President and CEO, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP)

Linda Akutagawa is president and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP), where she is responsible for LEAP’s strategic direction, sustainability, relationships, and collaborations.

A beneficiary of LEAP’s leadership programming and a passionate social entrepreneur for over 20 years, Akutagawa has dedicated herself to continuing the cycle of leadership development and inspiring Asian and Pacific Islanders to aspire to leadership roles in all sectors of society.

She is vice chair and an appointed member of the California Department of Insurance Diversity Task Force. Additionally, she is a member of the Southern California Edison Consumer Advisory Panel, a member of the Asian/Asian American Institute Advisory Board at California State University, Los Angeles, and a board member of Japanese American Community Services, a community grantmaking organization. Linda received her bachelor’s degree in international business with a minor in economics from California State University, Los Angeles.