Our Team

Shanti Shoji serves as the director of programs at Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA), overseeing the development and management of grants and programs.

Shanti has spent her entire career in U.S.-Japan relations, which includes six years in Japan and 16 years in Washington, DC, covering issues ranging from grassroots diplomacy to foreign policy. Most recently in her work at Sasakawa USA, she launched the Sasakawa USA Women’s Advancement Network (SWAN) as well as activities that focus on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) within the framework of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Prior to joining Sasakawa USA Shanti taught English in Japan on the JET Program and co-founded the educational non-profit Kizuna Across Cultures. She currently serves as a board member for Kizuna Across Cultures and American Friends of The International House of Japan. Ms. Shoji earned her master’s degree in international communication from American University’s School of International Service and received bachelor’s degrees in Japanese language and international studies from the University of Oregon.