Lisa Taguchi
Lisa Taguchi is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of The Ikigai Group, a staffing and recruiting firm dedicated to connecting candidates and organizations with meaningful career solutions. With a professional background in hospital administration, Lisa discovered her passion for talent identification while recruiting for large healthcare departments. Her ability to align leaders, frontline staff, and mid-career professionals to create thriving departments led her to serve as COO for a small firm before founding two of her own companies. Known for her expertise in business development, strategic recruiting, and client relationship management, she is driven by the impact of her work rather than financial gain, valuing the success stories of candidates whose lives she helps transform.
In addition to her executive roles, Lisa serves as a full-time Executive Assistant at Stanford Children’s Hospital, allowing her to remain deeply connected to organizational operations and leadership. Her professional philosophy emphasizes authenticity, direct communication, and strategic problem-solving. Lisa believes that everyone, regardless of title, is the CEO of their own role and encourages individuals to take ownership of their positions with confidence and integrity. Her approach combines operational expertise with a human-centered focus, ensuring long-term success for both clients and candidates.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lisa is a dedicated volunteer and mentor, supporting cancer and mental health foundations, scholarship programs, and initiatives such as Dress for Success. She actively empowers women in leadership through organizations like Women Health Care Executives Network and How Women Lead, advocating for authenticity, resilience, and passion-driven careers. A Bay Area native, Lisa balances her professional life with a love for the outdoors, gardening, and spending time with her dogs, embodying the same energy and care she brings to her work and community.
• Ashford University – Bachelor’s Degree
• Influential Women 2026
• Women Health Care Executives Network
• How Women Lead
• Cancer-related foundations
• Mental health organizations
• Scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate students
• Dress for Success
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success primarily to my parents. My mother, a single mom, raised two children with determination and strength, and my father, an immigrant chef, pioneered Japanese cuisine in the Bay Area. Their hard work and sacrifices inspire me to leave a meaningful legacy and make their efforts worthwhile. Additionally, embracing my authenticity and thinking outside the box has allowed me to open doors and achieve opportunities that might not have existed otherwise.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not let titles or salaries dictate your career. Let your passion and talent define your path, and the money and recognition will follow naturally. Invest in yourself, including wellness support, and prioritize sustainable career choices to avoid burnout. Own your role, whatever your title may be, and recognize that leadership and influence can come from any position.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Recruiting requires deep research, patience, and an understanding of each leader’s profession and vision; it cannot be solved overnight. Women are still underrepresented at top leadership levels, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity to empower and mentor future female leaders.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity, ownership, and thinking outside the box are core to my professional approach. I value humility in leadership, community service, and empowering other women. Personally, giving back through volunteering, scholarships, and mentorship, while prioritizing genuine relationships and long-term impact, guides both my career and life choices.