About Us.
Innovating the Future of Education and Sports
K2 GlobeAthlete, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that was founded in 2025 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Our primary goal is to leverage sports as a universal language to support and empower children and athletes who aspire to gain international experience.
We actively work every day to create a future where everyone has the choice to pursue opportunities, whether domestically or internationally.
Furthermore, we are dedicated to promoting knowledge in sports nutrition among children. By doing so, we aim to foster their healthy and robust growth throughout their lives and support a bright future.
Kana Kendziera ケンジエラ 佳奈 (川上 佳奈)
Founder and CEO
A graduate of the University of Aoyama gakuin Class of 2007, Kana brings a wealth of high-level experience to youth development. This includes serving as a Master Coach for a leading club program for five years.
On the competitive side, she is a Former Japanese National Team Player U18–U23 and competed professionally in the European Volleyball League. This background ensures world-class insights and coaching standards for all K2 GlobeAthlete programs.
Core Founding members
Advisor Team
Akiko Hasegawa 長谷川 暁子（内田 暁子）
University of Aoyamagakuin in 2007.
Akiko is a Former Pro Beach Volleyball Player who competed for the Paris 2024 Olympics, achieving a top ranking in Asia and World No. 9. They played professionally for NEC Red Rockets and served on the Japanese National Team (U23).
Miyuki Kaneko 金子 美幸（秋山 美幸）
University of Aoyamagakuin in 2006.
Miyuki played for the U23 Japanese National Team and professionally for NEC Red Rockets.
Following her playing career, she transitioned to coaching, where she served as the Head Coach of a D1 collegiate team in Japan, leading them to two National Championships.
Kana Oyama 緒方 加奈（大山 加奈）
Kana played for the Japanese National Team from 2001 to 2010, competing in multiple overseas tournaments, World Championships, and the 2004 Olympics. She also represented Japan on the U-16 and U-18 Japanese National Teams and played professionally for Toray Arrows. Following her competitive career, she became active as a Volleyball Commentator for domestic and international tournaments and serves as a Youth Volleyball Clinic Instructor.
Akiko Imamura 今村 亜希子 (井野 亜希子)
Akiko represented Japan on the U-18 National Team and played for the Japanese National Team from 2006 to 2011, competing in multiple overseas tournaments and World Championships, where the team achieved a World No. 3 ranking.
Her professional club career includes playing for Hitachi Rivale and NEC Red Rockets in Japan, as well as European and Asian leagues with RC Cannes in France and Baki-Azeryol in Azerbaijan.
Key Partner
Yosuke Hatano 波多野 陽介
Yosuke holds a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Sports Management (2017) from AISTS (Switzerland). Following his graduation, he served as an Experienced Sports Marketing Professional, previously leading the global strategy for a Swiss watch brand, where he managed over 20 professional athletes and coordinated various global events, with a focus on Urban Sports initiatives. Subsequently, from 2018 to 2021, he worked for the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) as a Beach Volleyball Project Manager, overseeing major events including the World Championships and the Tokyo Olympic Games. He is also an FIVB Licensed Agent (2025–), connecting talent with global opportunities.
Associated Collaborators
Megumi Ishikawa 石川 慈
Founder of Global Kids Judo Network