Kikka Hanazawa
About Kikka Hanazawa
Kikka Hanazawa is a prominent business leader who currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors and President at Fashion Girls for Humanity, and holds various advisory roles across multiple organizations. She has a notable history of orchestrating management buyouts, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, and advising on sustainability initiatives.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Kikka Hanazawa currently holds several advisory and leadership positions. She serves as an Advisor for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Classico, Inc., both starting in 2023. Additionally, she is a Member of the Board of Trustees at Columbia University and serves on the Board of Visitors for Columbia University’s School of General Studies. Since 2011, she has been the Chair and President of the Board of Directors at Fashion Girls for Humanity. Hanazawa also advises XR Couture, a role she has held since 2022.
Previous Experience
Hanazawa has extensive experience in various leadership roles. She was the Chief Executive Officer at VPL from 2007 to 2022 and served as Director of Strategic Planning at Theory from 2003 to 2007. Earlier in her career, she worked as General Manager at ITOCHU International and held positions at Cygne Designs Inc. and Accenture. Her experience includes facilitating mergers and acquisitions, scaling businesses, and guiding a company through the public offering process.
Education and Academic Background
Kikka Hanazawa studied at Columbia University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture Theory and Art History from 1989 to 2000. She later attended Harvard Business School, completing her MBA from 2001 to 2002. This educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in both the arts and business management.
Board Memberships and Nonprofit Involvement
In addition to her current roles, Hanazawa has served on various nonprofit boards. Notably, she was involved with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts as Chair of the Executive Director's Advisory Council from 2021 to 2022. Her commitment to nonprofit work reflects her dedication to cultural and community initiatives.
Recognition and Awards
Kikka Hanazawa has received notable recognition for her contributions to business and sustainability. She is a recipient of the Asia Society’s Game Changer Award and has been acknowledged by Fast Company for 'World Changing Ideas.' Her work has been featured in major media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, NBC, BBC, Forbes, New York Times, and Vogue.