Tina Furuki – VP, Global Marketing, Creative & Digital Communications
From a suburb of Cleveland, OH. Living in Washington, DC.
I joined BSA in 2008 and oversee brand, marketing, and digital strategies. Previously, I worked at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where I was responsible for global digital communications and web production. Prior to that, I was Communications Director and Magazine Editor for the American Advertising Federation.
What/who inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
I was an English literature major and assumed I’d go into publishing or attend law school. But I had a few unusual and forward-looking English professors who taught courses that required learning HTML and building websites. I built my first website in the late ‘90s in a computer lab because, like most of my friends, I didn’t have a personal computer until well after I graduated. That coding foundation was instrumental in opening doors to jobs that didn’t even exist when I was in college. But because my background wasn’t just technical, I was able to apply my editorial, research, and publishing skills to those jobs and build strong brands that reflect the incredible companies and experts I’ve worked with.
What’s the most unique part about working at BSA?
I’ve worked with terrific people over my many years at BSA. Smart, diverse, talented colleagues across the globe, who are engaged and dedicated, but also have fun. I’m particularly grateful to work with a great web and communications team that is hardworking, kind, and enjoys a little pop culture!
What advice can you give someone who just started their career/wants to pursue a similar career?
Learning new skills and adopting new technologies helps you in every role, in every sector. Pursue your passion, but use technology to get you there and help you to grow.
Tell us one fun fact about you (that might surprise your colleagues).
When I was very young, my dad raced cars as a hobby — specifically TVRs, the little British sports cars — with the Sports Car Club of America. We drove to races across the United States, with the TVR in tow.
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
I have a pinky promise with a dear friend to go to all the tennis majors. So far, I’ve been to the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open, but we still need to check the box on Wimbledon.
Favorite spot in your hometown, or current city?
As a big art lover, I’m spoiled by Washington’s art museums (The Phillips Collection, National Museum of Women in the Arts, American Art Museum, National Gallery, and Hirshhorn, to name a few favorites).
I especially love the work of the Washington Color School, a movement that began in DC in the late ‘50s and focused primarily on abstract color field painting. It included artists like Gene Davis, Sam Gilliam, and the brilliant Alma Thomas, who was the first African American woman to have her work displayed in the White House. I was thrilled to see this painting in the White House dining room on our tour with BSA’s inaugural class of Girls Who Code in 2015.
Do you have any pets, and if so, what do you have?
My husband and I have a little dog, Artie, who is an absolute joy and a tiny clown.
