Ai Sasaki

A community builder in Asia who connects people across borders, generations, and sectors, and moves social systems through dialogue.

Founder and Representative Director of the Asia Women Leaders Forum (AWLF). Centered on women’s empowerment and next-generation leadership development, she designs collaborative platforms that span government, industry, academia, international organizations, and the private sector, advancing a space where leaders across Asia can jointly envision the future. As the first private organization from Japan to host an international summit at the United Nations ESCAP (Bangkok, Thailand), she develops international initiatives grounded in dialogue and co-creation.

Completed the Executive Management Program at the University of Tokyo and the Asia Geopolitics Programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. She serves as CEO of Asia Pacific Innovation Inc. and Japan Representative of the Inner Happiness Foundation, and, as an advisor to Raul Inc. and the EIF India Fund, promotes projects across Asia that integrate private diplomacy, economic partnership, and social contribution.

Through continuous dialogue with leaders from various countries, she has fostered collaboration across diverse fields including education, environment, health, economy, and cultural co-creation. She has initiated cross-sector cooperation, such as proposals to improve the safety of school meals and nutrition education in Asia and the connection of international cooperation projects.

Guided by the vision “One Team, One Asia — Toward a Beautiful Earth 1,000 Years from Now,” she aspires to build sustainable and inclusive social systems that respect the dignity of each individual. Making women’s potential the starting point for a positive cycle between people and society is her life’s work, and she continues to contribute to shaping Asia’s future through mutual understanding and co-creation fostered by dialogue.

February 20, 2026