Philosophy Technologies

DAISHI MATSUKURA

CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO

Daishi is an explorer driven by curiosity.

He was a Chief Mission Officer at ispace, where he executed a series of fundraising for space missions. He worked not only with leading companies in various fields, such as space tech, IT software, and mobility, but also with space agencies, universities, and research institutes in numerous countries to ensure the successful space missions.

Prior to ispace, he worked as an investment banker in technology at Morgan Stanley, where he performed countless IPO/M&A deals in Japan and US. Regarding his academic career, he completed PhD course in Astrophysics & Planetary Science from Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Daishi is also the Founder&Co-CEO at wov, a philosophy lab located in Kamakura, Japan. He does philosophical mentoring for top leaders in start-ups, investment funds and universities, and his mentees awarded Forbes under 30 in Japan/Asia in 2022 and 2023. He is also a special mentor in the program of Plug and Play.

YUKO KONNO

CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO

Yuko is an active world traveler. She has experience in corporate sales at a pharmaceutical company and recruitment consulting at a recruitment agency. She studied languages and wine in France, Spain, and New Zealand before starting her own business.

Founder and CEO of Almundo, Inc., a wine import and sales company established in 2009.

As an importer with winemaking experience in Burgundy, she travels to wineries around the world to purchase high quality wines and provides wine consulting services for Michelin star restaurants and luxury hotels. In addition to the beverage industry, she has successfully completed numerous business collaborations with various industries including TV stations, embassies, department stores, real estate companies, gaming, IT, and finance.

As a female entrepreneur, she has given many lectures on entrepreneurship at universities and municipalities.
Since 2021 she has joined wov, Inc., a philosophical experience company, as co-CEO to develop and manage the business.
After two years of liberal arts studies at the University of Hawaii's College, she now resides in Silicon Valley with her two daughters.

Dr. BENJAMIN LUKEY

PHILOSOPHY ADVISOR

Benjamin Lukey received his doctorate in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. His interests in philosophy of disability, comparative philosophy, and philosophy for children (p4c) have developed from a broader goal of including more voices in philosophical discourse. Since 2007, he has been part of the p4c Hawai‘i initiative at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, piloting and developing a Philosopher in Residence project at Hawaii public high schools. He continues to support p4c Hawaii teachers and students at Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School, Kailua High School, Waikiki Elementary, Ka’elepulu Elementary, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. For “Dr. Ben”, philosophy is an activity of inquiry with others, not just a subject of study. He gets to do philosophy with people from pre-school age to retirees, from a wide variety of cultural and professional backgrounds. He is currently Associate Director for the UH Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education.

Dr. THOMAS “TOBY” YOS

PHILOSOPHY ADVISOR

Dr. Thomas “Toby” Yos is a specialist in philosophy for children (p4c) at the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. Having received a doctorate degree in Comparative Philosophy, Toby teaches University Philosophy classes. Most of his time, however, is spent working with children. An experienced practitioner of p4c, Toby works to create intellectually safe places where people can think and wonder together about meaningful questions. Toby has more than three decades of experience facilitating p4c discussions in Hawai‘i schools and has traveled around the world to share p4c Hawai‘i practices. Toby also spent 20 years counseling children within the Hawai‘i Department of Education. He has been married to his wife Beth for nearly 30 years and is the father of four children.

MD. SAKI HARA

WELLNESS BIZ DEV

Saki is a medical doctor and has a sense of philosophy. Since she was a child, She has always wondered why people die and why they get sick, which led her to aspire to become a physician. Her own experience with atopic dermatitis also prompted her to continuously pursue the question, 'How can one attain a healthy body?' As a result, Saki found her own answers along the way.

In Japan, she has integrated nutrition, neuroscience, and psychology into my treatment approach, assisting patients in transitioning away from medications and hospital visits. Currently, she is residing in Hawaii and giving back by sharing her knowledge through online consultations and seminars.

Kyle Robertson, J.D., Ph.D.

PHILOSOPHY/ETHICS ADVISOR

Kyle Robertson received his doctorate in philosophy from UC Santa Cruz, where he now teaches as a Continuing Lecturer in the Philosophy and Legal Studies departments. Before discovering his love for philosophy, Kyle earned a J.D. from UC Berkeley Law and practiced intellectual property litigation for two years at Heller Ehrman LLP in Silicon Valley.

In addition to teaching, Kyle is a program director at the Center for Public Philosophy at UC Santa Cruz. In this capacity he runs the Norcal high school ethics bowl, the San Quentin ethics bowl program, and a philosophy for children program. Kyle loves to discuss philosophical questions with people of all ages and from all walks of life. He lives in Santa Cruz, CA with his wife and two children.