Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura

 Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura headshot

Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura

Assistant Professor, Human and Organizational Learning


School: Graduate School of Education and Human Development

Department: Human and Organizational Learning, Cross-Disciplinary

Contact:

Office Phone: (202) 994-3291

Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura is an Assistant Professor of Human and Organizational Learning at the George Washington University. Her research focuses on the interface between leadership and learning. Her areas of research interest include authentic leadership development, neuroscience of adult learning, women in leadership, and neurodiverse leadership. Dr. Nakamura is currently studying the minds, brains, and behaviors of adult learners, with a focus on the interpersonal relational dynamics among leadership actors. Her work involves reflective practices, leadership values development, and empathic relationship building.

Dr. Nakamura has published in a wide range of topics, including social networks among leaders, Japanese women’s leadership, and leadership values development. One of her publications, “The Role of Reflective Practices in Building Social Capital in Organizations from an HRD perspective” received an outstanding award by Academy of Human Resource Development. She is currently working as a lead editor of Japanese Women in Leadership book as part of Asian Women in Leadership book series.

Prior to joining the faculty of George Washington University, she served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University whereby she taught Facilitate Adults Learn with Neuroscience in Mind. She also worked as Head of Academic Learning and Neuroscience at Columbia Business School’s Executive Education department whereby she directed Neuroscience to Enhance Leadership Development program and Future of Learning Forum as well as taught Women in Leadership program. She provided executive coaching for leaders across industries and countries as well.


Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

Ed.M., Teachers College, Columbia University

M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University

B.A., Aoyama Gakuin University

  •  Leadership Learning and Development
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Women's Leadership Development including Japanese Female Social Entrepreneurs
    • Empathic Leadership
    • Neurodiverse Leadership
  • Tools: 
    • Innovative methodological approaches such as neuroscience-based methods and AI-enabled facial expression video-based methods
    • Instruments such as values and beliefs inventory

Nakamura, Y.T., Hinshaw, J., Yu, D. (2024). The Role of Empathy in Developing Ethical Leadership: Neurobiology and Video-based Approaches. In: Russ-Eft, D.F., Alizadeh, A. (eds) Ethics and Human Resource Development. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38727-2_23

Nakamura, Y. T., Horimoto, M., & Hinshaw, J. (2024). From Tradition to Transformation: The Social Entrepreneurial Journey of Japanese Women. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/19394225231221120

Acheson, K., Nakamura, Y. T. et al. (2023). Demonstrating the Value of Values-Based Education. In: Lovat, T., Toomey, R., Clement, N., Dally, K. (eds) Second International Research Handbook on Values Education and Student Wellbeing. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24420-9_8

Nakamura, Y. T., Hinshaw, J., & Burns, R. (2022). Developing women’s authenticity in leadership. Merits, 2, 408–426. https://doi.org/10.3390/merits2040029

Nakamura, Y. T. (2022). How Japan can develop more women leaders. East Asia Forum.

Williams, E. N., Grande, S., Nakamura, Y. T., Pyle, L., & Shaw, G. (2021). The development and practice of authentic leadership: A cultural lens. European Journal of Training and Development. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-03-2021-0039

Nakamura, Y. T., Milner, J., & Milner, T. (2021). Leveraging neurobiology to develop empathetic leaders.Organizational Dynamics Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2021.100865

Nakamura, Y. T., Horimoto, M., & McLean, G. L. (Eds.). (2021). Japanese women in leadership. Palgrave MacMillan. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030363031#aboutBook

Nakamura, Y. T., & Horimoto, M. (2021). The status of women leaders in Japan: Challenges and opportunities. In Y. T. Nakamura, M. Horimoto, & G. L. McLean (Eds.), Japanese Women in Leadership. Palgrave MacMillan. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030363031#aboutBook

AAhad, M. O., Nakamura, Y. T., & Horimoto, M. (2021). Developing women leaders in Japan: Government-led initiatives. In Y. T. Nakamura, M. Horimoto, & G. L. McLean (Eds.), Japanese Women in Leadership. Palgrave MacMillan. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030363031#aboutBook

Kobayashi, M., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2021). Leading self: Motivation and leader identity of women in Japan. In Y. T. Nakamura, M. Horimoto, & G. L. McLean (Eds.), Japanese Women in Leadership. Palgrave MacMillan. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030363031#aboutBook

Yokoyama, Y., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2021). Challenges from employment systems perspectives. In Y. T. Nakamura, M. Horimoto, & G. L. McLean (Eds.), Japanese Women in Leadership. Palgrave MacMillan. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030363031#aboutBook

Nakamura, Y. T., Milner, J., & Milner, T. (2020). Inclusive-empathy in leadership. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886320982022

Nakamura, Y. T. (2020). Developing global organizational leaders’ social capital. European Journal of Training and Development, https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-03-2020-0047

Nakamura, Y. T., & Horimoto, M. (2020). A conceptual framework for developing women social entrepreneurs in Japan. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 22(2), 164-175. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422320907046

Nakamura, Y. T., & Horimoto, M. (2017). Women’s leadership in Japan. In Y. Cho, R. Ghosh, J. Yi Sun, & G. L. McLean (Eds.), Current Perspectives on Asian Women in Leadership. New York, NY: Palgrave MacMillan.

