Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa has a refreshingly human approach to handling the pressures of leading one of the world’s largest automakers. Rather than relying on boardroom strategies or corporate wellness programs, Espinosa turns to music and sport to keep himself grounded. “I try to continue being myself,” he told The Wall Street Journal in a recent interview.
Espinosa plays drums in a band that occasionally gets together to jam, and on weekends he prioritizes tennis or golf when his schedule allows. For a leader overseeing an $8.5 billion company, these personal rituals are more than hobbies — they are an anchor to his identity outside the corner office.
From Mexico to the Global Helm
Espinosa began his Nissan journey in 2003 as a product specialist in the company’s Mexico planning division. Over two decades, he built his career across Thailand and Europe before arriving at Nissan’s global headquarters in Japan in 2016. He assumed the CEO role in April 2025, stepping into leadership at a critical moment for the automaker.
How Other CEOs Decompress
Espinosa is not alone in leaning on personal rituals for stress relief. Four Seasons CEO Alejandro Reynal starts each morning with a workout and quiet family time before the day begins. Curiosity Lab founder Michael Tennant wakes at 3 a.m. to meditate, journal, and set his