Kei Iwashita (Yamawaki)
About Kei Iwashita (Yamawaki)
Kei Iwashita is a Design Director at IDEO in Tokyo, where he leads the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio and focuses on human-centered healthcare design. He has a background in business development, consulting, and education, holding degrees from Brown University and Stanford University.
Work at IDEO
Kei Iwashita has been serving as Design Director at IDEO Tokyo since 2020. In this role, he leads the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio, focusing on human-centered healthcare design and creating inclusive solutions for underserved populations. He is part of the IDEO Tokyo leadership team, concentrating on Finance and Business Operations to maintain the company's financial health. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Senior Design Lead and Business Designer at IDEO from 2016 to 2020.
Previous Experience
Before joining IDEO, Kei Iwashita worked at Spotify as a Business Development and Sales professional from 2013 to 2014. He was one of the early employees at Spotify Japan, contributing to the launch of the global brand in international markets. Additionally, he worked as a Consultant at Bain & Company from 2010 to 2014, gaining valuable experience in consulting and business strategy.
Education and Expertise
Kei Iwashita earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organic Chemistry from Brown University, where he studied from 2006 to 2010. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, completing his studies from 2014 to 2016. His educational background supports his expertise in design, business development, and healthcare solutions.
Community Involvement
Since 2021, Kei Iwashita has been a Council Member at UWC ISAK Japan, contributing to the organization's mission of education and community development. His involvement reflects his commitment to social impact and education, aligning with his professional focus on inclusive design and healthcare solutions.
Side Projects and Contributions
In addition to his primary roles, Kei Iwashita engages in various side projects, including moonlighting as a curry chef and designing baby products. He has experience in developing a sleep training app for new parents and prototyping a school for sugarcane farmers in Thailand. He also writes about design and work-from-home experiences, contributing personal insights to IDEO's content.