Thomas, V., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2016). What is learning in age of technology? Chief Learning Officer.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Malefakis, M. (2016). Could your culture benefit from co-creation? Chief Learning Officer.

Nakamura, Y. T., Barto, J., & Yorks, L. (2014). Building social capital for leaders: The importance of trusting and diverse networks. Developing Leaders, 17, 40-47.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2013). Social networks that improve performance at work. Developing Leaders, 11, 22-28.

Klepper, W., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2012). The leadership credo: A social contract for change. Developing Leaders, 8, 24-31.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Yorks, L. (2011). The role of reflective practices in building social capital in organizations from an HRD perspective. Human Resource Development Review, 10(3). 222-245.

Nakamura, Y. T., Hernandez, T. M., & Lu, Y. (2024). Unveiling the power through critical reflection: The journey of neurodiverse leadership identity development. 2024 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas.

Nakamura, Y. T., Milner, J., & Deyang, Y. (2024). Empathic conversations in relational leadership ethics: A video-based approach from a HRD perspective. 2024 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas.

Nakamura, Y. T., Yorks, L., & Lu, Y. (2024). The role of social networks in shaping leadership identity: A qualitative study of nonprofit leadership development program. 2024 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas.

Burns, R., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2024). The role of reflection in women leaders’ identity development from an HRD perspective. 2024 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas.

Ding, Z., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2024). Aesthetic learning in HRD: A literature review on adult learners’ transformative learning experience in shifting paradigms and building relationships with others through theater-based pedagogy. 2024 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas.

Pee, D., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2024, February 20-22). Examining epistemic injustice in the environmental field: Exploring the ways of knowing of environmental leaders with intersectional and marginalized identities. [Summit poster presentation]. 9th Annual GW Diversity Summit, Washington, DC, United States.

Kinnaird, K., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2024, February 20-22). Double empathy and relational leadership in neurodiverse workplaces. [Summit poster presentation]. 9th Annual GW Diversity Summit, Washington, DC, United States.

Liang, H., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2023). Online community of practice for high school teachers in China. Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas.

Nakamura, Y.T. & Yu, D. (2022, October 6-7). Leaders’ Emotional Facial Expression Matters in Virtual Interactions: The Role of Empathy in Organizations. [Conference presentation]. Global International Leadership Association Online Conference.

Nakamura, Y. T., Horimoto, M., & Hinshaw, J. (2022, April 6-9). Transformative learning experiences of Japanese women entrepreneurs in time of crisis. [Conference presentation]. International Transformative Learning Conference, Virtual Meeting.

Nakamura, Y. T., Ji, H., Yu, D., Hinshaw, J., Gu, Y., & Reman, R. (2022, April 19-21). Neuroscience methods in HRD: Examining the role of reflection in developing ethical leaders using electroencephalography (EEG) [Conference presentation]. Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas, Arlington, VA.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Lindsey, J. (2022, April 19-21). Neurodiverse leadership development from a social cognitive neuroscience perspective [Conference poster presentation]. Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas, Arlington, VA.

Nakamura, Y. T., Gu, Y., Ji, H., & Kara, S. (2021, June 7-9). Brain-computer interface for the classification of brain activation in face of ethical decision making [Conference presentation]. International Brain-Computer Interface Conference, Virtual Meeting.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2021, February 17-19). Introducing neuroscience-based method in adult learning research [Conference presentation]. 2021 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas, Virtual Conference.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Horimoto, M. (2021, February 17-19). Developing Japanese women in entrepreneurial leadership in time of crisis [Conference presentation]. 2021 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas, Virtual Conference.

Nakamura, Y. T., Gu, Y., Ji, H., & Kara, S. (2020, June 10-12). Neuroscience of ethical leadership: The role of reflection in ethical dilemma situations at Work [Conference presentation]. European Human Resource Development Conference, Budapest, Hungary. [Due to COVID-19, the conference was cancelled, but the paper is published on the conference site].

Nakamura, Y. T., Milner, J., & Milner, T. (2020, June 10-12). Neuroscience of leader as coach [Conference presentation]. European Human Resource Development Conference, Budapest, Hungary. [Due to COVID-19, the conference has been cancelled but the paper is published on the conference site].

Nakamura, Y. T., Gu, Y., Ji, H., & Kara, S. (2020, February 26-29). Ethical leadership development: The role of reflection in adult brain [Conference presentation]. 2020 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas, Atlanta, GA, United States.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Mistry, K. (2020, February 26-29). A conceptual framework for facilitating experiential learning from a social and cultural neuroscience perspective [Conference poster presentation]. 2020 Academy of Human Resource Development International Research Conference in the Americas, Atlanta, GA, United States.

