Rika Riordan of Tokyo, Japan, is a dynamic leader and pioneer in the development of pickleball in Japan, currently serving as Chairperson of the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJ). In February 2026, she spearheaded the historic merger of Japan's two existing pickleball federations into a single unified national body, strengthening the sport's governance and long-term sustainability.

Prior to the merger, Riordan founded the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) in 2023, where she served as Vice-Chairperson. Under her leadership, PJF organized Japan's first international pickleball tournament in 2024, drawing 700 participants from nine countries and securing major corporate sponsorships. In 2025, she expanded the tournament to 1,300 participants from 18 countries, attracting coverage from 32 media outlets. She also launched coaching and referee training programs that helped grow Japan's player base more than tenfold. Prior to joining the GPF, Riordan served as a Board of Directors member of the WPF in 2025.

Riordan is also the Founder and President of the Japan Hawaii Pickleball Association (JHPA), established in 2022 to cultivate cross-cultural ties between Japan and Hawaii through pickleball diplomacy, including the Honolulu Sister City inaugural pickleball Mayor's Cup.

Her leadership in pickleball is built on a distinguished career in international business. As Founder and President of Mockingbird Trading Co. (1995 –2012), she grew an import business with products worn by one in six babies born in Japan. She began her career as a Corporate Travel Planner at Japan Travel Bureau.

Riordan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Gakushuin University, where she was also a member of the university tennis team. She is fluent in Japanese and English.