facilitator; program director; steering committee chair
Refers to a person who guides a meeting, event, or project, ensuring smooth progress. Often used in business, workshops, and committee settings. Compare with 進行係, which is more about logistical coordination.
See also: 進行係
会議では彼が進行役を務めた。
He acted as the facilitator at the meeting.
進行役は参加者全員が発言できるように気を配っ
The facilitator made sure every participant could speak.
進行役 focuses narrowly on moving a program or meeting along, whereas ナビゲーター also implies steering the audience's understanding of the content.
Compound of 進行 (progress, advancement) and 役 (role, duty). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is a straightforward modern formation.