About and leadership

Born and raised on O'ahu. Building in Los Angeles.

I didn't start in a boardroom. When I moved to California, I started building websites and wireframes with a group of UCLA students for local businesses that needed to be found online. Sitting across from those owners taught me what still shapes every plan I write: growth comes from understanding the people behind a business, and trust comes from doing exactly what you said you would do.

Since then, in everything I take on, I'm still the one asking why. Why did that campaign stall? Why did that deal slow down? I would rather find the real problem than defend a plan. I run teams the way I was raised on O'ahu: you earn trust by showing up for people before you ask for anything.

My purpose

"...to listen to others deeply and help them see their value, and co-create something meaningful... in order to inspire others to feel empowered, step into their greatness."

What I value

Results get me into the room. How I treat people is why they call back. Soft skills are underrated, and these are mine.

Authentic

Growing up on O'ahu taught me to value community. I'm wired to be honest and transparent.

Diplomatic

I'm on the team in service to the brand. I'm here to listen, not dictate.

Passionate

I care about the brands I work with. It's more than a paycheck. It's a chance to make a difference.

Creative

I'm naturally inquisitive and think outside the box, which brings fresh insight to the work.

Driven

I'll go above and beyond my duties and challenge the norm to deliver the result.

Disciplined

A strong work ethic keeps me focused and engaged from the first call to the last report.

How I lead

What I hold myself to, and what the people I have worked with say about it.

I turn strategy into results.I take ideas from concept to completion, in a structured way.

I reduce risk by listening first.I understand people, context and constraints before I act.

I strengthen teams.I build trust and help people see their own value.

I follow through.When I commit, I see it through.

I'm obsessed with the why.I ask questions until I understand the real business challenge.

Relationships are gold.I treasure them, and I build the work on them.

Tim Hirata with the Gifts for Good team in party hats around a table in the office — With my Gifts for Good team

Tim Hirata seated in a blue chair with six Cydcor teammates standing behind him — With my Cydcor team

Tim Hirata with the CAG team holding a handmade goodbye banner — With my CAG team

"He doesn't just want to know how you're doing, but he wants to know your story."
Carlo Z., Creative Director

"He is always in pursuit of elevating work and looking big picture, all while maintaining integrity in the day-to-day grind."
Sami H., CRM and Lifecycle Manager

What people say

In their words.

Two testimonial videos from the leaders and teammates I have worked with. Press play to hear it from them.

Video still: Testimonials: leaders and teammates — **Testimonials: leaders and teammates**Longer testimonials about working with me.

Video still: Testimonials: short cut — **Testimonials: short cut**A shorter set of testimonials.

Beyond the job

Giving back

I put time into a certified B Corp, two nonprofits and student mentorship. It is part of who I am, and it has made me a better marketer.

See how I give back

Let's talk