Describe yourself in 3 words:
I find it difficult to do it in three words, but I would say I’m dedicated, resilient and patient (although my family might argue against the last descriptor). I am a very dedicated leader and take pride in the success of my team whether it is individual or as a group. A strong leader must be resilient and help their team to navigate and bounce back from challenging times. In retail, I’ve witnessed the ups and downs and have had to find ways to persevere. The last two years are an example of this, but the team has pulled together and we have grown stronger as a result. I’m a big believer that cooler heads prevail. Staying calm and exercising patience is not only a sign of professionalism, but also of respect. As a leader, I have learned that patience and purposeful guidance improves productivity and builds confidence.

How has your career shifted from the 2020 pandemic impact?
I was promoted to the role of Director General Manager for Neiman Marcus Hawaii in the midst of the pandemic in December 2020. This was a huge career shift and very unexpected at the time, since we had just named a new General Manager a few months prior. In the short time we worked together, our former GM became a great mentor. And while I was sad to see her move, I was also happy that she was promoted to a larger leadership role within the company.

Neiman Marcus has always valued the importance of building relationships. During the pandemic, it forced us to explore new ways of doing business which included staying in touch virtually with our clients. This was a major shift in mindset and practice for the team as well.

In my current role and with the reopening of our Mariposa in June 2021, I also received a crash course in the restaurant business which definitely forced me out of my comfort zone. But this has allowed me to grow quicker into the role than I may have otherwise. I have a newfound appreciation and respect for all the hard work that goes into running a successful restaurant.

How do you manage stress and self-care?
This is still a work in progress. While I am not athletic, I start every morning on Peloton or the treadmill. I feel this helps me start off on the right foot and keeps me energized and focused throughout the day. When I want to decompress, I enjoy walks with my husband and fur baby Bodhi, a 6-year-old Shih-tzu/poodle. I have found that even just some quiet time with Bodhi can be oddly therapeutic.

I also love to travel. This is my great escape, which became a challenge during the pandemic. However, I learned that even researching potential travel destinations allows me to transport myself.

Did you always want this career track?
I never imagined that my summer and winter break job at Liberty House during college would lead to a full career in retail. After obtaining my undergraduate degree from the University of Hawai‘i, I had intended to pursue a Masters in Social Work. However, my manager suggested pursuing retail management upon graduation, and I was hired for a lead selling role. This quickly led to an appointment as a department manager. The same manager joined Neiman Marcus as the store was preparing to open in 1998 and recruited me as her assistant. My career took many twists and turns but I am grateful for every one of them because it led me to where I am today.

What are two of your proudest accomplishments of your career?
One of the biggest honors was to be named NM Best in 2008—an annual award bestowed upon an individual who is nominated by their peers and voted by senior leadership at each Neiman Marcus facility. This annual award is Neiman Marcus Group’s most prestigious associate honor. I love that the company continues to celebrate this long-standing tradition.

My other proudest moments are all tied to my team’s successes—from developing the first million-dollar book within my department, to promoting my former assistants into higher leadership roles. I find the most satisfaction in seeing my team grow and thrive.

If you could tell your younger self some advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to trust my instincts and believe. There will always be uncertainty, but it should not stop anyone from pursuing new opportunities and growth. You will never know the limits of what you can achieve if you do not put yourself out there.