Meet the Managing Team!

Akiko Maeker, PhD

Principal Partner - Coaching

Akiko is Interculturalist's Visionary. Akiko is driven to make positive changes. Her trust-based, empathetic, and hope-full attitude toward you will be contagious. She will trust in your talents and potential for becoming a leader in your organization and elsewhere. Akiko's hope is to create spaces where everyone can bring their talents and whole personhood to the places that matter most to them, whether it's work, school, or another organization. Akiko's high professional ethics come from her love and commitment to what she does and the clients she serves. As a trained coach, Akiko's listening skills will allow you to immediately feel at ease in talking about your goals, needs, interests, and/or concerns. You will leave conversations with her encouraged, inspired, and motivated. When you work with Akiko, you will reflect and learn from the past as well as look to the future with positivity. Akiko will envision your future with you. 

Ph.D., Organizational Leadership Policy and Development, University of Minnesota, USA
M.A., Comparative and International Development Education, University of Minnesota, USA
B.A., Intercultural Studies, Kobe College, Japan
International Coach Federation (ICF) Trained Coach
Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrater
Intercultural Development Inventory Qalifying Seminar Faculty
Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Certified Trainer

Paul Maeker

Partner - Training

Paul is Interculturalist's Creative Mind. Paul likes making ideas connect and sees clients as a partner in a creative and innovative process. Paul's joy is to collaborate with you to find solutions, design future directions, and/or develop new tools and frameworks that will improve and enhance your work. Paul's curious mind is always exploring new ways to connect intercultural ideas to what's important to you. He likes creating new technology options, constantly adding to his professional toolbox. Paul is a rare mix of right and left brains. He has solid analytical intelligence as well as a fun-loving creative mind, which allows him to be a great partner in designing customized training programs and other educational processes. Paul will enjoy working side-by-side with you. 

Ph.D. Student, Organizational Leadership Policy and Development, University of Minnesota, USA
M.A., Comparative and International Development Education, University of Minnesota, USA
B.A., Political Science/Theology/International Studies, Texas Lutheran College, USA
Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrater
Intercultural Development Inventory Connections Moderator
Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Certified Trainer

Lisa Schulte

Partner - Operations

Lisa is Interculturalist's Anchor. Lisa holds Interculturalist's ground operation in one solid and steady piece. In meeting Lisa, you will notice how approachable and accessible she is. She is always constructive in her thinking and will follow through with projects. It's easy to trust her as your partner in achieving your goals. You can feel ensured that Lisa will be there to answer your questions, work with you to manage the logistics as smoothly as possible, and maintain and grow the relationship between you and Interculturalist with great care and professionalism.

B.A., Japanese Language and Foreign Studies, University of Minnesota
Japanese Ministry of Education and Science Scholarship in Cross-Cultural Studies
Over 20 years of experience owning and operating businesses with a multicultural/multinational clientele and focus