Keiro President/CEO Miyake to Retire

Los Angeles-based Keiro released the following statement on June 24.

=*=

Keiro today announced the retirement of President and Chief Executive Officer Shawn Miyake, effective June 30, after more than 20 years of dedicated, compassionate service to seniors in the Japanese American and Japanese community.

Shawn Miyake (Rafu Shimpo photo)

“Shawn Miyake has provided invaluable care for our loved ones — parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and friends — for more than two decades at the helm of Keiro,” said Board Chairman Gary Kawaguchi. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Shawn for his commitment and years of service to Keiro, and the lasting impact his work has had on Japanese American and Japanese seniors and families.”

Earlier this year, Keiro repositioned its focus from operating long-term healthcare facilities to programmatically supporting thousands of Japanese American and Japanese older adults in Southern California. The organization is now expanding its reach from serving the 600 residents of its four former healthcare facilities to serving the 70,000 older adults in the Japanese American and Japanese community who live in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties.

As Keiro moves forward and as management needs shift following the recent sale of its facilities, the organization will conduct an extensive search for a new president and CEO with the skills, background and experience needed to guide the organization into the future. Keiro is in the process of engaging a firm to assist in its search for a new executive. With the firm’s guidance, Keiro will recruit a high-level individual well-poised to lead the organization for years to come.

Gene Kanamori

“This is a natural point for change and important next step in our organization’s evolution,” added Kawaguchi. “We are highly focused on recruiting a strong leader who will embody Keiro’s values and vision for the future, upholding Keiro’s mission to enhance the quality of life for seniors in our community.”

The Keiro Board of Directors has appointed Gene Kanamori to serve as interim president and CEO while the search process for the new president and CEO is under way. The board knows that Kanamori, having served as Keiro’s director of administration and human resources for the past 10 years, is a proven leader and the best choice for ensuring that Keiro’s services and programs continue during this transition.

“Keiro has been rooted in the Japanese American and Japanese community for more than five decades, and we look forward to building on that legacy as we evolve to meet the changing needs of our older adults,” stated Kawaguchi.

As more seniors choose to age at home, Keiro provides the support and resources to help older adults, their families, and caregivers achieve the aging experience they choose. Keiro’s programs support its mission, and are focused on improving the health and quality of life for older adults, supporting caregivers and continuing programs that support residents of Keiro’s former facilities.

“We wish Shawn all the best as he begins his well-deserved retirement after decades of extraordinary service,” added Kawaguchi.

For more information on Keiro, please visit www.keiro.org.