Sachiko Kuno

Sachiko Kuno, Founder and Board President 

Dr. Kuno is a committed scientist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur whose mission is to empower others to change the world by providing the support needed to advance their innovative ideas.

Dr. Kuno founded S&R Foundation in Washington, D.C. in 2000, where she continues to serve as Board President. She launched Halcyon Incubator in 2014 to support social entrepreneurs, creating societal change through innovative business development, and also co-founded WE Capital, a female-led investment fund in Washington, D.C. In 2018, she co-founded Phoenixi Co. Inc, which operates a social incubator program in Kyoto, Japan. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations including DeNA,  and Monex Group, Inc.She also serves as Adjunct Professor at Kyoto University.

Dr. Kuno has received numerous awards over the years, including the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Greater Washington Area in the Life Sciences Category (2007), recognition as one of the 25 “Women Who Mean Business” by The Washington Business Journal (2009), one of Forbes Magazine’s Top 50 America’s Richest Self-Made Women (2015), and the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes Japan (2015). Dr. Kuno has also been awarded Stateswoman of the Year 2016 by the Harvard Business School of Japan, received the AVON Awards to Women 2016, and was listed as one of Washingtonian’s 2017 Tech Titans.

Dr. Kuno was a co-founder of R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. (Japan) and co-founder/founding CEO of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (U.S.) (sold in 2018), and successfully developed and commercialized two pharmaceutical products, Rescula Eye Drops for glaucoma and Amitiza for chronic constipation and IBS. In 2012, she also co-founded VLP Therapeutics in the U.S. to combat 21st-century global public health problems through revolutionary vaccine technology.

Dr. Kuno is a graduate of Kyoto University and received her Ph.D. in bioengineering chemistry from Kyoto University.

Marianne Chaconas

Marianne Chaconas, Vice President

Ms. Chaconas’ multifaceted background includes marketing and business management experience in the private industry in the areas of telecommunications, aerospace, Government contracting, and real estate, and in the federal government with the U.S. Treasury and U.S.Department of Defense.

She is a native Washingtonian and is a self-proclaimed animal lover, supporting several pro-animal efforts including serving for many years as a Virginia State Council member for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Chaconas serves S&R with a great appreciation for the arts, especially fine arts and dance.

Douglas Charnas

Douglas Charnas, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Member

Douglas W. Charnas is a Washington, D.C. lawyer who has represented non-profit organizations since 1984 when he left the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service to enter private practice. He has worked with S&R Foundation since its formation in 2000 and is currently a member of the Board of Directors, serving as the Secretary/Treasurer.

Charnas is a partner in the law firm of McGlinchey Stafford LLP where his practice focuses on Tax and Corporate law. He is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School. In addition to his love of music in a wide range of genres, Charnas has a passion for antique and sports cars.