We recently sat down with Utae Nakanishi, who joined Renesas in January 2025 as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). During our conversation, Utae shared her thoughts on a number of topics, including leadership, the value of collaboration, and the role of HR in supporting Renesas' aspiration to be a top-three embedded semiconductor solution supplier.
Utae has over 25 years of HR experience in the semiconductor industry. A visionary HR leader, Utae inspired global talent at Micron Technology and championed its transformation, integration, and mentorship to drive growth and innovation. Originally from Japan, Utae moved to the United States to study political science and economics at the University of Oregon and has since built her life and career in the U.S. high-tech industry.
Renesas: After a long and successful career in HR, what motivated you to join Renesas?
Utae: Initially, I was drawn by the vision of CEO Hidetoshi Shibata, which is to elevate Renesas to be a top-three embedded semiconductor solution supplier. I found this deeply inspiring and believed my extensive HR experience could play a meaningful role in bringing that vision to life.
It was also an opportunity to apply my experience in various HR leadership roles. In those roles, I saw first-hand that employees are a company's most valuable asset. And that HR is instrumental in creating an environment where people feel empowered to do their best work. At Renesas, I could apply my 25 years of HR experience to help shape a culture that builds and empowers a workforce aligned with Renesas' ambitious goals.
Renesas: What are your impressions of Renesas' culture thus far?
Utae: Very positive. The collaboration and thoughtfulness among employees are energizing. Employees are approachable and deeply committed to the company's success. They have a shared drive that creates a strong sense of unity and purpose.
The leadership team's openness and care for the employees are also impressive. They're willing to listen and act on feedback, which speaks volumes about a culture that prizes continuous improvement, growth, and responsiveness. I have heard this across our global offices by new hires and long-term employees alike.
Finally, the company's core culture, which we call TAGIE, truly resonates with me. TAGIE stands for Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. They very much reflect how I strive to lead and collaborate: with clarity, adaptability, and a forward-thinking mindset.
Renesas: With acquisitions part of Renesas' growth strategy, how is HR supporting the integration of new companies?
Utae: Successful integration requires a shared sense of identity, and HR plays a pivotal role in cultivating a unified and inclusive global culture rooted in our core values. That cultural consistency becomes the foundation for trust, collaboration, and long-term success.
Integrating successfully requires that we focus on several priorities. One is to create impactful leadership and employee development programs that build capability and connection across teams. We must also facilitate an employee experience that reflects our commitment to equity and excellence and fosters engagement, belonging, and well-being.
I also want to emphasize the practice of listening with empathy. Creating space for every voice — especially during times of change — is one of the most effective accelerators of successful integration. When people feel heard, they're more likely to engage and adapt.
Renesas: Renesas' Digitalization Vision, "To make electronics design accessible to a broader market to allow more innovation by creating an Electronics System Design & Lifecycle Management Platform", will require engineering talent. What qualities is the company looking for in its engineers, and where will they come from?
Utae: We're not just hiring for skills; we're building a community of engineers who are curious, adaptable, and deeply committed to our mission. And cultural fit and mindset are just as important as technical proficiency. It's what enables us to innovate with purpose and scale.
Thus, our investment in engineering talent is strategic and very intentional. We're seeking individuals who bring both technical excellence and a global and growth mindset. People at Renesas must be able to thrive in dynamic environments and be eager to shape the future of the company and the semiconductor industry.
As for technical skills, expertise in AI and software will be critical in driving our next wave of digital transformation. Culturally, alignment with our TAGIE values is equally important. By sourcing talent on the global market, we can tap into diverse perspectives and specialized capabilities.
Renesas: With Renesas investing heavily in India, what is the company's talent strategy there?
Utae: India is a cornerstone of our global talent strategy. Over the past 18 months, we've hired more than 750 talented individuals, and we're on track to reach 1,000 employees by the end of this calendar year.
