Makiko Oleynikov joined JCIE USA as Deputy Director in September 2025. She brings over a decade of experience in international development and US-Japan relations, with expertise in program design, cross-sector convenings, and organizational leadership.

Prior to joining JCIE USA, she served as Program Director and US Office Manager for IC Net Limited, a Japanese consulting firm and Gakken Group subsidiary. Based in Washington DC, she managed international development initiatives across Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, including multimillion-dollar projects funded by the Japanese government. She also led US engagement strategies, building partnerships with educational institutions, multilateral donors, and NGOs, while overseeing office operations, financial management, and team development.

Earlier in her career, Makiko worked with The QED Group and Abt Associates on US government–funded programs, supporting USAID and other federal initiatives in health and agriculture, and facilitating project design and overseas missions in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

She holds an MA in International Development Studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, where she received the Dean’s Award for academic excellence, and a BA with High Honors in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. Multilingual in Japanese, Spanish, and English, she has also been active in her local community, serving on nonprofit boards and leading educational and civic initiatives.