Open to opportunities

Yumi Nakashima

@yuminakashima

Message

I empower early-stage founders through human-centred innovation and inclusive coaching.

United Kingdom

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a role supporting early-stage founders and innovation programmes where I can lead user-centred research, run workshops, coach teams, and build inclusive, impact-driven support systems.

I am an innovation professional with five years' experience in community empowerment, having delivered 50+ workshops and engaged over 1,000 participants to drive user-centred outcomes. I specialise in helping early-stage founders scale through inclusive, impact-driven support systems.

I am completing an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and co-produced a user-centred accommodation website that was selected top 4 at the Innovation Showcase 2025; I was also among the top students consulting on international expansion projects. My background combines rigorous user and stakeholder research with practical design and facilitation methods.

In practice I have worked as an Innovation Coach, Junior Consultant, and Co‑Founder, leading user research, co-design, prototyping and partnership strategies. I bring strengths in workshop facilitation, coaching, data synthesis, and iterative product development to build practical, evidence-led solutions that empower communities and founders.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Logistics Consulting Intern

Groundswell

May 2022 - Aug 2022 (3 months)

Managed 15+ sea freight shipments and ensured regulatory compliance while guiding multi-sector B2B clients. Led office relocation and client outreach and streamlined onboarding and intern workflow efficiency by 50%.

Logistics Management Regulatory Compliance Client Relations Project Coordination Process Improvement Onboarding

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Bristol

Master of Science, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

2024 -

Grade: First Class

Activities and societies: Co-produced user-centred accommodation website; selected top 4 at Innovation Showcase 2025; selected among top 10 students to consult University of Dayton on global expansion.

Pursuing an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship since September 2024. Co-produced a user-centred accommodation website and was selected top 4 at the Innovation Showcase 2025.

Soka University

Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Business Administration

2020 - 2024

Grade: First Class

Activities and societies: Student President of the Faculty of Liberal Arts; founder of the SOGI Research Group; led Voice Up Japan inclusive housing project and student workshops.

Completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, majoring in Business Administration, from April 2020 to March 2024.