Ikigai & Healthcare: Purpose as a Path for Longevity & Leadership

USJC Member Sam Ushio
Founder of Ikigai Lab

Sam Ushio is the founder of Ikigai Lab, a social enterprise dedicated to human sustainability and societal impact. Sam sits at the intersection of human flourishing and impact investing, focusing on purpose-driven ecosystems that improve outcomes for all stakeholders, including the shareholder. As the world’s first Chief Ikigai Officer, Sam brings nearly two decades of global asset management experience and over 10,000 hours of ikigai practice to unlock growth, development, and societal value.

Ikigai Lab blends wisdom with science to deliver positive outcomes. Strengths-based positive psychology, systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and holistic leadership anchor the methodology for individuals, teams, and organizations. Ikigai is a Japanese concept interpreted as “your reason for being,” and it is scientifically linked to longevity, creativity, productivity, and happiness.

Prior to founding Ikigai Lab, Sam was Director, Practice Management at Russell Investments where he led the award-winning, global team that coached approximately 1,000 financial advisors annually. He has an MBA from the University of Washington, holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska in marketing and finance with a psychology emphasis. Sam serves as Council Leader and Lead, Mental Wellness Affinity Group at the U.S.-Japan Council, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska, the birthplace of strengths-based positive psychology.