Complementary and Shared Experiences Sugeno and SIIF were aligned with Huang and Takatsuka in many ways.
First, they valued the team’s significant financial and fund management skills and real-time experience building the first impact fund. They knew how to negotiate within a bank and had demonstrated their ability to make investments—in this case, six investments. SIIF brought skills in impact and the social sector, and Sugeno’s professional background in IMM (Impact Measurement and Management) added depth to the partnership. SIIF also brought to the table a deep network of private and public sector partners through GSG Impact JAPAN. Second, Sugeno and SIIF leaders were aligned with Huang and Takatsuka as they shared global experiences. Sugeno received her graduate degree in international development in the United States and worked throughout Asia, including working in rural China for an international non-governmental organization. Sugeno had extensive experience working in the private sector in corporate social responsibility. Similarly, Takatsuka spent her formative years in Guatemala, the United States, Chile, and Argentina, and Huang, originally from China, brought a comparative lens to the challenges Japan faced. All three understood that Japan’s rigid cultural norms weren’t inevitable. Their experiences abroad enabled them to see other perspectives about what was possible to improve wellness and well-being based on best global models. Third, on a personal note, all three women had young children and could relate to the challenges of finding work-life balance in Japan. The Childcare Support Fund was created by Huang and Takatsuka after the birth of their children. As working mothers, Huang and Takatsuka found many barriers. Access to childcare was scarce, and the rigid demands of their careers made balancing family life difficult. Their long work hours took away from their time as mothers, and their motherhood held them from career opportunity and advancement. They realized that the existing systems were neither sufficient nor effective in enabling parents —whether women or men—to thrive. Motivated by their experiences, Huang and Takatsuka envisioned a system with new solutions, where all working people could thrive, not just survive. Sugeno and SIIF were committed to this vision.
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Ten Years in the Making
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