HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatement of Interest and Qualifications_Mikiyo Aoki
Mikiyo Aoki
3019 Erwin Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 581-6521
Bozeman City Commission,
I once heard an interesting thought experiment. It opens with the
following scenario: you have been saving for months to buy an expensive new
dress and are on your way home along a deserted road. As you walk, you hear
the cries of a child who is drowning in a nearby lake. You can dive in to save
him but doing so will ruin your new dress. Do you save the child? The answer
is always a clear and immediate yes. After all, a child's life is at stake! The
thought experiment ends by posing the following question: For the price of a
new dress you could save dozens of children's lives in Africa, so why don't we
feel the same immediate call to action? The answer is multifaceted and has
altered the way I approach decision making.
We see more strangers walking for 15 min in a busy airport, than our
ancestors encountered in their entire lifetime. Our brains are wired to focus on
actionable change within our tribes (or communities). Oftentimes our best laid
plans end up causing more harm than good when we can't process the effects
our actions will have. Let's look at an example. Each year for the Superbowl
they prepare by creating Super Bowl Champion t-shirts for both teams. That
way, regardless of the outcome, they will be prepared. This also means there
will be a vast quantity of merchandise that will never be sold. Hoping to
provide clothing for families in need, this merchandise is sent to impoverished
countries. However, what was not accounted for, was how this charitable
donation would affect the local economies. In some cases, such as in East
Africa, this negatively affected the local textile industry. A kind hearted gesture
resulted in further harm because of a disconnection from the environment and
its inhabitants. To make the greatest impact, it's essential that we focus first on
our local environment. Our communities are where we have the deepest
understanding of what needs to be done to help others. And rather than being
a faceless number or demographic, it is also where we have the greatest
ability to catalyze change. This is why I am interested in becoming a Bozeman
city commissioner. Because Bozeman is my home, and I believe through this
role, I will best be able to serve my community.
I grew up at the base of the Bridgers, from kindergarten to Bozeman
High, to starting my first job at RightNow Technologies, I watched as the city
grew and evolved. My mom has worked her entire career in the local non
profit sector, while my dad, and later my brother, started small businesses.
Over the years I've befriended Bozeman residents from all walks of life. From
real estate developers, to hunting and fishing guides. I believe I have a deep
understanding of the community from various and sometimes competing
perspectives.
I have written so far about my motivation for applying. But perhaps of
greater interest, is what value I can bring to the table. While I do not have a
background in politics, I believe I can bring an equal degree of contribution
through my knowledge and experience within the software sector. While
reading through the Strategic Plan for the city I noticed various goals and
initiatives centered around technology. A few of these initiatives include
strengthening means of communication, increasing transparency and access
of data, implementation of Public Safety Technology Systems, development of
Data Analysis Tools, as well as analysis of data and performance metrics.
These are all goals I believe I could provide strong leadership towards. I
started my career at RightNow Technologies, from there I worked nearly six
years at Oracle as one of five Demo Architects supporting all North American
sales. I helped strategize and build demos for some of the world's largest
companies including Nike, Starbucks, and American Express. I was able to
develop a strong understanding of software, its utilization, and scalability.
From there I worked for a small startup in Bozeman before moving to my
current role at Salesforce. I couldn't help but notice on the Strategic Plan all
graphs feature the logo for Tableau, a subsidiary of my current employer.
Reading through all the plans surrounding technology I felt optimistic that I
would be able to provide direction and leadership to help drive these
initiatives forward.
I wanted to close by noting my appreciation for the direction Bozeman
has taken. As a resident I have been grateful for all the improvements and
planning that have been so thoughtfully and skillfully executed. From walking
through the new Story Mill Community Park, to watching the development of
new schools and neighborhoods, it has been clear how much consideration
and planning has gone into the city's development. I would be honored to
contribute any knowledge or expertise I have learned in service of our great
community.
Thank you for your consideration,
Mikiyo Aoki