Overview
Aya Iinuma is a partner in Heidrick and Struggles’ Tokyo office and a member of the Financial Services Practice. She leads the Professional Services and the Legal, Risk, Compliance & Government Affairs practices in Japan, recruiting senior leadership and attorneys both in-house and in private practice firms.
Experience
Aya conducts a range of searches in her specialist areas, frequently working in a cross-border capacity, most recently focusing on private equity firms for their investment professionals and C-suite leadership roles for their portfolio companies. As a CEO & Board of Directors Practice member, she advises clients on top leadership assessments and succession planning across multiple sectors. She actively advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion by managing various initiatives.
Aya joined Heidrick & Struggles in 2006. She was the partner in charge of Heidrick & Struggles’ Tokyo office from 2012 to 2020.
Before joining Heidrick & Struggles, Aya was a consultant at a Tokyo-based boutique executive search firm, where she completed numerous senior-level search assignments focusing on legal functions and professional services. She began her career with Mizuho Trust and Banking, where Aya worked for 12 years in the corporate finance, distressed assets, and marketing and business planning areas.
Education
Tsuda College, BA in English Literature