Can Japan compete in a world that increasingly requires a workforce that embraces diverse, "global" attitudes and innovative, non-conventional thinking? What is being done by major Japanese companies? Is it enough?
Our speaker, Debra Hazelton, has spent the last three-plus years leading strategic HR change for one of Japan's largest companies, Mizuho Financial Group (MHFG), with the mandate to create a more innovative, global and diverse workforce. Her appointment in 2014, as General Manager of the Global Talent Acquisition and Development Department, marks the first non-Japanese appointment to a senior executive role in the Corporate Function and demonstrates Mizuho’s recognition of the imperative to “globalise” its HR practices in order to deliver on its sustainable global growth strategy.
Recently returned to Sydney in a new role of Senior Advisor to Mizuho’s global network (including Japan), Debra will discuss the challenges and achievements of the past few years, as well as her thoughts about some of the particular challenges faced by Japanese companies in their efforts to build successful global businesses.
Registrations are now open. Signup (and pay) online or use the form.
About Mizuho Financial Group
MHFG is one of the world’s largest financial services companies with a global network of about 120 offices in 39 countries and a workforce of more than 56,000. The Global Talent Acquisition & Development Department is charged with Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Diversity & Inclusion and Globalisation & Connectivity, and was established to build and enhance a robust global “One Mizuho” corporate culture across its extensive banking, securities, trust and asset management businesses within and outside Japan.
About the speaker
Debra has recently taken on the role of Senior Advisor to Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. Prior to moving to Tokyo Head Office as General Manager, Global Talent Acquisition and Development, Debra was Managing Director of Mizuho Australia and General Manager of Mizuho Bank’s Sydney Branch, which provides corporate, treasury, trade and project finance solutions for major Australian, Japanese and multinational companies. Before Mizuho, she held various executive roles in Commonwealth Bank of Australia including 10 years as Treasurer, then General Manager of CBA in Japan.
Debra is also currently a board director of the Australia-Japan Foundation and a Principal of Kokusai Business Advisory (KBA). She has previously held board positions on the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA), Asia Society (Australia), Women in Banking and Finance and Australia Japan Society (NSW). Her academic background includes: BA (Hons), Sydney University (Japanese Language & Literature); Master of Commerce, UNSW; and a Mombusho PHD scholarship at Keio University.
