Kaori Yamashita – Business Development Manager
Kaori Yamashita brings a proven track record of cross-sector innovation and global execution across some of the most dynamic arenas of modern technology—including manufacturing systems, software development, artificial intelligence, and immersive media. With a foundation in creative production and product strategy, she offers high-level market insight at the intersection of engineering systems, user experience, and real-world commercialization. Over the course of her career, Kaori has collaborated with engineers, researchers, and business leaders to help launch and promote next-generation technologies spanning robotics, VR/AR platforms, and space systems. She has directed overseas marketing strategies, led high-profile product rollouts, and represented private-sector innovation at organizations such as CTEC, SIGGRAPH Asia, and the International Astronautical Congress. Now serving as Chief Executive Officer of Pivot Co., Ltd., she leads international business expansion and cross-border partnership efforts across Asia, North America, and beyond. She works closely with both public and private stakeholders to bring emerging technologies to market—navigating cultural, regulatory, and technical environments with fluency and precision. Her strength lies in translating complex technologies into tangible business outcomes, aligning cross-cultural teams, and shaping strategies that make innovation both understandable and reliable.
Garrett Leopardi – Business Development Strategist
Garrett Leopardi brings a proven track record of high-impact execution across some of the world’s most demanding sectors, including deepwater energy, defense technology, and advanced emerging markets. His experience includes leadership roles on projects like Chevron’s Jack/St. Malo and Shell’s Stones—two of the deepest and most technically complex offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico—where he led first-of-its-kind performance under extreme pressure, coordinating between engineering, field teams, and executive leadership. Garrett now serves as Chief Operating Officer of Pivot Co., Ltd., where he oversees client integration, partnership execution, and international initiatives. He supports global clients and government partners in deploying new systems, with specialized focus in AI-powered surveillance systems, dual-use technologies, and high-resilience platforms. Known for his clarity under pressure and for aligning engineering with solution-driven strategy, he leads Pivot’s approach to strategic positioning, innovation integration, and the alignment of high-stakes technology deployments with public and private sector objectives worldwide.
