The name of our company, as it reads on our corporate letterhead, is Fiduciary Trust International. But it is more than just an international "organization." In fact, it is an international "community." I believe our community-its professional integrity, cultural diversity and deep-seated friendships-embodies the ideal not only of global economic integration, but also of an overall social and cultural integration, at every level. If there is one person that embodies this spirit, it is Nauka Kushitani.

I had lived briefly in Japan and had learned a little Japanese. I would try to speak to Nauka in her native language, and she was always kind enough to listen and pretend as though she understood. From these exchanges, Nauka soon became a dear friend and a trusted mentor, or sempai. Time spent talking with Nauka was a pleasure. She always had something insightful or funny or uplifting to say. She is someone I will never forget.

As an analyst, she possessed a brilliant mind, a healthy skepticism and a keen ability to differentiate between the important and the trivial. As a friend, she was supportive and compassionate, outgoing and funny, and never one to take things too seriously. And as a representative of her home country, Japan, she possessed a spirit and character that transcended national and cultural borders.

Nauka was the kind of person who would be loved and admired in any country and in any culture. For these reasons, we were all very proud to know her. People like Nauka represent the best of humanity. People of such strong spirit, intelligence and character are obliged, for all of our sakes, to follow their hearts and dreams, wherever they may take them.

The tragedy of September 11 reminds us all what a blessing it is to have such people in our lives. It reiterates the important role that such people play in the lives of so many of us throughout the world. Nauka is clearly one such person, and she will always be loved and missed.

-Andrew Cunagin