Open To Work
Elizabeth Asahi Sato
Portland
Summary
Dynamic leader with a track record of success in strategic HR management and diversity recruitment at Warner Group Inc. Achieved a 300% increase in sales through effective professional development and engagement strategies. Proficient in HRIS with strong interpersonal skills that enhance organizational excellence and promote inclusivity.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder/CEO/Senior Consultant
Rise to Excellence, LLC
Portland
01.2005 - Current
- Founder/CEO, guiding a diverse team of consultants, evaluators and trainers to coach excellence. Providing expertise to private, nonprofit, tribal and public sector organizations with emphasis on employee management, HR Administration, DEIBAJ, Healthcare Initiatives and Operational best practices
- Guided consultancy teams in delivering comprehensive Scope of Work for client requests.
- Analyzed organizational capability in human resource administration, enhancing compensation and benefits management.
- Coached in Leadership Training and Development for Executives and Board members.
- Mentored entrepreneurs on launch, long term business development and organizational capacity building.
- Trained on sustainable fundraising and development strategies.
- Enhanced network integration by establishing diverse key partnerships and improving stakeholder collaboration.
Work Experience
Various
USA and globally
01.1975 - 01.2024
- Accelerated market reach by 100% for implants and instruments at Warner Group Inc. through strategic operations direction.
- Led recruitment initiatives, enhancing effectiveness by 30% for Repower, a national women of color leadership organization.
- Served as executive director at Wiconi International, strengthening Native American advocacy across 24+ communities.
- Coached 45 leaders at Clark Community College, improving leadership skills and implementing best practices.
- Implemented capacity-building strategies to strengthen organizational structures at JPNAC Native Arts Association.
- Facilitated alignment of fundraising efforts with organizational mission at Portland Fire Association.
- Diversified development and fundraising strategies with the American Leadership Forum of Oregon.
- Engaged with migrant field workers, environmental advocates, creative arts, cultural faith expressions, tech experts, homelessness relief, and indigenous leadership.
HR Director
Pit River Tribes
Burney and Alturas
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Launched HR Dept. for 13 Tribe Bands; coached GMs on business management and capacity building.
- Secured $200,000 in under an hour for Tribe's inaugural Employee Appreciation Dinner and Excellence Awards, enhancing staff morale and recognizing 120 achievers.
- Led recruitment efforts to attract diverse candidates within the community.
- Developed HR policies aligned with tribal values and compliance requirements.
- Facilitated training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
Human Resources Director
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Warm Springs
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Revamped outdated HR Department, implementing first HHRIS system and increasing HR budget $3.5 M, doubling staffing levels
- Enhanced departmental capabilities through successful federal and state grant writing, resulting in increased resources to provide training
- Reviewed organization-wide policies and procedures with legal and executive teams, updating and implementing training for compliance
- Enhanced compensation and benefits packages while overseeing workers' compensation claims in Oregon.
- Led CTWS Workforce Development and Higher Education programs, collaborating with Tribal Council on local and statewide employment trends
- Collaborated with Tribes IHS Clinic, housing programs, Community Action agencies, and Managed Care program to streamline service offerings
- Procured and installed modern workstations, equipment, and technology to enhance operational efficiency
- Federally Recognized, Treaty Tribes of three bands Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute
Vice President of Human Resources and Operations
The Warner Group, Inc
Portland
01.1990 - 01.2005
- Collaborated with CEO to establish HR and operations, overseeing diversity recruitment, onboarding, surgeon and hospital account management, and staff training to enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Achieved the prestigious Johnson and Johnson Presidents Award two years in a row for surpassing national sales targets and exemplifying organizational excellence.
- Coached nationwide distributor within Johnson & Johnson to recruit and hire diverse candidates, including BIPOC and women spine specialists, increasing inclusivity in the industry.
- Conducted market research and analysis on the rapidly growing Spine industry, supporting the President/CEO's vision to expand the distributorship's product line, increasing sales 300%, which is unheard of in the industry.
- Designed and implemented educational and training resources for spine specialists, enabling adaptation to evolving medical knowledge and enhancing service delivery.
