Maria Ichizawa is part of Morgan Stanley’s Global Sustainability Office, where she supports the development of sustainable finance products and advice for clients across the firm’s Institutional Securities, Investment Management, and Wealth Management divisions, and leads the firm’s global sustainable finance initiatives in Japan.  

She picked up the viola at age nine when her elementary school offered free music lessons and was lucky to receive scholarships for music lessons throughout high school and college. Her academic and career journey has carried her to Paris, Tokyo, London, and now New York, and she always brought along her viola, which helped her make new friends and find community. From orchestras and string quartets to improv jam sessions, she loves connecting with people through music. 

Maria holds a BA in Asian Studies and French from Vassar College, and an MBA from the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.