Leading Diversity Symposium Devoted to United States and Japan Collaboration Focuses on Innovation

Internationally Renowned Speakers to Share Insights


LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity (GOLD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing global women leaders across the Pacific, announces its Diversity Symposium at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City. Celebrating the fifth GOLD symposium this year, the event will be themed "Reflect – Renew - Reinvent - and Driving Innovation through Inclusion."

"We chose this year's theme because we believe that in order for businesses to be successful in today's global environment, companies must embrace inclusive leadership that builds collaborative relationships with employees, customers and society," shared GOLD founder and social entrepreneur, Hiroko Tatebe. "The global economic crisis has impacted the way organizations run their businesses and innovate. To unleash the full potential of diversity to succeed in business in the 21st century, organizations must create a culture of inclusion where people of all backgrounds are empowered to drive innovation."

The GOLD symposium takes place alternatively between Tokyo and Los Angeles every 18 months, and has occurred since 2007. The success of the symposium is built upon a desire and need to strengthen business relationships between the U.S. and Japan. The symposium is one of the few events that brings together business leaders from both Japan and the United States and offers a unique opportunity for participants. Given a renewed importance placed on the international relationship by newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Barak Obama, the symposium will offer participants an opportunity to network, collaborate with colleagues and hear from innovative international speakers.

This year, the GOLD symposium will bring together thought leaders from Union Bank, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi-UFJ, Ltd., McKinsey & Company, Johnson & Johnson, Mattel, Inc., Cisco and several other global organizations and companies to share experiences and best practices. Select internationally renowned presenters include:

  • Honorable Aida M. Alvarez, former administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration and member of President Clinton's cabinet;
  • Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa, former chairman of the Independent Investigation of the Japan Fukushima Nuclear Accident Commission;
  • Toshihiro Nakamura, co-founder and CEO of Kopernik, the technology marketplace for the developing world and
  • Deborah DeHaas, Vice Chairman and Chief Inclusion Officer of Deloitte LLP.

Visit the Gold website for a complete list of presenters.

According to Tatebe, "We continue to develop and strengthen a bridge across the Pacific so that the Japanese and Americans can learn from each other."

Prior to founding GOLD, Tatebe was Director, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank of California (DKBCAL). During her tenure at DKBCAL she was the first and only woman on the Board of Directors. She was responsible for complete financial, operations and administrative management, and successfully led professional teams with diverse technical and cultural backgrounds.

Supporting organizations for the symposium include the U.S. Japan Council, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics Inc., Japan America Society of Southern California, International Society of Diversity & Inclusion Professionals and GEWEL (Global/Engagement/Wellbeing/Excellent/Leadership).

The event will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 in Century City. Space is still available for participants to interact with American and Japanese businesses, academia and non-profit leaders to discuss inclusive solutions that leverage the talents of a diverse workforce at the symposium. For more information, please visit www.goldleaders.org.

For More Information Contact:

Michelle Suzuki, MSC-PR

310-444-7115

michelle@msc-pr.com

About Gold

The Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity (GOLD) focuses on developing global women leaders.  GOLD will foster professional and leadership growth of current and future business and professional women by providing educational, inspirational and motivational activities and events that build "leadership bridges across the Pacific."

GOLD is a project of Community Partners (CP). CP is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization which helps social entrepreneurs and visionary leaders cultivate innovative ideas and succeed as agents of change.

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