By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Toriana Lokey, purchasing and import assistant at Morimoto Lighting/Hoonigan, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.
Lokey was nominated by her peer, Haley Keelin. Get to know Lokey through Keelin's interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: How has Toriana contributed to her company?
Haley Keelin: Tori is the kind of person who holds everything together without needing to be asked. As the purchasing and import assistant, she plays a huge role in keeping our operations running smoothly, but her impact goes far beyond just her title. From keeping our team organized and on track to navigating major transitions and growth, she's been the backbone of so much of our success.
She brings structure, clarity and an incredible sense of teamwork to everything she touches. On top of that, she brings energy and positivity into the workplace every single day. Tori genuinely cares about the people around her, and it shows in the way she works, the way she leads, and the culture she helps build.
SN: How has Toriana shown leadership in the industry or business?
HK: Tori leads in a way that isn't loud or flashy, but it's powerful. She consistently steps up beyond the scope of her role, helping to organize and lead company-wide events that bring people together and promote a positive, inclusive culture. These aren't part of her job description, but she treats them with just as much care and dedication as her core responsibilities.
One example that stands out: Tori and I worked together on several internal events, and she was instrumental in every stage--planning, coordination, execution--you name it. Her attention to detail and calm, collected approach made the process not just successful, but enjoyable. She brings out the best in those around her, whether it's through logistics, team morale or just making sure no one is left behind. That's real leadership.
SN: Tell us a success story that you can share about Toriana.
HK: One of the most recent and impressive examples of Tori's leadership was during our warehouse transition. It was a massive undertaking. Our warehouse lead had just left the team, and we were tasked with transferring our entire inventory to new locations. It was the kind of project that could easily overwhelm anyone.
But Tori didn't hesitate. She stepped up and took ownership of the process from start to finish. She coordinated logistics, kept the inventory organized, motivated the team and made sure everything moved forward without disrupting day-to-day operations. Thanks to her, what could have been a chaotic transition turned into a smooth and successful move. It's just one of many times she's proven how essential she is to our team.
SN: How many years has Toriana been in the industry?
HK: More than three years.
SN: What quality do you admire most about Toriana and why?
HK: The quality I admire most about Tori is her organizational skills, closely followed by her ability to brighten a room with her smile. She has a way of bringing structure and clarity to even the most chaotic situations. Whether it's managing vendor communications, keeping track of incoming shipments or coordinating internal timelines, Tori always seems to be two steps ahead. It's that level of organization that allows the rest of us to do our jobs with confidence.
But what makes her truly special is that she pairs all of that precision and drive with warmth and positivity. Her smile is often the thing that reminds us, even in the middle of a long day, that we're all in it together.
SN: Why do you think Toriana is a role model in the industry?
HK: Because any woman in this industry would be lucky to mirror the work ethic, drive and determination that Tori brings to the table every single day. She doesn't just get the job done; she gets it done right with purpose and consistency. And she does it all while being someone people genuinely enjoy being around.
Her ability to balance high performance with kindness, professionalism with personality, and structure with adaptability is what makes her such a standout. Tori sets the bar for what it means to lead by example.
Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.
The program combines tactical leadership sessions with emotional intelligence development, self-reflection and community building. Each segment of the agenda contributed to reshaping how I lead, influence and inspire others within my organization and industry.
