroughs and explore how cutting-edge technologies are transforming women's health and empowering wellness worldwide.
📍 Virtual & In-Person at Shibuya Sakura Stage
February 28th, 2025
18:30 – 20:00 JST
🎟️Reserve your spot now at https://lu.ma/sff1n9yy
Venue Entry Instructions
１．Please visit Office EV hall (1F) from Hibiya Mitsui Tower office entrance
Please enter the building from the office entrance (Hibiya-Dori Street) on the 1st floor. Please take the elevator to the 9F and then visit EY general reception at 10F by escalator.
※Please note that the entrance from the shopping mall is unavailable.
２．To access Venue (EY The Hub) rooms from EY general reception (10F)
Please present the Luma QR code at EY general reception. After checking in, you will receive your visitor pass for the venue.
Then, please take the elevator to the 21F.