PROFILE

Wakana leads LinkedIn’s Japan business which includes Talent solutions, Learning and Marketing solutions of the world’s largest online professional network since March 2023. Prior to LinkedIn, she managed Google's Ad sales for strategic accounts, creating innovative digital strategy & solutions for
Japanese partners. She started her career in management consulting, and later managed the Lancome brand as a Marketing Manager in L'Oreal. Following the 3.11 Earthquake, she joined the National Diet of Japan Fukushima Nuclear Investigation Commission to lead the International Affairs. After she ran Change Management at GlaxoSmithkline Japan, she joined Google in 2014. She has a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Harvard Business School (Class of 2003). She is also a certified Coach, President of Harvard Business School Club of Japan, as well as Senior Advisor for Georgetown University Alumni Club of Japan. She grew up in Tokyo, Kobe, Jakarta, studied and worked in the US, Japan, and France. She is a passionate traveler, dancer and mom of 2 children.