Annika Yamashita

About Annika Yamashita

With over two decades of international experience spanning media, communications, innovation, and institutional operations, I work at the intersection of strategy, design, and organizational transformation.My career has taken me across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, shaping a global perspective on how institutions deliver impact through people, processes, technology, and physical environments.At the International Monetary Fund, I currently serve as Deputy Division Chief for Facilities, overseeing corporate operations and the Fund’s global real estate portfolio. My work focuses on aligning workplace environments, infrastructure, and real estate strategy with the evolving needs of a global institution—supporting mission delivery, organizational effectiveness, and staff experience across headquarters and international offices.Previously, I founded and led the IMF’s Creative Lab, an innovation and foresight hub that applied human-centered design and behavioral insights to complex policy communication. Under my leadership, the team evolved into an award-winning internal agency delivering digital products, campaigns, and institutional storytelling recognized with multiple international awards.Across my roles, I specialize in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex global programs, and driving institutional change in environments with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities.Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)| International MBA

Experience

1. Deputy Chief of Facilities (Corporate Real Estate)

   International Monetary Fund

   Feb 2026 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Leading corporate facilities and global real estate strategy for the IMF, overseeing the design, management, and evolution of the Fund’s global workplace environments to support mission delivery, operational excellence, and future-ready workplaces.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania

  Executive Program for Social Innovation Design , Innovation

  2019 — 2020

• Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu

  International MBA, General Management

  2005 — 2006

• Keio University

  B.A, Policy Management

  1999 — 2003

• The George Washington University

  Certification, School of Business - Project Management Certification Training Course

  2013 — 2013

Skills

• Public Relations
• Social Media
• Investor Relations
• SEO
• Publishing
• Non-Profit Marketing
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Multimedia
• Corporate Communications
• Journalism
• Media Relations
• Writing
• Strategic Communications
• Research
• Event Management
• Communications Strategy
• Speech Writing
• Internal Communications
• Project Management
• Marketing
• Management
• International Relations
• International Development
• Nonprofits
• Marketing Communications