Maia Ito

Maia Ito joins U.S.-Japan Council as a Manager of Programs and Member Engagement based in Washington, D.C. Her portfolio covers key leadership development programs including the Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD), Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), and Advanced Leaders Collective (ALC).

Prior to joining USJC, Maia served in both the legislative and executive branches. She first joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz’s 2022 campaign in Honolulu, HI and later worked in the senator’s Washington, D.C. office, where she provided constituent services and contributed across operational roles. Most recently, she served as an Advance Associate at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she helped plan travel and engagements supporting former U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie Su.

After visiting Japan in 2016, Maia was inspired to reconnect with cultural heritage and continued to delve into Japanese language while studying abroad during college. She remains deeply moved by the selfless generosity and local hospitality shown to her during her time overseas—experiences that now fuel her commitment to building genuine people-to-people relationships. Maia is honored to join the U.S.-Japan Council, where she looks forward to contributing to a global network of leaders dedicated to strengthening bilateral ties through community.