Katsuhiro “Kats” Furuyama, a senior HR business partner at Robert Half, leverages employee networking groups, or ENGs, to drive DE&I and bring people together to learn and positively impact their lives and communities. “If a company doesn’t have a DE&I initiative or have an ENG or [employee resource group], I think they’re missing out on opportunities to really build an engaging workforce,” he says. In fact, Furuyama credits ENGs with bringing a sense of community to Robert Half, giving employees a place to have important conversations and celebrate together.

A founding member of the company’s Asian Professionals for Excellence group, or Apex, Furuyama has focused on creating a sense of community for Asian people in the workplace. He emphasizes that within the Asian community there are distinct experiences and perspectives, and having the opportunity to learn and share makes a difference. “I think that everyone comes from different backgrounds,” he clarifies. “Everyone has a unique experience. And if you have that safe space, you’re able to share, and that’s what builds a stronger sense of community.”

"Everyone comes from different backgrounds. If you have that safe space, you're able to share, and that's what builds a stronger sense of community."

Outside of Robert Half, Furuyama is active with Ascend, a Pan-Asian membership organization for business professionals in North America. He has worked through Ascend at local and national levels for over eight years and is co-president of its NorCal chapter. Through NorCal Ascend, Furuyama has led and contributed to philanthropic and community initiatives as well as educational programming. “When I first went to an Ascend event, that is when I really had that ‘aha’ moment,” he recalls. “There are topics that we all sort of resonate with and the experiences that we have. I also felt included.”

Through effective collaboration, Furuyama brings learning and development opportunities of Ascend into Robert Half. For example, Apex has discussed myths of Asian leadership, engaged with leadership on perspectives of Asian employees and, over the past few months, has begun to focus on professional career development, including personal branding, to build on skills and help people promote themselves.

2023 DE&I Influencers List