Aya Mizuno is a Programme Assistant for the Governance for Sustainable Development Programme. Prior to joining UNU-IAS, she has held a variety of positions in the private and public sector, including a bank, a city office and a consulting firm. Aya gained international work experience at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) where she managed trade support and Japanese food promotion projects for MSMEs to create new business opportunities. While working for a consulting firm, she implemented food system and value chain projects between Japan and Latin America aimed at strengthening MSME’s competitiveness in the two areas. She holds an MA in Global, Business and Sustainable Development from the University of East Anglia in the UK.