Beyond Business | MIYOKO DEMAYディメイ美代子
Luxury, Leadership, and Legacy
MIYOKO DEMAY(ディメイ美代子）is a seasoned global executive whose 30-year career at Tiffany & Co. spanned leadership roles in the company’s New York headquarters, including as Vice President of Global Sales Operations, and in Tokyo, culminating in her role as President of Tiffany Japan. Miyoko currently serves as an Outside Director and Board Member of Nintendo Co., Ltd., and as Chair of the Japan Representative Office of the World Monuments Fund (WMF). She also runs her own consultancy, Demay Luxury Consulting, and serves as an informal advisor and mentor to JapanCraft21, an organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing traditional Japanese crafts, sharing her experience through lectures, networking, and advocacy efforts. Additionally, she serves on the International House of Japan–North America Advisory Board and the Japan Society, New York – Gallery Council. Beyond business, she is engaged in empowering Japanese female leaders and preserving traditional Japanese culture.
In May 2025, she was appointed Chair of the Japan Representative Office of the World Monuments Fund (WMF), a New York-based organization dedicated to preserving historic architecture and cultural heritage.
IROHA: What projects are you currently working on? What have you most recently completed or do you plan to do in the near future?
MIYOKO: I have been actively involved with World Monuments Fund, most recently supporting the Noto Peninsula Earthquake recovery effort in Japan to help restore two local communities (Nanao-city and Kuroshima) and preserve cultural heritage. I am excited to share that we are expanding our efforts in Japan into new categories in the coming year. Additionally, I continue to passionately support leadership initiatives through the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the Japan Society. Through Demay Luxury Consulting, I help clients enhance their brand positioning, clienteling strategies, and customer experience.
Wajima City's Wakamiya Shrine, damaged in the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
IROHA: What are your thoughts regarding Asian hate and Asian glass ceiling issues?
MIYOKO: I often refer to the “Four Cs”. Diamonds are evaluated by Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat. With respect to life and leadership, I use Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Compassion. These qualities are essential for growth, especially in the face of adversity. I have often been the only Asian woman in executive rooms, but I never viewed being different as a disadvantage. I focused on how I could uniquely contribute. I always tell others: don’t let how others view you define you. Don’t wait for permission—carve out your own space and lead from there. My advocacy has always centered on supporting women in leadership, especially in Japan, and helping them break through invisible barriers with confidence and authenticity.
IROHA: Based on your background, do you have any advice or a message for young people who want to follow in your footsteps?
MIYOKO: I like to say, “Don’t put a lid on yourself”. We often limit ourselves before anyone else does. Believe that you are limitless. Stretch yourself. Even if you don’t reach your exact goal, you’ll land somewhere new and valuable. Trust your instincts, and even if things don’t go as planned, take those moments as learning opportunities. Once you’re in a position of leadership, consistency becomes very important. It takes a long time to build trust and only a moment to lose it, so protect it fiercely and stay consistent.
IROHA: Outside of work, what are you most interested in right now?
MIYOKO: I’m deeply immersed in the study and practice of the Japanese tea ceremony. It’s a beautiful representation of Japanese culture, combining tea, cuisine, art, calligraphy, kimono, and the art of hospitality. I practice daily and appreciate how it teaches mindfulness, discipline, and grace. I also work to highlight traditional arts, like the gold leaf craftsmanship unique to the city of Kanazawa, as part of my broader mission to preserve and share Japan’s cultural heritage with the world.
written by Jessica Woolsey
Miyoko Demay’s LinkedIn