To new beginnings and a bright year ahead

Morning in Big Sur, CA

As we step into the new year, I’m embracing change and looking ahead with optimism and excitement. The year’s beginning provides a moment for reflection and a chance to think about the future.

My career as a design professional began in 1999, right at the start of the dot-com boom. Back then, many designers didn’t yet see tech companies as the incredible opportunity they are today. I launched my career at Agency.com, working alongside brilliant minds to help Fortune 1000 companies and startups alike navigate the exciting new frontier of the Internet. It was a thrilling time, and even the inevitable ups and downs, like layoffs during industry contractions, taught me resilience and adaptability.

When I decided to move my family back to Japan, I couldn’t have imagined the transformative decade that lay ahead. Immersed in the dynamic world of Japanese companies, won Japan’s infamous Good Design Award for designing Hitachi.com, delved into the emerging social media space, created virtual art, and earned my MBA—all experiences that shaped me profoundly, both personally and professionally.

Eventually, opportunity called me back to San Francisco, where I co-founded a design agency with a friend from the dot-com era. That leap of faith brought remarkable rewards, from winning Webby Awards to watching my children grow up in the Bay Area. A serendipitous meeting with an Adobe contact soon sparked the beginning of my passion for inspiring design teams to create exceptional software.

These past six years at Adobe have been nothing short of extraordinary. I have the privilege of working with some of the most talented, collaborative, and innovative people I’ve ever met. Together, we are building delightful and meaningful experiences with the user always at the center.

Looking forward, I remain passionate about design leadership, especially in the AI and enterprise software space. I believe there’s never been a more exciting time to help companies succeed through the power of great design, and I’m energized by the possibilities ahead.

Here’s to new beginnings, new opportunities, and a bright year ahead.