January 30 Meeting
Breaking Barriers: Navigating a Path to
Professional Success in a Male-Dominated Society
with
Junko Foley
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Time: 6:00–6:45 pm: Arrive and mingle
7:00 pm: Dinner
8:00–9:00 pm: Presentation
Place: Hilton Osaka (Umeda), 4F
Cost: FEW members: ¥6,000
Nonmembers (women only): ¥8,000
Register: Hilton: By Wednesday, January 22, midnight
[FEW Kansai members may participate in monthly meetings via Zoom if unable to join in person at the Hilton.
Please go to the Event page for details.]
Japan has made progress (even if it's sometimes hard to see) in gender equality and the opportunities available to women. But it has taken decades to get here. In January, we will have the opportunity to hear from someone who has navigated the challenges of leadership and entrepreneurship in Japan’s male-dominated society. Our speaker, Junko Foley, has had a multi-faceted career spanning roles as a secretary, a professional interpreter, an entrepreneur who founded two innovative startups, and the current leader of a legacy business deeply rooted in tradition.
At our meeting, Junko will discuss breaking through personal and professional barriers, from cultural challenges to gender bias, and how overcoming these obstacles ultimately shaped her path to success. Her story will include practical insights as well as a strong dose of inspiration for anyone striving to advance in their careers or leadership roles. As a board member for Expo 2025, she will also touch on this exciting global event and its potential to drive innovation and cultural exchange. We hope to see you there!
Our Speaker: Junko Foley
Junko Foley graduated from Kobe College and began her career in administrative roles before becoming an interpreter for the Governor of Osaka. She later worked as a simultaneous and consecutive interpreter for international conferences.
In 1994, Junko founded an online database company called MAID Japan. Two years later, she co-founded Silver Egg Technology with Thomas Foley, which was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in September 2016.
In 2010, she became the President of Daidomon, a family business that was once a well-known brand in Kansai, after repurchasing it from a financial fund. Currently, she also serves as the Executive Director of Kansai Doyukai (Kansai Association of Corporate Executives) and is a Board Director for the 2025 Expo.