Tomoko King Cross-Cultural Strategist Bridging Japan and Canada

The Best of Both Worlds, Rooted in Lived Experience

Tomoko King - Japan-Canada bilingual consultant with cross-sector experience
Cherry blossom background symbolizing Japanese culture
Tomoko King - Toyota-trained leadership advisor and PMP consultant

My name is Tomoko King (友子), and I’m a bilingual cross-cultural strategist with roots in both Japan and Canada. Who I am today is deeply rooted in my personal, academic, and professional experiences across Japan, the U.S., and Canada. My career blends corporate and academic teaching roles, including 15+ years at Toyota, where I developed a solid foundation in world-class business principles and methodologies.

Over the last decade, I’ve applied these transferable skills across sectors such as municipal government, provincial healthcare, non-profits, and higher education. A central theme in my work has been a passion for creating environments where individuals and organizations are empowered to thrive. These experiences have shaped my people-centred, strategy-driven approach and deepened my belief in the power of engagement.

In my academic role, I teach project management at Conestoga College. Beyond academia, my focus is to help small to-mid-sized organizations to achieve operational and cultural excellence. My approach and frameworks blend the best of both worlds - drawing on Toyota-rooted discipline and Western business agility - to support strategy execution, cultural alignment, and team engagement. The goal is not simply to understand cultural differences, but to embrace them, take the best of both worlds, and achieve synergy - where people feel empowered, strategies come to life, and collaboration thrives across borders.

I’m also committed to giving back. Whether volunteering with the Project Management Institute’s local chapter or helping run youth sports clubs, I take pride in contributing to meaningful initiatives, that connect people, improve processes, and drive positive change.

Consider a community where women can engage meaningfully and feel supported by positive and encouraging relationships

Thriving women in Next Chapter Circle (TWINCCL - pronounced ‘twinkle’) is a flagship initiative in its early stages and one I am deeply passionate about. Envisioned as a membership-based community, TWINCCL empowers women in their mid-to-late careers to navigate unique challenges and embrace new opportunities. 

Qualifications

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    Wilfrid Laurier University

  • Certified Toyota Hoshin Kanri Master Trainer
    Global Toyota

  • Post-Secondary Teaching Certificate
    Conestoga College

  • Certified Facilitator
    Development Dimensions International

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
    Project Management Institute

  • Certified Change Practitioner
    Prosci

  • Broadening Opportunities for Leadership Development (B.O.L.D.) Certificate
    Diversity Advantage International / Schulich School of Business

  • Digital Lean Sigma Champions Certificate
    SRA Academy

  • Micro-Credentials in subjects including Intercultural and International Teaching Skills Conestoga College

  • Certified Women Business Enterprise
    WBE Canada

Tomoko King - Scottish Family
Tomoko King - Japanese family

  • My roots

    My name, Tomoko, means “your friend” or “a child with a heart of friendship” in Japanese, a reflection of the values of connection and warmth that I strive to embody in my personal and professional life.

    Click to hear “Tomoko” pronounced

  • Connection & Support

    Beyond my professional life, I am deeply connected to my family. They have been a constant source of support and inspiration. I cherish spending time with my loved ones, whether it’s exploring new places, enjoying simple moments together, or supporting each other’s personal and professional growth. My family’s values influence the work I do and the relationships I build.

  • Family Journey

    I was born to Japanese parents in Ottawa during my father’s two-year research tenure at the National Research Council (NRC). We returned to Japan before I turned two, and I spent my childhood there. As the only one in my family with dual citizenship, I always knew I wanted to return to Canada.

    After attending college in Hawaii, I made my way back to Canada, completed my BA, and after some travelling and working in a few resorts, settled back in Ontario, where I began my career at Toyota. It was there I met my husband, Brian, who had immigrated from Scotland. We bonded over surprising cultural similarities between Japan and Scotland, and eventually got married.

    Over the years, our families have become closely connected. My Japanese family and Canadian family friends have built lasting relationships, and there are strong ties between my Japanese and Scottish families as well. We’ve made our home in Guelph, where we’re raising our two sons, and feel fortunate to also share many special moments with my wonderful stepchildren.