Sara Hollingshead

Sara Hollingshead is the Coordinator of Member Engagement at the U.S.-Japan Council, based in Washington, D.C. Originally from Michigan, she graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in International Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology.

Before joining USJC, Sara deepened her commitment to nuclear disarmament beginning with her participation in the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security, followed by an internship with Peace Boat U.S. She later was selected as a Youth Representative at the 3rd Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations in March 2025 where she engaged in high-level discussions on global security and arms control. Building on this foundation, she completed fellowships with Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation and with ReThink Media publishing pieces on nuclear-affected communities. As a descendant of Hibakusha (Atomic bomb survivors), Sara remains deeply committed to advancing nuclear abolition and promoting a more peaceful and secure world.

In addition to her disarmament work, she is passionate about strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through international exchange and cultural diplomacy. She has participated in cultural exchange programs in Wakayama, Japan with the Center for International Exchange and in Makhanda, South Africa through the University of Michigan’s Global Scholars Program. Sara is also an active member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), supporting its mission of civil rights, community advocacy, and cross-cultural understanding.