Hiromi Morikawa (CAS '12), executive officer and chief information officer at Nishimoto Co., Ltd., enjoys helping her teams grow and succeed. She was recently named a 2024 Consumer Goods Technology Visionary, which recognizes a select cohort of consumer goods executives who embody positive change in their organizations and inspire through their leadership.
Where do you work, and what is your role?
I serve as executive officer and chief information officer at Nishimoto Co., Ltd., a holding company of Nishimoto Wismettac Group, in Tokyo, Japan.
What do you like best about your job?
My favorite aspect of my job is to help teams grow, succeed, and contribute to the industry at a higher level. I am passionate about engaging the teams in innovation while encouraging them to disrupt the norm to overcome the boundaries and barriers prevalent in organizations. I am a strong believer in a culture of collaboration, trust, and respect.
What do you see as the most critical impact of your work?
The most critical impact of my work is to deliver results. I am responsible for building an environment where my teams strive for excellence and are committed to achieving their goals. The second most critical impact of my work is to celebrate my teams' accomplishments with them.
How did the iSchool at Illinois help you get to where you are today?
The iSchool taught me not to give up. When I was lost or confused, my advisor and my schoolmates helped me engage in the right resources and/or shed light on alternative directions with a Plan B. My parents were also influential in teaching me to persevere.
What advice would you like to share with iSchool students?
If you want to make things happen . . . never give up, challenge the status quo, take lots of risks with a Plan B, seize the day—not yesterday or tomorrow but today—and love who you are.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy reading Tarot. I have been a professional card reader for more than 20 years and have seen Tarot lead people to open up their subconscious and collective unconscious minds to help them figure out what is going on below the surface. I love seeing Tarot help people who need some emotional support or healing.