g my MBA at George Washington University, I switched routes to pursue a career in consulting at Accenture, while remaining in the finance field. But back in the 90s, I saw the major potential impact that technology would have on businesses, which prompted my decision to switch fields to consulting for web hosting businesses back in the early days of the Internet.  I soon realised that my passion was in consumer products and retail, because of the focus that both placed on consumers and the dynamic environment in which consumers operate. So in the latter half of the 90s, I began working for a consumer product/retail consulting firm, Kurt Salmon, where I got to combine my passion for retail and going international, starting with Tokyo, Japan. I worked with retail and consumer-facing companies in areas such as retail strategy, operations, supply chain, logistics, merchandising and retail technology implementations. I also had the chance to work with many international brands such as Adidas, Coach, and Patagonia, as well as large local retailers such as AEON, Isetan department stores and even QVC Japan, a home shopping television network. Living in Tokyo gave me the chance to travel frequently around Asia for work to countries like China, the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore, mainly to oversee projects and speak at retail conferences. It was exciting to be exposed and immersed in so many amazing and unique cultures from different parts of Asia. In 2010, I became the managing partner for Kurt Salmon Asia Pacific where I oversaw the Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. The opportunity to consult for VF Corporation in Hong Kong eventually led me to join the company in 2014 as vice president of direct-to-consumer (DTC).  Here, I had the chance to work with many brands under the VF portfolio, where my main focus was becoming a better retailer across multiple markets in APAC. Joining Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) as the vice president of omnichannel for the Asia Pacific region in 2019 was exciting because I relished the opportunity to build a truly seamless offline and online consumer journey, which was where the industry was headed. I worked with the e-commerce and retail store teams to launch many new Levi.com platforms and new store environments for better shopping experiences. Today, I’m back in Tokyo after having made multiple stops in Asia throughout my career, leading the North Asia (Japan and South Korea) business at LS&Co. IR: What are some of your career highlights so far? DH: Now that I am back in North Asia, one career highlight is the excitement around South Korea’s K-Culture and K-pop, which led to Levi’s signing a global brand ambassador partnership with K-pop girl group NewJeans this year. Another highlight (which continues to be something I am extremely proud of) is being part of growing and accentuating our Levi’s Made in Japan collection, which seeks to intertwine the Levi’s brand heritage, authenticity and cultural moments, along with the amazing craftsmanship, aesthetics and denim knowledge unique to Japan. Our Made in Japan products are constructed from only the highest quality denim from Japan’s Kaihara Denim Mills – one of the world’s most renowned mills – known for their impeccable attention to detail and unique manufacturing process. The techniques used rely on an unmatched level of precision and specificity that’s only attainable by artisans trained in Japanese craftsmanship. IR: What advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of work? DH: My advice for anyone trying to get into international retail is to first take an interest in the markets you want to work in. Learn a language, immerse yourself in the history and culture and enjoy the diversity. Retail is a consumer business, so the more you can put yourself in the shoes of a local consumer, the more of an expert you will become; and you will get to have a lot of fun along the way while meeting tons of amazing people. Find good mentors, stay in touch with them, and become a mentor to others as well. IR: What are some of the key leadership lessons you’ve picked up throughout your career? DH: The leadership lesson I have held close is that learning never ends. I think a career is more like a marathon than a sprint.  Take time to build the disciplines that will make your career successful and purposeful for the long run. This includes building knowledge in key functional areas and from experiences that cannot be taught. LS&Co. has given me the opportunity to take on many challenges in retail and to lead different teams. IR: What advice would you give to someone who wants to move up the corporate ladder?  DH: Learn how to build teams and find synergy in diversity. As a leader, be confident and make decisions even when you are not sure, and exercise agility to adjust when possible, and if necessary. Respect others’ time by being prepared and punctual. Try to work with smart and highly ethical people whom you can learn from, and be accountable.  LS&Co. is a hub of talent because I believe that the iconic Levi’s brand has consistently taken a moral high ground, allowing the company to attract the very best. This has allowed me to learn from amazing colleagues lessons that I can apply to not only my career but to my life outside of work as well. IR: What does a typical day look like for you?  DH: Being in retail and managing the P&L for two countries means I rarely have typical days. I do have a weekly routine that occasionally varies because of monthly, quarterly and annual closings. But in general, the first half of the week is heavier on meetings because we are reviewing the numbers from the previous week. The rest of the week is focused on big projects or special request meetings and catch-ups. When you are in retail, you also need to get out (including on the weekends) to shop and look at other brands in the market to spot trends and changes in consumer behavior, as well as observe what other brands or retailers are doing differently. Retail can be really fun if you enjoy exploring and keeping a lookout for something new. IR: What’s your approach to work-life balance?  DH: Work life balance for me is more of a fluid concept than strictly being on and off. This lends itself to retail well as part of our job sees us spending weekends in the market, as I mentioned earlier. However, spending time with my family and personal time is critical for overall health and well-being, so I do strike a balance between having routines and exercising flexibility to manage both personal moments and busy work weeks. To keep up, I set aside time every Sunday night to review and prioritise what I want to accomplish in the upcoming week. This helps me to start the week with clear goals already outlined, which helps to relieve some stress. Another way for me to manage stress and keep things in perspective is by working out with weights. As someone who has always played sports, physical activity is a must for me. I would usually have a 60 to 90-minute workout, about four to five times a week – at home or at the gym – to allow myself some zoning out time. I usually refrain from talking to anyone and taking too many breaks, which helps to keep me focused. Other hobbies include playing baseball with my son and reading about history.