Name: Rieko Y. 
Position: Assistant Director of Rooms 
Hotel: The St. Regis Osaka 
Dream destination: Krka National Park, Croatia  
Drink or treat of choice: A strong coffee or oat milk latte.

Throughout her career, Rieko has faced a recurring dilemma: stay where things feel familiar, or step into something new. And guess what? She chose growth each time. That decision took her from Japan to Indonesia, Switzerland, the United States, and eventually back to Japan, where she now serves as Assistant Director of Rooms at The St. Regis Osaka. 

Each move meant starting over: learning a new culture, building relationships from scratch, and finding confidence in unfamiliar environments. But with every experience, she gained the resilience, perspective, and confidence that she believes has brought her to where she is today.  

→ Every career story starts somewhere. Where could yours begin?  

How would you describe your Marriott Journey? 

When I look back, my career has been shaped less by titles and more by starting over, each time in a new place and with new expectations. Every move pushed me to adapt quickly, learn from the people around me, and find my footing all over again. Every relocation meant starting again. Adapting to new cultures, expectations, and responsibilities was challenging every time, even when I returned to Japan. 

What’s the biggest lesson you take from all those relocations?  

That confidence does not come all at once. It builds gradually through small moments, learning from mistakes, and continuing even when you feel unsure. Over time, that helped me grow not only professionally, but also as a person who is more grounded, open, and willing to step forward as a leader. 

What is a mindset that has helped you navigate and even make the most of these challenges? 

I reminded myself that these were challenges I had chosen. And I learned that resilience, like confidence, is something you build through practice, not something you simply have. With each relocation I became more intentional about how I adapted. I asked more questions early, observed how strong leaders communicated, and looked for small habits that helped me settle into a new culture and team quickly. 

What has helped you grow the most along the way? 

I have been very fortunate to be supported by many managers, supervisors, and colleagues throughout my career. In particular, leaders who gave honest feedback, encouraged confidence, and created space for learning helped me grow faster than I could have on my own. 

Do you have any tip on how to build those kinds of relationships at Marriott? 

Staying open, being willing to learn, and doing your best to contribute wherever you are. Every time I moved to a new place, I had to meet new people and earn their trust again. I found that trust grows when you show consistency, communicate well, and genuinely care about the team around you. 

What do you want the next chapter of your career to look like? 

My goal is to become a Director of Rooms, and eventually a Hotel Manager. I want to continue developing myself while building teams where people feel supported and motivated to grow. 

Any advice for someone wanting to own their career journey? 

Start by reflecting on what you want to grow. Then take one small action that helps you practise it, asking for feedback, volunteering for something new, or learning from someone who does things well. After that, reflect again and adjust your approach. Afterall, growth is rarely one big moment but usually built through small steps you repeat.

→ Ready for a new challenge? There’s more than one way to grow at Marriott. Explore what’s possible.