MindShift Japan - meet our trainers
J. Kristina
Originally from Australia, Kristina has lived and worked in Japan for over 30 years, building a distinguished career in the Japanese branches of leading global IT firms. A graduate of the International Christian University in Tokyo with a degree in International Relations, she began her career at a Fujitsu group company and went on to help launch the Japan subsidiary of a U.S. software firm. Her experience includes leadership roles at Dell Inc., Microsoft Japan, and currently, a major international consulting firm. As both a foreigner and a woman navigating Japan’s corporate world, she has personally overcome the unique challenges of being a double minority.
These experiences have become the foundation of Kristina’s work: for the past 15 years, she has led training programs on Growth Mindset, Multiplier Leadership, and Intercultural Understanding. With deep insight into cultural dynamics and organizational management in global environments, she empowers leaders and teams to bridge differences and build thriving, diverse workplaces.
Trainer Experience：
- Employee leadership training to 5,000+ employees in Japan since 2010
- Over 100 clients including traditional Japanese regional banks, foreign insurance companies in Japan, Japanese Manufacturing giants and Multinational human resourcing & staffing Service Providers (since 2018）
- Certified trainer at Authentic Leader’s Acadamia since 2014
- Mentor for the Women in Technology Japan (WITJ) Community since 2012
Articles：
- 「Navigating a career and breaking barriers as a foreigner in Japan」 by Nikkei X-Woman
- 「Role Model Interview」 by Women in Technology Japan
MindShift Japan – Founder
Melissa Tarantola
Melissa earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri, where she developed expertise in areas highly relevant to HR and organizational development, including motivation science and psychometrics—the rigorous science of psychological measurement. The seven years she spent working as a therapist gave her firsthand insight into wellbeing and the practical application of evidence-based strategies to enhance individual functioning. Committed to advancing equity and inclusion, Melissa led multiple initiatives aimed at building more inclusive environments in the workplace.
In 2020, Melissa relocated to Japan and transitioned into the HR and mental health tech sectors, applying her scientific acumen to psychology-driven startups. There, she spearheaded the development of innovative employee analytics tools and training programs for managers, tailored to elevate performance and workplace culture. Her work in psychological safety has been praised by leading experts in the field, attracted attention from global HR leaders, and was featured in a prominent business publication.
Publications（English）：
- 6 ways Japan Can Create Psychological Safety in Workplace (Globis Insights)
A guidebook on the cultural vuneralibities impacting the workplace in Japan - Psychological Safety Workbook
A guidebook outlining evidence-based strategies for improving team psychological safety to enhance employee performance and wellbeing.
- White Paper: Psychological Safety and the Hybrid Work Era The world of work has changed. Prompted by the pandemic, organizations everywhere have been forced to rethink how they do business to accommodate remote and flexible working arrangements for their employees.
Dr. Melissa Tarantola
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology