Jeanne Sakamoto was appointed Chief of Staff and Planning in June 2019, having previously served as the Foundation’s Director of Program Operations and in Irvine’s former Arts program as Senior Program Officer, Program Officer, and Program Associate beginning in 2004.

Prior to joining Irvine, Jeanne worked at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles, one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers in the country. She worked at the center as a J. Paul Getty Grant Multicultural Intern, Program Assistant, Donor and Community Relations Manager, Assistant to the President, and as Director of Special Initiatives, directing the planning and execution of major community development projects and communications activities.

Jeanne currently serves on the board of directors of Taikoproject, an ensemble of premiere taiko drummers dedicated to promoting and advancing the American art of taiko. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications studies with a specialization in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is also a graduate of Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program.

Jeanne is based out of Irvine’s Los Angeles office.