Rika Nakazawa – Let the Shape Emerge

15 October 2020
Rika Nakazawa

In this episode #38, we speak with Rika Nakazawa . Rika is a senior leader, entrepreneur, investor in, and frequent public speaker on, technology-powered business transformation. She is the CEO and Founder of BoardSeatMeet, a Silicon Valley social impact venture, that focuses on diversifying the board room by empowering women to build and leverage social capital with modern technology. Trilingual in Japanese, German and English, Rika grew up in Japan and moved to the US initially to attend Princeton University. She is a technology industry veteran who has worked internationally in senior executive roles in strategy, business development, and marketing with Fortune 500 companies that include NVIDIA, Sony, Accenture, American Express, and also several Silicon Valley startups. Rika is passionate about deepening the intersection of human and digital paradigms through transformational innovation and the pursuit of purpose-driven collaboration.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Why there’s nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.
  • Why you should chip away at a stone to let the shape emerge rather than try to chip away to make a shape.
  • How in today’s climate you can’t fear technology – use it to help drive change.

Discussed in this episode:

Promotion for culinary capitals an innovative destination certification and development program for unknown destinations
Taste of place podcast listen to our culinary travel and culture podcast with erik wolf
Food
A membership page with a picture of pancakes on a plate.
30 September 2025
In Loving Memory and with Deep Gratitude: Honoring Brian F. Lorge
29 September 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 80: “Mexico Beyond the Myths” featuring Ximena Velasco In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we chat with Ximena Velasco, founder of the ¡Qué Gusto! festival in France. Originally from Mexico, Ximena has dedicated the past decade to changing perceptions of Mexican food abroad, proving that it is far more than fajitas or chili con carne. She shares her journey from working with Atout France to creating her own cultural platform, the challenges of promoting Mexican gastronomy in a country so deeply proud of its own food traditions, and the victories that come from perseverance, creativity, and trust in her instincts. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
25 September 2025
Quarterly tales from the ambassadors of the World Food Travel Association
by Erik Wolf 21 September 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 79: “Peace Through Food” featuring Paula Mohammed In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we sit down with Paula Mohammed – podcaster, cultural explorer, and founder of In My Kitchen. Paula’s story begins with a unique multicultural upbringing as the daughter of a Pakistani father and Māori mother, raised in both Canada and New Zealand. She shares how a childhood memory of curried peas sparked a lifelong passion for connecting cultures through food. From organizing events and working in sports marketing, to launching In My Kitchen and facilitating culinary exchanges worldwide, Paula has built a life around creating peace through food — one dish and one story at a time. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
Smiling Black chef in black uniform with arms crossed. Outdoor setting.
29 August 2025
Chef Dela Acolatse from Ghana is the newest certified ambassador for the World Food Travel Association.
by Erik Wolf 29 August 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 78: “From Abidjan to London” featuring Paule-Odile Beke In this episode, Ivorian-French chef Paule-Odile Béké shares her journey from sneaking street food in Abidjan to founding her Afro-fusion catering company in London and competing on MasterChef: The Professionals. She reflects on her culinary roots, the influence of family, her experiences in Paris and London, and her mission to elevate Ivorian cuisine on the global stage. Paule also discusses resilience in the kitchen, the importance of mentorship, and her exciting new ventures with Ivorian teas, spirits, and food products. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
More posts