Born in Nagoya, Maiko Ito has had extensive experience abroad, studying at Newcastle University during her youth and living in Texas before moving to Tsuruoka in 2014. Career-wise, Maiko has worked at Fuji Electric Global, and ETIC, an NPO supporting youth through internships and social businesses.

While in Tsuruoka, Maiko has helped with the establishment of a startup, and set up Work Life Shift, a consultancy aimed at Human Resources development and organisational reform. Her mission is to connect regional companies that have future-oriented work practices with the right people to create new value.