Kikka Hanazawa '00 Joins the Columbia University Board of Trustees

Dear Board Members, 

I am extremely proud and excited to share the news that was announced earlier today in the Columbia News email that alumna and GS Board of Visitors member Kikka Hanazawa '00 has been named to the Columbia University Board of Trustees, which is responsible for overall governance of the University. For those of you who have attended a recent alumni event, be it Reunion, a Student-Alumni panel, or even a film screening, you will likely have seen and spoken with Kikka, whose support and availability for our School has been incredible. This is a wonderful opportunity for one of our most involved, supportive, and beloved alumni.

Kikka’s professional and philanthropic achievements and contributions are extraordinary. She is an internationally-recognized social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader focused on social impact, women’s entrepreneurship, and sustainability in the fashion world, with a passion that aligns with businesses and projects that make a positive difference to society. She is the co-Founder/CEO of Yabbey, a digital fashion library and marketplace and a co-founder of Fashion Girls for Humanity, an award-winning nonprofit organization. 

In addition to the tremendous contributions she has made to GS and our community, Kikka has served on numerous nonprofit organizations as a board member and advisor, including New York Public Library for Performing Arts Executive Director’s Council, Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Finance Committee, Asia Society’s Japanese Art Committee, New York Economic Development Corporation’s Incubator Fund, and Swarovski Foundation’s One x One Initiative in partnership with the United Nations. Kikka was also one of the first in the fashion industry to respond to the initial Covid-19 outbreak, bringing her professional experience and philanthropic passion together to help prevent spread in the critical early days of the pandemic.

I am deeply grateful for all that Kikka has done for our School and am thrilled that her commitment and contributions have been acknowledged and valued by the Trustees of Columbia University. This is an incredible moment for Kikka and our amazing School!

Sincerely,

Lisa Rosen-Metsch, ’90GS
Dean, Columbia University School of General Studies
Professor of Sociomedical Sciences