Tom Ikeda, Executive Director
Tom Ikeda has served as Executive Director of the Japanese American Chamber of Commerce of Washington State since 2003. Tom Ikeda is also the founding Executive Director of Densho, a project that teaches young people about democracy by sharing the stories of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II.
Prior to working at the JACC and Densho, he was a Product Group General Manager at Microsoft Corporation where he developed multimedia CD-ROM titles. Tom also worked as a research engineer developing hemodializers (artificial kidneys) with Cordis Dow Corporation and as a financial analyst at the Weyerhaeuser Company. Tom graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Chemical Engineering, BA in Chemistry and an MBA.

Brenda Handley, Consulting Director
Brenda L. Handley is a founding partner and CEO of Northwest Suites & Housing Services. Since launching the company in 1988, her objective has been to become the premier interim housing provider in the Puget Sound region and the nation. Brenda recognized the strong potential of the interim corporate housing market early on and has applied her entrepreneurial spirit, passion for excellence, and strong work ethic to build the largest company of its type in the region. Today, the company is among the fastest growing private companies in the Puget Sound region, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal's annual lists for 2001 and 2002.

Brenda is a member of the Pacific Northwest Relocation Council and the Association of Interim Housing Providers. She serves on the board of directors for the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason and is chairperson for the Education Committee for Corporate Housing Providers Association -- a national industry organization.
Handley lectures frequently on business issues and particularly enjoys inspiring young women to recognize their career passions and apply their business savvy, relationship skills, empathy, and intuition to achieve their highest career and life goals. Brenda was named a finalist in the 2002 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Competition in recognition of her extraordinary leadership in the business community and her contributions to the community. The company is also a finalist in the 2002 Better Business Bureau Business of the Year Awards Competition, recognizing the company's innovative customer service strategies, business ethics, and contributions to the community.

jachamber@jachamber.com