- Organized educational surgical cadaver and Osteobiologics surgeon training, resulting in a significant increase in neurosurgeon customers.
- Acknowledged as top minority distributor by Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs for exceptional service.
Education
Candidate Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
Columbia International University
South Carolina01.2028
Master's in Public Administration - Executive MPA
Portland State University
Portland, Oregon01.2022
Graduate Certificate - Public Sector Government Leadership
Seoul National University
Seoul, South Korea01.2021
THRP Tribal Human Resources Certification -
NNHARA National Native American Human Resource Professionals Association
Albuquerque, New Mexico01.2018
Graduate Certificate - Nonprofit Leadership and Management
PSU Center for Leadership
Portland, Oregon01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Ethnic Studies
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon01.1980
International Studies Certificate - Kokusaibu
Waseda University
Tokyo, Japan01.1977
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- HR management
- Diversity recruitment
- Effective onboarding
- Professional development
- Performance evaluation
- Engagement strategies
- Public policy knowledge
- Research writing
- Artificial intelligence understanding
- HRIS knowledge
- Benefits administration
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Excel proficiency
- Design software proficiency
- Virtual communication tools
- Team collaboration tools
- Decision-making skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Continuous learning mindset
- Accountability practices
- Emotional intelligence skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Adaptability
- Presentation expertise
- Adaptability
Academic Training And Education
- Candidate Ph.D. Organizational Leadership, Columbia International University, 01/01/26, 12/31/28, South Carolina
- Master's in Public Administration (Executive MPA), Portland State University Hatfield School of Government Center for Public Service, 01/01/19, 12/31/22, Portland, Oregon
- Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Government Leadership, Seoul National University, 01/01/20, 12/31/21, Seoul, South Korea
- THRP Tribal Human Resources Certification, NNHARA National Native American Human Resource Professionals Association, 2018, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, PSU Center for Leadership, 01/01/17, 12/31/18, Portland, Oregon
- International Studies Certificate-Kokusaibu, Waseda University, 01/01/76, 12/31/77, Tokyo, Japan
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Ethnic Studies, University of Oregon, 01/01/75, 12/31/80, Eugene, Oregon
Training And Development
- Cost-effective Compensation and Benefits Analysis
- Effective Policies and Procedures
- Organizational Best Practices
- Sound Corporate and Nonprofit Board Management
- Business Planning
- Organizational Change
- Program & Project Management and Execution
- Native American Human Resource Employment Law
- E-verify and HRSI
- Ethical HR practices
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Leadership Training
- Organizational SWOT Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Effective Team Building
- Human Resources Administration
- Management Effectiveness
- Collaborative Partnerships
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Customer Service Excellence
- DEIJ Practitioners Conference
- How to take time off effectively
Development And Fundraising
- Effective Grant and Proposal Writing
- Effective approaches to major donor development
- Fundraising Strategic Plan
- Capital Campaigns
- Fundraising Appeals
- Diversification of income streams
- Genuine and Ethical Stewardship
- Organizational Capacity Building
- 501C3 application and acquisition process
- Nonprofit Launch
- Grants and contracts
- Social Media Appeals
- Organizational Capacity Building Grants
- Request for Proposal
- Responses to RFP's
- Major Program Grants
Research Capabilities
donor surveys, volunteers surveys, nonprofit client satisfaction surveys, charity surveys, surveys among stakeholders, effective communications, surveys for staff, event-planning forms, post-event survey, Stakeholder surveys, SWOT Analysis, prospect research, donor research, market research, vendor research and analysis, due diligence research, scope of work research, community background research, risk assessment, GIS review
Capabilities And Skills
- Strategic and Authentic Leadership
- Diversity Recruitment & Retention
- Effective Hiring Onboarding & Orientation
- Professional Training and Development
- Functional Performance Evaluation
- Research and Proposal writing
- Benefits and Payroll Administration
- Proactive Employee Engagement
- HR staff Improvement & Management
- Canva
- Microsoft Office
- Public Policy
- Zoom
- Google G-suite
- Communication
- Presentation Skills
- Artificial Intelligence
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Teams
- Acrobat
- Time Management
- Decision-Making
- Accountability
- Continuous Learning
- Problem-Solving
- HRIS
- Pug
- FEA
- NPM
- Emotional Intelligence
- Resilience
- Interpersonal Skills
- Adaptability
Leadership Awards And Recognition
- O-Magazine, American Express, White House Project Top 80 National Emerging Leaders
- Woman of Achievement, IRIS Awards in Southwest Washington
- Alumna-Leadership Clark County, Southwest Washington
- Optimist International- “Making a Difference for Women Award.”