Key strategic partnerships are adding to our impact in India. Working with India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, we signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) in May and will engage with over 250 local academic institutions. We are also part of a joint venture with CG Power of India and Stars Microelectronics of Thailand to establish an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility in India, supporting the country's "Make in India for the World" vision. The first of two facilities has been launched, with the second launching in 2026.
These efforts reflect our long-term commitment to India — not just as a talent hub, but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of semiconductor innovation.
Renesas: As Renesas continues to blend hardware and software, what are the key trends shaping the future of work at the company, and how do you see HR's role in evolving it?
Utae: Rapid innovation and fierce global competition are forcing the semiconductor industry to evolve at an unprecedented pace. At the heart of this transformation is the rise of AI and software-defined technologies, which are reshaping how we design, build, and deliver products.
Integrating chip design, embedded software, and AI optimization will require engineers with multidisciplinary expertise. System-level thinking will be needed in co-designing hardware and software. And to accelerate digitalization, we'll need agility, collaboration, and continuous learning across all functions. The success of these efforts will mean even more opportunities for Renesas to fulfill its purpose, "To Make Our Lives Easier."
To attract the right talent, we're creating development and mentorship programs, enabling career mobility, and driving the adoption of digital tools and platforms. And to fuel creativity and progress across all of Renesas, we're cultivating an inspiring, innovative, and inclusive global culture where diverse perspectives are sought and listened to.
Renesas: What initiatives is Renesas implementing to strengthen its culture, foster meaningful connections among employees, and promote an innovative workplace?
Utae: Renesas is deeply committed to cultivating a culture that is both connected and forward-thinking. For example, we feel our new Back-to-Office (BTO) hybrid work program of three days in-office per week strikes the right balance of maintaining the flexibility that many employees value, while also fostering increased opportunities for in-person connection and collaboration.
In the office setting, spontaneous interactions and real-time conversations strengthen team cohesion. They also accelerate decision-making and problem-solving and ease cross-functional collaboration.
Renesas is taking a number of steps to enhance the in-office experience and welcome people back to the office. One especially meaningful initiative, launched in celebration of our 15-year anniversary as Renesas Electronics Corporation, was the unveiling of two murals created at our Toyosu headquarters and Musashi R&D site by locally selected art students. By inviting student artists to take part in this initiative, we support their growth while bringing fresh energy into our workspaces. We also saw a strong connection between Renesas' spirit of taking on global challenges and the determination of young student artists who are striving toward the future. These murals add vibrancy to the office and help to spark creative thinking and inspiration for our employees.
Renesas: What are your goals for the HR and General Affairs organization at Renesas?
Utae: My overarching goal for HR and General Affairs (HR/GA) is to serve as a strategic enabler of the company's success. This means deeply understanding the business strategy and aligning our people, culture, and operations to support it. And it means creating an innovative and inclusive culture where everyone feels connected to Renesas' purpose and empowered to contribute and grow.
This will require being transparent in our communication and developing meaningful programs to ensure a highly engaged workforce and a strong sense of purpose.
HR/GA can also play a critical role in strengthening organizational agility and enhancing the employee experience. We must build trusted partnerships with our employees and leaders across the business to ensure that HR/GA is not just a support function, but a proactive driver of transformation.
Renesas: Can you tell us something about your life outside of work? Where are you from originally? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Utae: I was born and raised in Japan. When I was 18, I moved to the United States to attend the University of Oregon. I built my career and life in the U.S., working in a global environment, during which I lived and worked in Japan for several years. I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time outdoors with family and friends in both the United States and Japan.
Renesas: Is there anything we have not asked you that you would like your colleagues, prospective talent, or broader audiences to know?
Utae: I feel truly honored to be part of Renesas as Chief Human Resources Officer. Over the past nine months, I've been inspired by the dedication of our teams and the care shown by our leaders. What excites me most is the journey ahead: the opportunity to strengthen our culture and make a meaningful contribution that enables Renesas' success. I look forward to what we'll build together. Thank you.
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Nov 6, 2024
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