People & Organization

Emi
Kanzawa

People Narrative Architect · HR Strategist & Builder

I find the through-line between where an organization is and where it aspires to be — then design and build the people infrastructure to get it there.

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About

Builder.
Strategist.
Humanist.

Cornell Johnson MBA, 2011
Sophia University BA Psychology, 2003
Languages Japanese (native) · English (fluent)
Certified Coach 2014

Over 15 years at Amazon and Panasonic, I've partnered closely with business leaders through fast-paced Last Mile expansion with multinational teams, and a corporate venture launch aimed at creating a new customer touchpoint and transforming a 100+ year-old company culture.

My edge is the ability to move between ambiguity and structure: I observe what's working beneath the surface, make it legible, and build the scaffolding that lets people move toward where they aspire to be.

Grounded in psychology and sharpened at Cornell Johnson MBA, I bring both the rigor to diagnose and the craft to rewire — from the inside out.

Outside work, I am a wife and mom to a tween son and a dog.

Experience

2026

Panasonic
Corporation

HR Director (P4) — Overseas Business Division & CX Center

HRBP lead for a division overseeing sales operations across 20 countries and a data-driven CX marketing organization, in support of the company's transformation into a marketing-led enterprise.

Global HR Org Design Marketing Transformation

2022 – 2026

Panasonic
Holdings

HR Director (P4) — Yohana Inc. & Panasonic Well

Built the entire HR function for Yohana, a life solutions startup, from the ground up — values, employment framework, grading, compensation, and performance systems. Supported leadership transition for Panasonic Well; managed full HR lifecycle through business contraction and wind-down as a member of the leadership team.

Startup HR Culture Design Leadership Development

2011 – 2022

Amazon
Japan

Regional HR Manager (L7) → HR Leadership Development Program

10+ years spanning HRBP, team management, org design, and compensation. Supported Last Mile expansion from 1 to 24 delivery stations; led multinational teams; certified Bar Raiser with 340+ interviews. Founded Working Parents community and championed DEI initiatives.

HRBP Talent Management Rapid Scaling Bar Raiser

2003 – 2009

Aflac Life
Insurance

Marketing & Training Specialist

Co-led launch of 13 bank distribution branches; hired and trained 120 representatives. Led product launch achieving 86% channel penetration and 216% sales increase. Developed experience in org scaling and the limits of small-team solutions — the insight that drew me toward people strategy.

Channel Expansion Training Design Org Scaling

Writing

Occasional thoughts on people, organizations, and the mechanics of change. More to come.

Essays and notes — coming soon

Contact

Let's find the through-line together.