Midori Morikawa joins Economic Development as director of Business Strategy

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Midori Morikawa as Director of Business Strategy for the Office of Economic Development. In this role, Midori will focus on attracting new businesses, retaining and growing existing businesses, and engaging the Boston business community to strengthen Boston's workforce for growth in the national and international markets. Midori previously served as Deputy Director of Workforce and Policy Development in the Office of Workforce Development.

“I am thrilled to welcome Midori as Director of Business Strategy, and I am confident that her expertise in talent development and successful record of private-public partnerships will strengthen Boston’s broad talent pool and create an even more attractive place to do business,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Since its creation, Chief Barros and his team have made significant progress not only in attracting business to Boston, but also in ensuring that all Bostonians benefit from Boston’s booming economy. I look forward to even more success with an expanded and dynamic team.”

Midori will also lead strategies to enhance emerging industries, including exploring workforce development opportunities for talent pipeline development and retention in response to business community needs. Midori led key initiatives in her previous role, including the Mayor's Tuition-Free Community College and the city's first Neighborhood Jobs Trust Impact Report. Midori has promoted a number of key partnerships, including the Boston Bridge, a collaboration between the city and the MA Executive Office of Education to create tuition-free four-year degree pathways for Boston residents, and oversaw a multi-year evaluation of Summer Youth Employment program in partnership with Northeastern University.

“Boston’s young, deep pool of homegrown talent is the top factor in attracting and keeping businesses in Boston, and I am excited to work with Midori to expand out approach to pipeline development and foster a more inclusive Boston business economy,” said John F. Barros, Chief of Economic Development. “By supporting and partnering Boston’s established and growing industries with a dedicated team, we can ensure more job opportunities and training for the jobs of the future for all Bostonians.”

The Business Strategy team is also be bolstered by the addition of Austin Williams, who recently began serving in the newly-created role of Life-Tech Manager. Austin is responsible for identifying, developing, and executing initiatives, programming, and tools in support of business attraction and retention, as well as talent development and retention within Boston’s high tech industry, including healthcare, life sciences, digital health, and other growth sectors within the industry. Midori and Austin join a dynamic team focused on attracting, engaging, and retaining global organizations and partnerships, as well as managing and expanding Boston’s light industrial and manufacturing sector.

Created in 2014, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development is a one-stop resource for all businesses in the City of Boston, which promotes policies that help businesses grow while fostering economic inclusion and equity. Divided into three focus areas, the office is comprised of the Business Strategy, Small Business, and Equity and Inclusion units. Milestones include the publication of the city’s first ever Small Business Report, launch of the Small Business Resource Center, passage of an updated Boston Residents Job Policy with elevated develop standard for hiring and building in Boston, and new Neighborhood Business Access Loans.

The Economic Development Cabinet includes the Boston Planning and Development Agency, Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment, the Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, and the Office of Workforce Development. Together, these offices work together to ensure Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for Bostonians and the experience for all visitors.