Meet Our Newest Board Member: Yumi Kobayashi

By Yumi Kobayashi, Executive Director Market Risk Manager, JPMorgan Chase Bank, New York City

I'm excited to introduce myself as a new member of the FACT board. Currently based in New York, I work as a risk manager for the largest US bank, dedicated to safeguarding assets and ensuring the trust of our clients worldwide. I’m originally from Tokyo, Japan, and I spent school holidays on my grandparents' farm (even though I was far from being a real farmer!). These experiences planted the seed of my passion for animal well-being.

While my career led me to the finance industry, taking me from Tokyo to Hong Kong and later to New York, my belief in the dignity of all living beings, including animals, has always guided me. I used to volunteer and donate to causes close to my heart, and I discovered the opportunity to align my skills with meaningful causes through the BoardLead, a service connecting professionals like me to non-profit boards.

FACT immediately caught my eye. A photo of children looking over grazing cattle made me confident that this organization is doing something truly amazing. My journey as a FACT Board member is fueled by a commitment to leverage my financial expertise and global perspective to support the organization's mission. Despite not being a farmer myself, I am eager to contribute to FACT's growth, working alongside talented staff, esteemed board members, and the visionary Harry!

Together, we aim to make sustainable farming and healthy food a part of everyday life, supported by a robust regulatory framework.