Washington Women’s Dialogue

On March 28 the Mansfield Foundation co-hosted the 15th Washington Women’s Dialogue with the Japan Institute for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (JSIE). This dialogue featured two innovative business leaders — Michelle Brown and Takashi Sato. Ms. Brown is co-owner and co-founder of Teaism, a collection of Asian-inspired tea shops and restaurants that have been operating in Washington, D.C. since 1996. Mr. Sato is President and CEO of San-J International, Inc. His family has been making Tamari soy sauce for over 200 years and in 1987 built its first U.S. brewing facility in Virginia. Both described their pioneering paths and how they have adapted their businesses to meet changing trends and consumer preferences.