Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
In Japan, my family is known as baseball royalty. Everyone on my dad’s side played professional baseball then went off to have successful careers in baseball. My grandfather is a well-known manager and baseball legend, Katsuya Nomura. My father is former professional baseball player and sports agent, Kenny Nomura.
My uncle is Don Nomura and trailblazing agent, most known for bringing Hideo Nomo to the Dodgers. My mother, Yuko Tamura is a professional keyboard player for Gladys Knight and kept me around the music industry since I was a baby.
Growing up around the industry inspired me to pursue a career in baseball. From 2018-2021 MLB season, I worked for the Angels organization in the Guest Relations department. I currently work for a sports related company in Tokyo, Japan and currently a part of a women’s baseball team, “Asahi Trust”.
Being Japanese American and growing up in the industry, whether it be music or sports, I have come to understand the strong influence it has an influence on our culture. Ultimately, I would like to give back to the community through sports and work with children.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I believe what makes me unique and different from everyone else is that I grew up around professional baseball because of my family’s involvement in the industry. Knowing the influence that they have had in baseball, the power, and the enormous amount of respect in the Nomura name and carrying on the family name into the next generation has kept me incredibly humble but has also motivated me to make a name for myself.
Although my family’s connection would have helped me breakthrough in the industry, I always believed in working for it rather than having anything given to me. As I make my way in the industry, it’s not only satisfying knowing I made my way in without using my family’s connection but also makes me feel empowered and confident in myself.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
After I graduated high school, I struggled to find my purpose and passion in life. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life let alone a career. This led me into deep depression, and I felt completely lost with myself. Over the last 10 years I had to work hard, mentally, and physically to get out of depression and be in the right mind set.
The moment I decided to pursue a career in baseball everything fell into place, and it stuck with me. Whether it’s working in this industry or being out on the field and playing baseball, there’s nothing more I have been passionate about.
There wasn’t an exact moment that I can remember where I realized I was born to be in this industry. However, I recognized that the harder I worked, the more things would work out smoothly without any bumps in the road.
I am a firm believer of things working out the way it’s supposed to be. I think when you’re on the right path, nothing gets in the way of it.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
The biggest challenge I had to go through was depression which I struggled with after high school and my early 20’s. I kept my struggles to myself however, the more I opened up about it, the more support I had from my family and friends. I educated myself on psychology, healthy diet, fitness, meditation and applied everything I learned to my everyday life. It wasn’t an easy process and I had severe ups and downs, but I stayed consistent in the healing process.
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
Kim Ng, the first female GM in MLB. I would love to hear more about her journey in this industry, discuss how we can empower women in this industry, and how we can knock those barriers down for women in sports.
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees player. I really respect what he’s doing with the “The Aaron Judge All Rise Foundation” which is targeted to children and youth. I would love to discuss how we can help make the community better especially for children. Also possibly receive some hitting tips.
Vin Scully, legendary Dodgers broadcaster to receive advice on how to engage the public and tips on public speaking.
Drop your social media links.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/Nomura_saya
Twitter: https://twitter.com/saya_nomura