Wako Takayama

Wako Takayama has over 10 years of experience in leading development and marketing teams to deliver technology and consumer products that people love to use. She has worked in the US and Asian markets, for leading manufacturers, media and financial web sites, Motorola, and Leo Burnett, on products ranging from Chinese handwriting recognition software to shampoo. Wako's consulting firm, Takayama Consulting, focuses on maximizing the impact of products and services by listening to and learning about what customers and audience really want and experience.

Wako holds degrees in social anthropology from Harvard University (BA) and Stanford University (MA). She speaks Japanese and is improving her Spanish; plays violin in a flamenco-latin ensemble; and serves on the board of ArtSpan, producer of SF Open Studios.