Co-Founder, Think Tank SophiaBank
Kumi Fujisawa is Co-Founder of Think Tank SophiaBank, Vice President of the Japan Social Entrepreneur Forum (JSEF) and Guest Professor at Hosei Graduate School.She also acts globally as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader and Global Agenda Council on Philanthropy and Social Investment.
Kumi’s professional career began as an investment analyst after graduating from Osaka City University in 1989. After working for several investment fund management companies, she founded Japan’s first investment trust evaluation company in1996. She sold the company to S&P in 1999 and then helped to establish the Think Tank SophiaBank to incubate new social systems by fostering social entrepreneurs in 2000.
From 2003 to 2006, she anchored “21st Century Business Class”, an NHK TV program. Since then, she has continued to visit and interview more than 800 companies. Kumi has sat on more than 30 government committees.
She is also actively involved in writing books, appearing in various media including magazines, television or radio, and giving lectures offering ideas on investment, economics, management and business promotion. Her books have been translated in to English and other Asian languages.
Her excellent insight and sharp comments are highly respected.
1996, Founder and President, IFIS, Japan's first investment trust rating company; 1999, sold IFIS to, and became Director, Standard & Poor's; 2000, Director, helped establish Sophia Bank; 2003, Founder and Vice-President, Japan Social Entrepreneur Forum, an organization to support social entrepreneurs; 2004, conducted management buy-out of Sophia Bank; since 2005, current position. Associate Professor, Hosei Business School of Innovation Management. Member of several law development committees in government including FSA, METI, CAO. Broadcaster on several TV programmes about economy and management. Author of many books on investment management for individuals and management of small companies.