The Art of Storytelling: Changing the World One Story at a Time

SVJP hosted our April Benkyokai to hear from one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020, and the person who brought you The Social Dilemma, Ali Wong and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. “You can tell which projects are hers because they foster empathy, compassion and understanding.”

Lisa Nishimura, Vice President, Original Documentary and Independent Films at Netflix, is broadening the range of the public’s thoughts and experiences by allowing viewers to “walk in another person’s shoes” from the safety of their home.  Lisa shared how her influence on Netflix goes beyond entertainment to social challenges we face today, and how her Japanese-American upbringing guided it.  The discussion was moderated by Dr. John Maeda, SVP Chief Experience Officer at Everbridge.

Lisa Nishimura’s Profile

Lisa Nishimura is Vice President, Original Documentary and Independent Films at Netflix. A 13-year Netflix veteran, Nishimura oversees the company’s documentaries and  independent films. Providing storytellers of all backgrounds with a global platform where they can share their unique narratives around the world–across geographies, languages, genders, cultures, experiences and perspectives is a key focus for Lisa and the creative team.

The current slate of documentaries including Crip Camp, The Social Dilemma, Dick Johnson is Dead and My Octopus Teacher showcase her commitment to female documentarians and compelling storytelling. The Netflix Independent films team is responsible for films such as To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and Outside the Wire starring Anthony Mackie. Some upcoming titles include Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, the Fear Street trilogy, Antonie Fuqua’s The Guilty, as well as recent acquisitions such as Pieces of a Woman,  I Care A Lot and Worth.

Dr. John Maeda’s Profile

American technologist and product experience leader bridging business, engineering, design via working inclusively. SVP Chief Customer Experience Officer at Everbridge working on the future of Critical Event Management technologies for saving lives and keeping businesses and society running. #safetyeatstheworld

MIT-trained computer scientist, both risk manager (MBA effect) and risk taker (learner effect), and seasoned for-profit/non-profit growth executive. Author of five books including the new How To Speak Machine and the bestselling Laws of Simplicity. Recently EVP/CXO of IT consultancy Publicis Sapient serving digital transformation needs globally across industries plus FED/SLED with the LEAD (Light, Ethical, Accessible, Dataful) system. Board of Directors at Sonos and the Smithsonian Design Museum, former President/CEO of Rhode Island School of Design and Partner at Kleiner Perkins venture capital in Silicon Valley. During his early career, Dr. Maeda was an MIT research professor in computational design represented in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and recipient of the White House’s National Design Award. He has appeared as a speaker all over the world, from Davos to Beijing to São Paulo to New York, and his talks for TED have received millions of views.

“Maeda is to design what Warren Buffett is to finance.” —Wired Magazine