Leona Iizuka

Leona Iizuka is a multifaceted professional currently serving as the Senior Advisor of Operations and Founder & President of the Vanderbilt Japanese Cultural Association since August 2023. Leona holds the position of Global Engagement Fellow at the Vanderbilt Center of Language as of January 2024 and is actively working as a Marketing Communications Intern at Grameen Bank, focusing on micro-finance initiatives for women in Japan. Additionally, Leona serves as a TED Translator and has founded RionaStyle, where personalized lessons are provided to students. Recent internships at PwC and Goldman Sachs are complemented by a role as a Business Development Intern at Joinstarapp, enhancing skills in market research and branding. With a background that includes tutoring at Brandeis University and research assistance in voice analysis related to cognitive decline, Leona possesses a robust educational foundation with degrees from Vanderbilt University, Brandeis University, and Waseda University, alongside a commitment to economic and cultural engagement.