Yas Kohaya
About Yas Kohaya
Yas Kohaya is the Lead of Strategic Business Relationships at Joby Aviation, where he has worked since 2020. He has a diverse background in the automotive industry, with significant experience at Toyota Motor Corporation and its subsidiaries, focusing on strategic partnerships and innovation in air mobility and autonomous vehicles.
Current Role at Joby Aviation
Yas Kohaya serves as the Lead of Strategic Business Relationships at Joby Aviation. He has held this position since 2020, contributing to the company's focus on air mobility. His role involves developing and managing strategic partnerships that align with Joby Aviation's objectives in the evolving transportation landscape.
Previous Experience at Toyota
Kohaya has extensive experience at Toyota Motor Corporation, where he held multiple roles over several years. His positions included Project Manager for Alternative Fuel Vehicles Business Strategy, Lexus Product and Brand Strategy Manager, and Strategic Product and Business Planning Manager. He also served as Director of New Product Planning at Toyota Research Institute for a brief period in 2016.
Education and Expertise
Yas Kohaya holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied from 1992 to 1996. He furthered his education with a Master of Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1997 and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management from 2005 to 2007. His academic background supports his expertise in strategic partnerships and innovation in the automotive and air mobility sectors.
Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
Kohaya has a strong background in strategic partnerships and open innovation, particularly within the air mobility and autonomous vehicles sectors. He played a key role in the strategic partnership between Toyota and Tesla, focusing on new product and business strategies. His work has involved engaging with technology startups and venture capital to integrate disruptive technologies into the mobility business.
Advisory Role at Toyota Research Institute
During his tenure at Toyota Research Institute from 2017 to 2020, Yas Kohaya acted as Chief Liaison Officer. In this capacity, he advised the CEO on strategic and operational decisions, bridging the gap between the research institute and Toyota's headquarters. His contributions were significant in shaping the direction of the company's research and development efforts.