Z-Associates Inc. is managed by a team of professionals with extensive experience in Financial Services Industry.

Deep Ree: Managing Director
A founding partner of Z Associates, Mr. Ree has more than 20 years of consulting experience working with some of the largest Japanese, American and European Executive Search Firms, and has been covering wide range of products and specializations over the years. Prior to establishing Z Associates, Mr. Ree worked as a Senior Client Consultant for a leading Global Executive Search Firm. Before joining the Executive Search Industry, he worked for one of the top-tier US Investment Banks for several years. Mr.Ree has successfully placed many senior roles in all areas of Front, Middle, Back Office, and IT. Mr. Ree has Certificate of Japanese Language Proficiency, Level I from the Japanese Ministry of Education. In addition to proficiency in Japanese, Mr. Ree is equally capable of blending it with tradition and culture of Japan, having overall 30 years of experience in global markets including Japan, Asia Pacific, Europe and the US. Mr. Ree holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Kwansei Gakuin University and MBA in Finance from Asian Institute of Technology. He is a recipient of Rotary and Lions Club Scholarships.


Kazuyoshi Sasaki: Managing Partner
Mr. Sasaki is a founding partner of Z Associates and has more than 25 years of experience in Financial Services Industry. Prior to Z Associates, Mr. Sasaki worked for a Global Fortune 500 Japanese company as Deputy CFO. Mr. Sasaki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from The University of Tokyo, a Masters in Economics from Kwansei Gakuin University, and has two years of extensive training in finance from London School of Economics. Mr. Sasaki is a Native Japanese and is fluent in English.


Toshiaki Tomioka: Executive Director
Mr. Tomioka is an industry veteran with more than 40 year experience in consulting and business advisory. Prior to joining Z Associates, Mr. Tomioka established the Selection Division in the longstanding major Japanese recruitment firm, Disco Inc., and worked there for 12 years fulfilling key senior management roles including Senior Client Consultant. Before Disco, Mr. Tomioka spent eight years in the leading Japanese trading conglomerate, Mitsui & Co., in Tokyo and New York. He also worked as an independent business and marketing consultant for 15 years in Boston. Mr. Tomioka has a Bachelor’s degree from Hitotsubashi University. He is a Native Japanese and fluent in English.