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Hi, Yui here!

I'm a Japanese-born immigrant living part-time in Washington D.C. My mother raised my two brothers and me in the Midwest. Even as a young child, I saw grave disparities in my own community and I couldn't understand why a single mother had to work three jobs, why some children had to worry about their next meals, or why rent was so expensive for our 2-bedroom apartment. These questions led me to find my passion for supporting and uplifting underserved and underrepresented communities.

 

I've had the great privilege of traveling and working abroad, witnessing firsthand how different lives are across the globe. Through the power of social policy, I hope to use my expertise, passion, and commitment to get closer to achieving equity for all— regardless of race, gender, or class.

Image of Yui and her two brothers as children
Image of a teacher and her students in rural Cambodia

Leadership & Involvement

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  • The Fulbright Program (mentor for new scholars)

    • ​The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. government and designed to forge lasting connections between the United States and other countries, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals.

  • The Lake Clinic (honorary board member)

    • ​An NGO providing free healthcare services and community programs, such as clean water and sanitation, to the people living on or around the Tonle Sap

  • Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Corporate Coalition (Past member)

    • A coalition of business and nonprofit leaders from the city of Chicago addressing the most pressing issues of the city with the Mayor's Office to find solutions, funding and organizations to implement changes.

  • Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s City Tech Collaborative – Connect Chicago (Past technology advisory council member)

    • A coalition of tech leaders and the Mayor's office working together to make Chicago the most digitally skilled city in the U.S.​

  • Youth Guidance (Past associate board member)

    • A Chicago-born, international NGO that aims to serve at-risk youth by providing mental health and mentoring services to help young people succeed in school and in life. Youth Guidance serves the most critical youth across the country and internationally, and is supported by Former President and First Lady of the United States, Barack and Michelle Obama.

  • Light Reading’s Women in Comms (Past board of advisors)

A group of youth

Personal Accomplishments

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  • Mentored 300+ students in underserved communities by helping them apply for higher education and/or their first job, participate in civic engagements and develop future goals

  • Developed and launched a workforce development program in Chicago with an international nonprofit for opportunity youth and at-risk youth to develop skills for a sustainable career

  • Played a pivotal role in increasing access to connectivity and digital skills for Chicagoans in the most underserved areas of the city (south and southwest side)

  • Co-launched “Women in Comms,” a nonprofit aimed at supporting, helping, and mentoring women in STEM fields with Light Reading, a media outlet

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