Satoko Itoh joined JCIE in 1988. She currently leads a wide range of global health programs, including the Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ), which she has been involved with since its inception in 2004 and for which she currently serves as assistant director.

From 1997 to 2004, she operated the Levi Strauss Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund, which provided funds to Japanese nonprofit organizations for activities tackling issues of HIV/AIDS, economic empowerment, and social justice. She has since helped launch and facilitate a number of other corporate giving programs, encouraging the Japanese private sector to become actively engaged in achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and health equity in low- and middle-income countries. Ms. Itoh has an extensive network, having worked closely with representatives of various ministries, the private sector, and key civil society organizations (CSOs). Her expertise lies in navigating the complicated dynamics and politics of various actors in the global health community in Japan. She contributed to the formation of Japan’s new Global Health Strategy as a member of the Task Force on Global Health Strategy organized by the Cabinet Secretariat in 2021–2022. She holds a BA from Keio University and an MA in area studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.