I've had a full and varied life, professionally, personally, culturally, and in the inner landscape of my learning and growing. I've worked abroad, in corporate and educational settings, raised a family, provided eldercare over decades, and experienced losses. Since childhood, I’ve traveled and been shaped by my family history of having roots in Okinawa (then US territory), Japan, and the US. Because of my own life story, I’m always aware of the multitude of ways in which personal backgrounds, lived experiences, culture, and environments shape our identities and personal realities.

I’m fortunate to always have had careers helping, guiding, and supporting people in their life endeavors and career pursuits. In 2019, I retired from higher education, and became a certified life coach (CPCC, ACC), fulfilling a longtime goal. As I had been practicing meditation for about 15 years by then, I also became certified to teach mindfulness meditation.