Principal Members

Yuki Nakanishi

During her 15+ years of marketing and consulting practice, Yuki has introduced the concept of “Circular Marketing” and “Lifestyle Marketing” that empowered a number of multinational clients. Considered one of the most creative strategists in the field, she has delivered one-of-a-kind remedies for start-ups, small businesses and large corporations, especially in the area of business creation & growth strategy, new business & infrastructure set-ups, formation of partnerships & strategic alliances, M&A and integrated marketing strategy & tactic planning. Prior to Aruma, she worked for CNA Financial Corporation/RVI Group as AVP and VP. Yuki holds a BA in Anthropology & Economics with Distinctions from New York University and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at NYU.


Gabriela Almonacid, Chief Consultant, Research Strategy

Gabriela has over twelve years of consulting and business strategy experience in the financial services sector with AIG, LoBue Associates, Ernst & Young, and Merrill Lynch. Her expertise lies in logically constructed analytical research and formation of prudent growth strategy. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Brazil, and an M.B.A. from Stern School of Business at New York University. Gabriela is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, and is conversant in French.


Slawomir "Slavek" Biernat, Vice President, Corporate Finance and Business Development

Mr. Biernat has twenty years of experience in Accounting and Finance in the U.S. During his career, Mr. Biernat has moved through ranks of an analyst, manager and CFO. He has worked for a number of industries and companies including Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (German pharmaceutical company), Pepsico, Inc. (soft drink and snacks), Crane Co. (engineered industrial products), Motivano, Inc. (employee benefits technology), and Memry Corporation (metal components for medical devices). At Aruma, Inc., Mr. Biernat is responsible for all aspects of financial analysis, market research, merges and acquisitions, and new business development. Mr. Biernat holds an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University, M.S. in Accounting from Western Connecticut State University, and B.S. and M.S. from Warsaw School of Economics in Warsaw, Poland. Mr. Biernat is fluent in English and Polish and has basic knowledge of Russian.


Sanjay S. Pradhan, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development

Sanjay specializes in the marketing of corporations, their engineering and industrial products, developing sales networks and in brand influence programs. A critical component of his work is nurturing strategic partnerships between companies to encourage synergistic marketing. Sanjay focuses on the manufactured products such as steel, tubing, castings, automotive and fabrication. He also works closely with important industry sales organizations, distributors, trade groups, and institutional and private investors. Sanjay's geographical area of expertise is North America and India, where his network reaches key industrial figures and governmental organizations. In addition to holding a dual MBA in Marketing and Information Systems from Fordham University, Sanjay holds a MA from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University. His previous work included heading marketing departments and managing marketing agencies. Sanjay is well-versed in data management, web technologies, creative production and media. He is also Managing Director of Mantra Marketing, LLC, located in New York City.

Dr. Bernard Munk, Special Advisory Member

Dr. Bernard E. Munk is Principal of Munk Advisory Services, a financial advisory service for professional investors and investment managers. Since 1998, Bernie has served as an economist and strategist for hedge funds and family offices, bringing together his experience as a professional economist and businessmen to provide investment advice. During his 22 years in the business world, Bernie was actively involved in international trade/foreign direct investment, doing business in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia (He has been involved with Japan for nearly 35 years), founded and operated 6 different companies in the US and overseas. Academically, he has served on Economics Faculties of the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, the Wharton School of Pennsylvania University and the Graduate Business School at Chicago University. He has also served as Visiting Professor at the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System. Bernie holds BA, MA and Ph.D from the University of Chicago.

Kaz Takane, Director Entertainment Division (Tokyo)

As a Director of Entertainment Division, Kaz Takane represents ARUMA, Inc.’s entertainment business in Japan. Kaz also functions as liaison between Japanese clients and ARUMA’s HQ in New York. His diversified experience includes trading of pet food & pet care and innovative beauty/health care products from the US & Europe toJapan. He based in Los Angeles and Amsterdam for over ten years. He holds BS from Rikkyo University in Tokyo.

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