Jayson Yano

Associate Director, New York

In a world where consulting can be defined by PowerPoints and spreadsheets, Jayson Yano stands out as someone who brings strategy, passion, and a coach’s instinct for team building. Currently an Associate Director and Program Manager for Protiviti’s Innovation Program, Jayson’s path to his role started in what is perhaps a more unexpected location: the baseball diamond.

Before joining Protiviti, Jayson played professional baseball with the Windy City Thunderbolts, an experience that taught him the value of hard work, adaptability, and resilience. With nearly nine years at Protiviti and a sabbatical under his belt to coach collegiate baseball’s top prospects, Jayson’s story is one of dual passions: the precision of consulting and the strategy of sports. His ability to merge these worlds has made him a driving force behind some of Protiviti’s most innovative solutions.

"We’re not just delivering solutions – we’re empowering our clients to make better decisions and focus on what matters most"

Building Teams That Win—On and Off the Field

For Jayson, coaching isn’t just a pastime; it’s a philosophy. “I have a long-term view on people,” he says, reflecting on how his time coaching college baseball informs his approach to leadership. Whether he’s focused on defensive alignments, setting a lineup, or assembling a team for a client project, Jayson sees the potential in individuals and focuses on development and team building.

His 2021 sabbatical to coach a summer collegiate baseball team in Wisconsin was more than a break from consulting – it was a masterclass in leadership, team building and communication. The team, composed of players from powerhouse conferences like the SEC and Big Ten, thrived under his guidance. “We had 17 players drafted, and four are now in the majors,” he recalls.

That experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and trust – qualities Jayson now brings to Protiviti’s global innovation program. “You have to get to know your players, understand their strengths, and set them up for success,” he explains. 

A Global Perspective on Problem-Solving

When Jayson returned to Protiviti after his sabbatical, he stepped into a role that would challenge him to think bigger than ever before: managing Protiviti’s global innovation program. With team members spanning Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Italy, and beyond, he found himself at the intersection of diverse perspectives and cutting-edge technology.

“What I love about working globally is the variety of ideas,” Jayson says. “The way our team in Europe approaches a problem might be completely different from how North America does, and that diversity makes us better.”

One example? A solution developed in collaboration with Protiviti’s UK team used AI to harmonize risk and control documentation for clients. “It was a fresh perspective that pushed us forward,” Jayson notes. This kind of cross-cultural collaboration not only improves outcomes but also fosters creativity and innovation—qualities that define Protiviti’s approach to solving client challenges.

Innovation in Action

Jayson’s work is rooted in finding smarter, faster ways to solve problems. At the heart of his efforts is a commitment to leveraging technology – particularly AI – to future proof our work and enable our services.

Take, for example, a project where Jayson’s team automated the process of converting regulatory requirements into plain English. What once took hours of manual effort can now be done in minutes, thanks to Python scripts and large language models. “We’ve reduced the time spent per requirement from 15 minutes to under two,” he says.

Another innovative solution involved creating a diagnostic tool to evaluate and uplift clients’ risks and controls. By scoring controls on a one-to-five rubric, Jayson’s team gave clients immediate insights into where improvements were needed. “These tools don’t just save time; they give clients insights and confidence,” he explains.

For Jayson, the rewards of this work go beyond efficiency. “We’re not just delivering solutions – we’re empowering our clients to make better decisions and focus on what matters most,” he says.

A Playbook for Success

Jayson Yano’s journey is a reminder that effective leaders are shaped by experiences, passions, and the people with whom they surround themselves.

His ability to bridge the worlds of sports and consulting speaks to the power of creativity, adaptability, and a human-centered approach to problem-solving. Whether you’re on the field or in the boardroom, it’s the team that makes the difference. And the best teams don’t just win – they innovate, inspire, and deliver results that matter.

Want to learn more? Explore Protiviti’s innovative programs, reach out to see how we can work together, or connect with Jayson to celebrate his journey. Innovation is alive here—and you could be part of what’s next.

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