Paul Tokunaga

Paul is a third-generation Japanese American from San Jose, California. He was an undergraduate student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he earned a B.S. of Journalism in 1973. Paul went on to earn a Masters of Christian Studies in 1989 at New College Berkeley.

He has been employed by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 1973 in a variety of leadership and management roles, including National Asian American Ministry Coordinator for 14 years and Vice-President, Director of Strategic Ministries, for nine years. He is current serving as Executive Coach and Senior Consultant.

Paul is a co-author of two multiethnic leadership books as well as the author of Invitation to Lead: Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders, currently in its ninth printing.

He is the lead creator of The Daniel Project, the Prospective Senior Leaders Cohort, two 15-month intensive leadership programs to prepare potential senior leaders as well as Managing and Leading Ethnic Diversity.

Since 2003, 12 Daniel Project cohorts have been run with 136 mid-level managers trained. Of the 14 most recent internal vice-presidents appointed, 12 were participants in the Prospective Senior Leaders Cohorts. Over 250 of InterVarsity’s managers have been trained in Managing and Leading Diversity.

In May 2017, Paul created MELD, LLC, a training company working with NCAA athletic departments, corporate and non-profits dealing with racial issues and developing cross-cultural competencies (meldnow.com).

Paul, his wife Margaret and son Sam reside in Atlanta, Georgia.