TheBridge profile: Maiko Nakagaki
Name: Maiko Nakagaki
Current city: Washington, DC
Current job: Strategic Partnerships and Development Manager at Alliance for Affordable Internet/Web Foundation
Past job: Global Social Impact + Tech + Open Internet Specialist at Center for International Private Enterprise/US Chamber of Commerce; International Finance Corporation (IFC), White & Case LLP
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? The Coffee Bar on M St & Pitango in Adams Morgan
Q. Describe one way how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your new job. Working overseas in developing countries taught me that patience and resilience are key to successfully completing projects/deliverables. That even if something unexpected happens (like a power outage in the middle of a presentation or unexpected travel delays to meetings due to union strikes of major airlines), you always have to be prepared for plan B so that you can overcome the bumps to deliver exceptional service/products.
Q. Job advice in three words? Be open minded
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between politics and tech? I currently work with private sector organizations in developing countries to push for open internet policies in their countries. For any of the lofty sustainable development goals (SDGs) to be realized, the private sector in emerging markets need to take advantage of the internet/online markets/digital economy to spur growth. But that will only happen if all interested parties have equal and affordable access to the internet.
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Humbleness/Humility, especially in ego-filled DC/SF :)
Q. Which Member of Congress is most tech savvy? Cory Booker - with all his Tweets and FB Live
Q. Favorite restaurant? There are so many! In DC, I like Beau Thai and Rose's Luxury. In the Bay Area, I like Burma Superstar (which convinced me to visit Burma!) and Viks Chaat (in Berkely).
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