Nakamura, Y. T., Gakiya, M., & Horimoto, M. (2019, October 24-27). Japanese women in leadership [Conference presentation abstract]. International Leadership Association 21stAnnual Global Conference, Ottawa, Canada.

Nakamura, Y. T., Milner, J., & Milner, T. (2019, October 24-27). Digital leadership and coaching from a neuroscience perspective [Conference presentation abstract]. International Leadership Association 21stAnnual Global Conference, Ottawa, Canada.

Williams, L., Grande, S., Nakamura, Y. T., Pyle, L., & Shaw, G. (2019, October 24-27). Authentic and sustainable leadership: The impacts of gender and geography [Conference presentation abstract]. International Leadership Association 21stAnnual Global Conference, Ottawa, Canada.

Nakamura, Y. T., Gu, Y., Jin, H., & Rehman, R. (2019, August 5-8). Adult brain: The role of reflection in ethical leadership development [Conference presentation]. World Education Research Association Annual Focal Meeting, Tokyo, Japan.

Nakamura, Y. T., Rehman, R., & Jin, H. (2019, March 26-28). Adult learning in time of crisis: The impact of reflection on adult brain and its implication for practice [Conference presentation]. International Conference on Business and Social Science, Kyoto, Japan.

Nakamura, Y.T. (2018, October 24-27). Neuroscience and values-based leadership [Conference presentation abstract]. International Leadership Association 20th Annual Global Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, United States.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Goez, J. (2018, October 24-27). Women’s authentic leadership development: A case study [Conference presentation abstract]. International Leadership Association 20th Annual Global Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, United States.

Williams, L., Grande, S., Nakamura, Y. T., Pyle, L., & Shaw, G. (2018, October 24-27). Authentic and sustainable leadership: International qualitative study of leaders [Conference presentation]. International Leadership Association 20th Annual Global Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, United States.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Goez, J. (2018). Developing authenticity in women’s leadership. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference, Richmond, VA. February.

Nakamura, Y. T., Grande, S., Pyle, L., Shealy, C., Williams, L., Brewster, L., & Shaw, G. (2017). Themes, dialectics and paradoxes of authentic and sustainable leadership. International Leadership Association Global Conference, Brussels, Belgium. October.

Cho, Y., Lee, S., Riantoputra, C. D., Nakamura, Y. T., & Park, J. (2017). Current perspectives on Asian women in leadership. International Leadership Association Global Conference, Brussels, Belgium. October.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Horimoto, M. (2017). Women’s leadership development in Japan. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference, San Antonio, TX. March.

Nakamura, Y. T., Leuty, M., Hanson, W., Dirkx, J., & Shealy, C. (2016). Self transformation through values-based test feedback: A work example. International Transformative Learning Conference, Tacoma, WA. October.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Klepper, W. (2016). The role of reflective practices in developing authenticity in leadership: Three year case study. International Transformative Learning Conference, Tacoma, WA. October.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Klepper, W. (2016). Developing authenticity in leadership. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference, Jacksonville, FL. February.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Klepper, W. (2014). Transformative learning in crisis from a leadership development perspective. International Transformative Learning Conference, New York, NY. October.

Nakamura, Y. T., Barto, J., & Yorks, L. (2014). Social capital building through an HRD intervention: An executive development program’s impact on social networking in organizations. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference, Houston, TX. February.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2013). Building a collaborative culture in organizations through social networking. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference, Lexington, KY. November.

Bitterman, J. E., Nakamura, Y. T., Rossum, Z. V., & Mustafa, S. (2012). Three years in the life of a peer support initiative for graduate students studying adult learning and leadership – an Action research project implementing the “ALL Peer Connect Project.” Adult Education Research Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY. May.

Nakamura, Y. T., & Yorks, L. (2012). Organizational social capital formation through an HRD intervention: An exploratory study of structural, relational, and reflective aspects in social networks formed during a corporate leadership development conference. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference, Denver, CO. February/March.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2011). Global organizational leaders’ social capital formation. Academy of Management Conference, San Antonio, TX. August.

Klepper, W., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2011). Corporate leadership and the personal leadership credo. Columbia Caseworks, Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

Johnson, E. A. J., & Nakamura, Y. T. (2010). A diversity capital perspective for global organizational leadership. Academy of Management Conference, Montréal, Canada. August.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2010). Executives’ social capital formation interventions: HRD research and practice perspectives. Academy of Human Resource Development Conference, Knoxville, TN. February.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2009). Leveraging diverse social capital: How can global leaders learn to better use their networks? American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference, Cleveland, OH. November.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2009). Transformative learning in action: Global organizational executives’ social capital formation experiences. International Transformative Learning Conference, Hamilton, Bermuda. November.

Nakamura, Y. T. (2009). Global organizational executives’ social capital formation experiences. Adult Education Research Conference, Chicago, IL. May.