Executive Development Institute (EDI) announced on Friday, February 13 that its Board of Directors appointed Marci Nakano as EDI’s executive director. EDI is the only Pacific Northwest non-profit organization that focuses on leadership training for multiethnic professionals. Nakano will transition to Executive Director on March 1, 2015. EDI’s current Executive Director, Alan Sugiyama, is retiring on February 28, 2015 for health reasons and will remain connected to EDI as Executive Director Emeritus. In this new role, he will mentor and transition Nakano to her new role and continue to represent EDI in the community.
“I am appreciative to the Board and Al for their trust, confidence, and support as I take on this new role,” Nakano said. “As an EDI alumna, I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization that has influenced my own leadership journey and look forward to continuing to strengthen and grow EDI’s programs.”
Nakano is currently the Director of Programs and Events for EDI and has been with the organization for nine years. She is a graduate of EDI’s 2005 Leadership Discovery program. Prior to EDI, Nakano was a manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP, responsible for financial statement and internal control audits for manufacturing, construction, and utility companies.
“The EDI Board of Directors is pleased that Marci has accepted the Executive Director position,” said Mae Numata, co-chair EDI Board of Directors and Class of 1994. “She has the ability, knowledge, experience, and most of all the passion to lead EDI. It is special to us that we are able to promote an alumna of our Leadership Discovery Program. We are also pleased that Al has accepted the Executive Director Emeritus position. He has made significant contributions to our organization and we wish him only the best as he continues to focus on his health.”
EDI collaborates with over 50 Pacific Northwest corporations to provide business relevant, culturally tailored leadership training for Asian Pacific Islander and Hispanic participants. The leadership institute has built a community of over 800 alumni and is currently recruiting for its 2015 programs.
