About

Joyce Akiko

Background

For over 10 years, I’ve led Business and People Operations across a wide range of organizations, from solo entrepreneurs and fast-paced startups to multi-billion dollar corporations. Multiple founders and executives have called me “the left-hand woman” because of my knack for turning their creative, right-brain visions into actionable step-by-step plans and holding them accountable to bring those visions to life.

In my fractional roles as COO, Director of Operations, and EOS Integrator I often serve as the second in command, allowing clients to focus on A and Z while I handle everything in-between.

Examples of my projects include:

  • Building and integrating foundational Operations systems, including Project Management tools, Email Marketing platforms with advanced funnel logic, CRMs, Learning Management Systems, landing pages and payments, Bookkeeping tools, and more.
  • Implementing systems and automations that reduce manual tasks, such as decreasing a client’s sales process by 38%.
  • Optimizing business processes and developing SOPs for greater efficiency, such as reducing a client’s operating costs by 23% month-over-month.
  • Facilitating seamless communication between senior leadership, CEOs, founders, and their teams by effectively project managing and leading cross-organizational initiatives.
  • Leading the product management for developing in-house SaaS tools, translating technical terms between the development team and leadership with ease.
  • Designing and implementing performance management policies with 360-degree reviews and coaching.
  • And many more. 

I pride myself on consistency, integrity, and follow-through, guided by Marie Forleo’s mantra: everything is figureoutable.

Outside of work, I indulge in various creative hobbies, including sewing, shoe-making, and other crafts—feel free to check them out on Instagram. I enjoy keeping busy and constantly learning new things.

Education

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Psychology from Ithaca College, where I was one of 10 selected members of the Cognitive Research Team focused on psycholinguistics. I was also one of two members chosen to present our findings at the Psychology Symposium in 2009.

After graduating, I was accepted into the Master of Science in Human Resources Development program at Villanova University, the longest-running HRD graduate program in the U.S., known for its rigorous curriculum that includes Business Statistics and HR Metrics. I completed my degree in 2011 and soon after passed the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam.

In 2022, I earned a Specialization in Culture-Driven Team Building from the University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on creating a team culture of continuous learning—an area I am particularly passionate about and find essential for fostering effective, collaborative environments.

Credentials

Along with my formal education, I’m certified by Six Sigma in Root Cause Analysis and accredited by the OKR Institute. I also hold certifications in Lean Leadership and Change Management from John Academy, as well as in People Analytics for Performance Management and Career Development from Wharton University.

Additionally, I completed the EOS Integrator Masterclass, a Rocket Fuel course designed to help Integrators like myself support Visionaries in turning their ideas into reality through effective structure and tools.

Why Matcha?

Beyond being my favorite type of tea, matcha carries special significance for me. In the Japanese tea ceremony, known as Chado or Sado (茶道), every detail and movement is performed with precision and purpose. Having the right tools is essential, and the ceremony’s goal is to create harmony and inner peace for guests. Chado embodies the values I strive to incorporate in my work, at home, and in life.

In Chado, four principles resonate deeply with my approach: Harmony (wa), Respect (kei), Purity (sei), and Tranquility (jaku).

Harmony means living without the need to impress, compete, or dominate, and transcending individual egos and roles. Respect involves understanding and accepting others with kindness and humility, regardless of differences. Purity represents the intention of an open heart, while Tranquility naturally arises from practicing these three principles.

Through Chado, what might otherwise be a mundane act becomes a meaningful experience that integrates these principles. These are the same principles I apply when working with clients and their teams.