The TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program had a panel discussion at the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center, located within the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Los Angeles during the 11 days of their program in the United States in August. The event, which was titled “Bridging Cultures: Success Stories and Leadership Across Borders,” highlighted a panel of members of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), including USJC Associate and TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative Arianna Santiago (Haygarth), USJC Associate Matt Weisbly (Japanese American Citizens League), Council Leader and Former Senior Vice President of Content, Education and Inclusion of Disney Branded Television Vicki Ariyasu, and USJC Senior Membership Engagement and Regional Coordinator Lauren Matsumoto. The discussion provided insights for the 20 high school participants of the program, who were eager to learn lessons on leadership, personal and professional development and cultural exchange.
The panel began with each speaker sharing their personal leadership journeys, exploring how their Japanese American identities and/or passion for Japan have shaped their paths. Ms. Santiago highlighted how her deep connection to Japanese culture influenced her approach to global marketing strategies in her current professional role. Mr. Weisbly, who grew up with limited access to a Japanese American community, talked about organizations such as Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), where he currently works, for connecting him to mentors and opportunities that fostered his leadership skills. Ms. Ariyasu, who has led initiatives in the entertainment industry, reflected on how her cultural heritage and family history shaped her approach to leadership and her commitment to authentic representation.
The panelists emphasized the importance of mentorship and networking. Ms. Santiago spoke passionately about the mentors who guided her through various industry transitions, while Mr. Weisbly shared how mentorship helped him navigate the broader Japanese American community. Ms. Ariyasu encouraged students to actively seek out mentors and emphasized the significance of building meaningful connections. The panelists shared their thoughts on critical skills such as active listening, problem-solving and the importance of understanding different cultural perspectives.
The panel discussion concluded with advice for the TOMODACHI generation. The speakers encouraged the students to be proactive in their communities, find their passions and build networks that could support their leadership journeys. The panelists encouraged the students to embrace opportunities. The panelists encouraged students to be unafraid to lead from behind when necessary and reminded them to stay connected with organizations like USJC to continue their leadership development.
The event and the discussion was a celebration of cross-cultural leadership and the impact of bridging Japan and the United States. The TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program participants left with a sense of purpose, inspired by the stories and wisdom shared by the USJC members.