MindShift Japan - meet our team
Our dedicated team supporting our diverse clients
J. Kristina
MindShift Japan Founder/ Leadership & Cross-Culture Trainer
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）
Certifications:
- Certified trainer at Authentic Leader's Acadamia since 2014
Articles：
- 「Navigating a career and breaking barriers as a foreigner in Japan」 by Nikkei X-Woman
- 「Role Model Interview」 by Women in Technology Japan
Dr. Melissa Tarantola
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology / Coach for HR, Managers and Emerging Leaders
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.ence.
Mayumi Tada
Coach for Managers and Emerging Leaders
With over 30 years of experience at a global IT firm, Mayumi has navigated a dynamic career spanning marketing, sales, and organizational transformation. She successfully adapted through two corporate mergers and multiple career transitions—gaining firsthand insight into what it takes to thrive in evolving business environments. Today, she draws on this rich experience to coach current and aspiring managers, helping them strengthen their leadership presence and communication skills. Her coaching focuses on practical, business-grounded Japanese and presentation techniques, empowering professionals to lead with clarity and confidence.
Maya Sato
Coach Assistant
Having grown up between Japan and abroad, Maya developed a deep cross-cultural sensitivity from an early age—giving her a multicultural perspective that strongly influences her work. After earning a degree in International Business from Rikkyo University, she launched her career at global IT firms, specializing in marketing and business development across international markets. Her passion for cultural connection led her to Mexico, where she spent four years building bridges between Japanese and local companies. Today, she leverages her bilingual expertise to help U.S. accelerators and Japanese businesses successfully expand across borders, offering strategic marketing support rooted in cultural fluency and global insight.
Emilija Shimizu
Japanese Language Instructor for Global Talent
For more than two decades, Emilija has brought languages and cultures together through interpretation and translation. Her work has ranged from international cooperation and diplomatic interpreting to live translation for government officials, sporting events, and television networks. Currently, she brings her linguistic expertise into the classroom—teaching at a Japanese language school where she instructs foreign professionals.