KANAKO ENOMOTO

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

I came to KPU as an international student from Japan, drawn by the Global Business Management program’s practical, hands-on approach. Having worked in business development and marketing in Japan, I wanted to build a stronger foundation in North American business practices. What stood out about KPU was the small class sizes — they made it easy to engage deeply with instructors and classmates — and the focus on job-ready skills that could be applied immediately in a real work environment. It felt less like a traditional academic program and more like professional training with real-world context.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I work as a Product Coordinator at a Canadian consumer goods company — a role I stepped into directly through KPU’s internship program. I lead end-to-end development and launch of physical products, managing the full cycle from market research, supplier sourcing, and sample validation through go-to-market planning and post-launch analysis. My work involves cross-functional coordination across design, engineering, marketing, and supply chain teams, as well as managing domestic and international suppliers across Japan and China. I also design internal processes like Stage Gate frameworks for new product development, and regularly create executive-level presentations and strategic documents for leadership decision-making.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

Almost everything I learned in the program directly maps to what I do today. The strategy coursework gave me a strong foundation for understanding not just my role, but the business as a whole — which matters because I work closely with the CEO and need to connect day-to-day decisions to broader company direction. Beyond strategy, the project management, innovation, and international trade components have all proven essential. Developing physical products requires coordinating across multiple functions, navigating global supply chains, and managing timelines under real constraints — and KPU gave me the frameworks to do exactly that with confidence.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

Just start. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you take action — the clarity comes from doing, not from waiting. Every challenge you face in the real world becomes a lesson that shapes your next step, and that’s exactly how careers are built.

Also, trust the investment you’ve made in your education. Choosing to study, to grow, to put yourself in a new environment — that takes courage, and it matters. When you combine that foundation with the willingness to take action, doors will open. They did for me.