Morio Nishikawa　Chairman

He assumed responsibilities for many years as the leader for both Consumer (B2C) and Professional (B2B) Divisions at S.C. Johnson, a renowned global family company. He served as the President/CEO and the Chairman in the Japanese company and also served as the Regional President of the USA Headquarters. He participated in the planning committee as the deputy chairman for the Corporate Philosophy of “This We Believe” currently used in global Johnson group. He played an important role in effective management of the family, the business and the ownership.
He is the Chairman of Yokohama Consulting Co., Ltd, a consultation company for family business and provides consultations to many companies as the independent director and the advisor.
He completed the Advanced Program (A.M.P.) at Harvard Business School. He is also the FFI Certificate holder of Family Business Advising and the author of the book “Conditions of A Successful Family Company”.

Kazuyoshi Takei　Director, Secretary General

He has received his BA in economics from Keio University, and MBA from Columbia Business School. He is the first Japanese certificate holder of FFI Family Business Advising. He served as a board member of “Family Business Conference concerned with the regional economy” by Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2009. Experienced and trained several years at a character-goods company, he attended work in his family’s 100 years old bed clothing manufacture and wholesale business. He became the 4th generation president. In 2003 he founded WellSpring, a consulting firm, where he works for family firms, giving consulting, training courses and writing.　Author of: “Why Family Businesses fail in three generations?” Cross Media Publishing

Teruo Shinato　Director

He is a Dean and Professor of Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies at Nihon University, Managing Director and Secretary General of Japan Academy of Family Business, Director of Japan Family Business Institute, and Managing Director of la Societe Franco-Japonaise de Gestion. He has a B.A. from Osaka University (ex.-Osaka University of Foreign Studies), CEP from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, MBA from INSEAD, and Ph.D from Nihon University. After working for ex-Fuji Bank, including at overseas branches, and Asahi University as a Professor. he now works for Nihon University for over 8 years and lectures on Family Business, Global Business Strategy etc. He authored an article titled Defis des entreprises familiaes:comparison entre le Japon et la France (2008), No.25, La Societe Franco-Japonaise de Gestion, and co-authored many articles. He is a holder of US CPA(Certified Public Accountant, State of Illinois) and CFP(Certified Financial Planner).

Kenji Baba　Director, Operations

He has received his BA in economics from Kyushu University, and MBA from Boston University. In 2001 he joined the president office of a 140 years old family firm. Being engaged in strategic planning of group companies, promoting new projects, dealing with inactive businesses. He personally experienced the survival process of the family firm. In 2006 he became the board member of The MIT Venture Forum of Japan (NPO). He has contributed to confirm a mentoring system, entrepreneur education and support.
Having expertise in entrepreneurial strategy and governance in family business, attends two third-generation family-owned executive boards. Gives lectures and advises families in business on topics such as diverse in family business, strategic decision making, and corporate strategy. Also provides guidance on making business plans and matching with investors for several venture companies in the funding phase.

<Advisor>　lvan Lansberg, Ph.D.

After receiving B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University, Ivan Lansberg taught at the Columbia Graduate School of Business. He was one of the founders of the Family Firm Institute (FFI) and the first editor of its professional journal, the Family Business Review. He is on the faculty of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Senior Partner of Lansberg Gersick & Associates.

<Advisor>　Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D.

Kelin holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and a B.A. from Yale University, where he also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship and served on the faculty. Kelin Gersick is co-founder and a senior partner of Lansberg, Gersick & Associates, a research and consulting firm, that serves family businesses, family offices and family foundations. Kelin is the lead author of Generation to Generation: Life Cycles of the Family Business (1997, Harvard Business School Press). He has served as Co-Editor in Chief of Family Business Review.