- Featured in Colors of Influence online publication and in the American Diversity Report
- Women of Faith in Leadership-Murdock Charitable Trust
- Inclusiveness and Justice Standing Committee NCCC/USA-Board Member
- Oregon State Board of Higher Education- Gubernatorial appointee
- Official Ambassador-appointed by Governor Victor Atiyeh to represent the State of Oregon at the JFK Memorial Library opening ceremonies in Boston.
- Gubernatorial appointee Washington Secretary of State Commission on State combined Federal campaign
- The NAACP, Vancouver Chapter—Emcee, annual dinner Fundraiser event
- Mayoral Appointee to the Commission on the Rights of Minorities-Eugene, Oregon
- Commencement Speaker (twice) for the University of Oregon Law School shared the platform with Senator Julian Bond and Dr. Derrick Bell (U of O & Harvard Law School)
Publications
- How the Confusion about Tribal Sovereignty Impacts Workforce Laws and this Practitioner’s Recommendations, Elizabeth Asahi Sato, Executive MPA, 2021, Center for Public Service
- Serving Indian Country by Creating Opportunities, Dr Maileen Hamto, 2017, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/serving-indian-country-creating-opportunities-maileen-hamto-mba/
Professional Board Service
Diverse Leadership Expertise, 01/01/07, 12/31/25, Pacific Northwest, Gubernatorial appointee: OR State Higher Ed Board; Mayoral appointee: Eugene Human Rights Comm.; Board Elected: Nat'l Native Am. HR Assoc.; Appointee: Nat'l Council of Churches; Gubernatorial appointee: WA Sec. Of State Advisory., Guided strategic and operational planning with Board of Directors, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and goals., Developed and implemented annual operating plans and strategic objectives in collaboration with partners and stakeholders., Established and maintained productive relationships with agencies, officials, and media to enhance statewide and national presence., Oversaw financial operations, ensuring compliance with financial reporting requirements, budget management, standard payroll and commission structures as well as funding., Developed programs, policies, and organizational structures to achieve strategic goals and improve role clarity., Monitored external influences, communicated impacts to members and stakeholders, and collaborated with lobbyists on political advocacy., Managed internal and external resources, including contractors and staff, to optimize efficiency and performance.
Professional Achievements
- Funding Growth Success, Increased funding resources by 50% through strategic fundraising initiatives and operational oversight improvements.
- Cost Reduction Initiative, Streamlined processes leading to a 40% reduction in costs, enhancing organizational change capabilities.
- Operational Efficiency Enhancement, Achieved a 30% improvement in operational efficiency via strategic management and effective oversight practices.
Timeline
HR Director
Pit River Tribes
01.2017 - 01.2020
Human Resources Director
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
01.2014 - 01.2017
Founder/CEO/Senior Consultant
Rise to Excellence, LLC
01.2005 - Current
Vice President of Human Resources and Operations
The Warner Group, Inc
01.1990 - 01.2005
Work Experience
Various
01.1975 - 01.2024
Candidate Ph.D. - Organizational Leadership
Columbia International University
Master's in Public Administration - Executive MPA
Portland State University
Graduate Certificate - Public Sector Government Leadership
Seoul National University
THRP Tribal Human Resources Certification -
NNHARA National Native American Human Resource Professionals Association
Graduate Certificate - Nonprofit Leadership and Management
PSU Center for Leadership
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Ethnic Studies
University of Oregon
International Studies Certificate - Kokusaibu
Waseda University