Nan Sato is the CEO of Starboard Strategies. She brings extensive cross-border M&A experience, having practiced international transaction law for years while advising multinational corporations on complex mergers, acquisitions, and market entry strategies across Asia, Latin America, and North America.

Cross-Border Transaction Expertise

As head of Fisher Phillips' Tokyo office and co-chair of the firm's International Practice Group, Nan has guided clients through sophisticated M&A transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions. A U.S. attorney and Registered Foreign Lawyer in Japan, she counsels both American companies expanding internationally and foreign enterprises entering U.S. markets on employment matters, operational structuring, and regulatory compliance in deal contexts. Fluent in English, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, she navigates the cultural and legal complexities that define successful cross-border transactions.

Food Industry Leadership

Nan is also the founder and CEO of Wagyu Sommelier, where she built a direct import business connecting hundreds of small Japanese farms with U.S. distributors, restaurants, and retailers, while creating the first Wagyu certification course in partnership with Drexel University. Her hands-on experience in agricultural supply chains, international trade, and food industry operations provides unique insight into the sectors Starboard Strategies serves.

Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D., CHE, CRC is Professor and Co-Chair of Health Sciences, which encompasses Culinary, Food, Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences at Drexel University. He is the Founding Program Director of Drexel’s Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programs and the Drexel Food Lab. He is past President of the Upcycled Food Foundation and previously was the inaugural James Beard Foundation Impact Fellow, leading a national curriculum effort on food waste reduction for chefs and culinary educators. He was named a Food Waste Warrior by Foodtank. Before moving to Drexel, Deutsch built the culinary arts program at Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York (CUNY) and the Ph.D. concentration in food studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and School of Public Health. At Drexel, he directs the Drexel Food Lab, a culinary innovation and food product research and development lab focused on solving real world food system problems in the areas of sustainability, health promotion, and inclusive dining. He is the co-author or -editor of eight books including Barbecue: A Global History (with Megan Elias), Culinary Improvisation, and The Anti-Inflammatory Family Cookbook, and numerous articles in journals of food studies, public health and hospitality education.

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Henrique Antunes is  a senior financial markets and investment professional based in New York, with over 20 years of experience spanning capital markets, private equity, and strategic advisory. He previously served as Head of the Brazil GIO desk at JP Morgan in New York, following earlier roles at BNP Paribas and the Safra Group in Europe and Brazil. He has structured and executed several landmark transactions in both Brazil and the United States, including a USD 1.2 billion collar financing for a European public company and a USD 1.7 billion crossshareholding unwind for Vale and CSN. More recently, he played a key role as an investor and board member in the consolidation of Brazilian ISPs, culminating in the merger of Americanet and Vero to form Brazil's largest ISP. He holds an MBA in Finance from Insper in Brazil.

 

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Fernando Okimoto is a seasoned professional in finance and business development, with extensive experience in international investment and financing at a major financial institution. He has led a wide range of cross‑border transactions, executing complex international deals, developing business strategies, and building strategic partnerships across diverse industries and regions.

Drawing on advanced analytical and strategic planning skills cultivated in the financial sector, He provides end‑to‑end support in real‑economy fields such as food, agriculture, and fisheries. His work spans strategy formulation, market entry, investment execution, and business expansion. He is known for offering practical, market‑specific guidance that reflects local business practices, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances, enabling companies to establish sustainable growth pathways in new markets.

Leveraging a strong network particularly across the Americas, He supports clients in building relationships with local companies, investors, and distribution partners, facilitating multifaceted global expansion. He has a proven track record of creating cross‑border business opportunities and delivering strategic support that enhances corporate value.