Zwig Strategies is led by Leona Hiraoka, a veteran nonprofit and association leader experienced in transition management and transformations within organizations striving to reach the next level. With her years on executive staffs and boards, Leona brings extensive experience in organizational development, strategic planning, budget and governance issues, and with that a practical, results-oriented approach to helping organizations create change and achieve growth.

As president and CEO of Keiro, Leona was charged with creating a community-based service nonprofit serving older Japanese Americans, transitioning from a skilled nursing facility model and managing a $70 million portfolio. As part of this dramatic shift in mission and strategic goals, she created innovative partnerships in areas such as palliative care and launched the inaugural annual Keiro no Hi festival in downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

Leona served on the executive staff of the National Education Association for more than a decade, heading the award-winning media and communications division and working on the core executive team for strategic planning and budget for an organization with 51 state and 14,000 local affiliates. For this and other organizations, Leona successfully raised millions of dollars annually in corporate, advertising and membership revenue.

An experienced public speaker, Leona has moderated and served on international panels on public policy and entrepreneurship; addressed public forums on municipal controversies; and presented to numerous boards and leadership committees.

She has served on the U.S.-Japan Council Board of Directors, the JACL Washington DC board, and numerous advisory committees and community volunteer positions. In addition to being the proud mother of two, Leona is an ardent admirer of the works and philosophy of Charles Dickens, a certified California naturalist and a practitioner of dahnmudo tai chi.