After two decades in institutional finance, June Nagao co-founded the Paulownia Group to focus on impact investing, seeking to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. Her commitment to cross-cultural inclusion extends to her role as Vice President of GONGOVA, an NGO fostering collaboration between Japan and Thailand.

A 2020 recipient of the HAA Award for outstanding service, Nagao is deeply dedicated to building equitable Harvard networks. She has volunteered her time with the Harvard Club of Japan, working to develop a global community for Asian and Asian-American alumni. She also serves as secretary for the Harvard Alumni in the IMPACT Shared Interest Group.

During the pandemic, Nagao proactively advocated for alumni to support stranded international students, stressing that "where we can really add value is, for instance, one-on-one mentoring.” Recognizing the importance of diverse representation in University governance, she has championed online voting, noting it especially helps empower the community of international alumni. As an Elected Director candidate, she aims to "bridge divides at a time of growing polarization by engaging across differences with curiosity and respect," applying her experience to "synthesize diverse perspectives and build trust" within the global Harvard community.