Speaking Engagements
Bilingual. Bicultural. 25 years across sectors. Here’s the conversation that captures it all.
Leading Across Borders | Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Podcast (April 2026)
Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Kitchener (April 14, 2026)
A 30-minute conversation with Greater KW Chamber of Commerce President Ian McLean on turning cultural differences into strategic advantage, building the Osaka-Waterloo business corridor, and what 17 years at Toyota taught me about leading across border.
My Upbringing & Aspirations | Voicy Japan Interview (February 2026)
Voicy, Japan - remote, (February 25, 2026)
A conversation in Japanese on Voicy, Japan’s leading voice platform, on how my upbringing and career journey shaped my passion for connecting my hometown Osaka with Waterloo, Canada.
What I’m Invited to Do
Design and moderate strategic programs, panels, and signature events
Facilitate strategic planning and alignment sessions for leadership teams
Deliver talks on operational excellence and project management, rooted in Japanese business practices
Lead interactive workshops on cross-functional and cross-cultural collaboration and alignment
Speak about Japan-Canada business relationships and cross-border collaboration
Participate in industry panels and moderated discussions
What Participants and Partners Say
“Tomoko brought a thoughtful and strategic approach to the design and delivery of the PMI-CTT 25th Anniversary Gala. We first connected through the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, and our conversation quickly turned to expanding community presence. From a sponsor perspective, the experience felt well aligned, engaging, and intentionally curated, creating meaningful visibility and connection opportunities. It was clear the event was designed not just as a celebration, but as a platform to bring the community together in a meaningful way.”
—Stephen Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, oneBADGE
“Tomoko is a clear and engaging speaker who brings authentic insights and lived experience to Canada–Japan business relations. Her perspective makes complex cross-cultural ideas accessible and relevant.”
— Lora Rigutto, CITP® / FIBP®, Partnerships & Community Lead, FITT
“Tomoko quickly grasped complex organizational information and translated it into clear, actionable steps. Her facilitation of our strategic planning process helped clarify gaps and gave our leadership team a focused direction aligned with PMI Global priorities.”
— Henry Hamud, Past President, Project Management Institute–Canada’s Technology Triangle (PMI-CTT)
A selection of recent speaking engagements, panels, and facilitation delivery.
Japan-Canada Business Success | Greater KW Chamber (February 2026)
The Walper Hotel, Kitchener (February 19, 2026)
Featured talk delivered at the Greater KW Chamber 3-Minute Networker event.
3-minute talk on strengthening Japan-Canada business collaboration through cultural understanding, operational discipline, and aligned leadership.
Shared four key principles for building lasting success and strong cross-border relationships.
“I really appreciate the way she engages the audience’s imagination and sense of possibility. It was an enlightening and hopeful presentation that stayed with me afterwards”
— Margaret Sullivan Williams, People and Culture Coach, Engaging Business Solutions
PMI-CTT 25th Anniversary Gala | PMI-CTT (April 2026)
Cambridge Mill, Cambridge (April 17, 2026)
Designed and delivered a cross-sector program aligned to a community growth theme, including partnership development, sponsorship, MC, and industry panel moderation
“The PMI-CTT 25th Anniversary Gala stood out as a thoughtfully designed and well-executed experience at the Cambridge Mill. The flow of the evening, from the key note to the industry panel, was clearly aligned with the community growth theme and created a cohesive and engaging program. Every element felt intentional, offering genuine opportunities for meaningful professional connection. Furthermore, Tomoko brought both structure and energy as MC, creating a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere.”
— Alice Raynard, President, Raynard Consult
“Tomoko brought a thoughtful and strategic approach to the design and delivery of the PMI-CTT 25th Anniversary Gala. We first connected through the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, and our conversation quickly turned to expanding community presence. From a sponsor perspective, the experience felt well aligned, engaging, and intentionally curated, creating meaningful visibility and connection opportunities. It was clear the event was designed not just as a celebration, but as a platform to bring the community together in a meaningful way.”
—Stephen Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, oneBADGE
Canada & Japan Success | Global Chamber Beyond Borders (January 2026)
Trowbridge, Toronto (January 29, 2026)
Insights on opportunities for Canadian companies in Japan and how cross-border success depends on the right principles and intentional alignment.
“Tomoko is a clear and engaging speaker who brings authentic insights and lived experience to Canada–Japan business relations. Her perspective makes complex cross-cultural ideas accessible and relevant.”
— Lora Rigutto, CITP® / FIBP®, Partnerships & Community Lead, FITT
“Her presentation on Japan as a strategic business partner opened our business group to a world of new possibilities. The mix of practical insights and real-world perspective was both inspiring and immediately useful.”
—Christopher Phillips, Executive English Teacher for Japanese Speakers, BeautifulAmeficanEnglish.com
Strategic Planning Facilitation | PMI-CTT (2025 & 2026)
Conestoga College Doon Campus, Kitchener (March 1, 2025)
Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener (March 7, 2026)
Co-facilitated annual strategic planning sessions with the PMI-CTT leadership team, supporting alignment with PMI Global priorities and translating complex organizational insights into clear, actionable direction.
“Tomoko quickly grasped complex organizational information and translated it into clear, actionable steps. Her facilitation of our strategic planning process helped clarify gaps and gave our leadership team a focused direction aligned with PMI Global priorities.”
— Henry Hamud, Past President, Project Management Institute–Canada’s Technology Triangle (PMI-CTT)
View the LinkedIn post: 2025
View the LinkedIn post: 2026
Industry Panel | Ontario Project Management Competition (March 2026)
Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (March 29, 2026)
Participated in the industry panel at the Ontario Project Management Competition conference, alongside fellow industry professionals.
The conversation brought together cross-sector perspectives on project leadership, highlighting practical insights and the capabilities required for future-ready project managers.
Guest Lecture | Smith MBA, Queen’s University (August 2025)
Queen’s University, Kingston (August 20, 2025)
Shared insights from my PMP (Project Management Professional) journey and MBA experience with students preparing for the PMP certification.
Discussing with students on cross-cultural leadership, global collaboration, and career paths as international professionals.
“The most valuable part was bringing cultural context and showing that project management is not limited to one field.”
“The session really highlighted the importance of cross-cultural alignment synergy in project management.”
“She brought great energy and experience and was inspiring in showing how the PMP can be used as a career pivot.”
Industry Fireside Chat Panel | Yorkville University MBA (March 2026)
Yorkville University Steels Campus, Toronto (March 10, 2026)
Panel discussion with MBA students exploring career paths, project management, and lessons from real-world leadership experiences.
PMI-CTT Student Outreach | Conestoga College (March 2026)
Conestoga College Waterloo Campus, Waterloo (March 9, 2026)
Joined a student meet-up as a guest speaker to share cross-industry experience and lessons from my project management journey.
Enjoyed conversations with IT project management students, many of them international students navigating both academic and cultural experiences in Canada.
“Meaningful, motivating, and insightful.”
“A presentation delivered in story style, always on point, with an engaging career journey.”
— Adelakun Oladepo, IT Project Management Student, Conestoga College
“The presentation was inspirational and encouraging.”
— Adedolapo Kehinde, IT Project Management Student, Conestoga College
If you are interested in bringing a talk, workshop, or strategic planning session to your organization, I'd be happy to connect.
Clarity and alignment for teams working across cultures.
Expertise & Approach
A strategic advisor who helps organizations align people, culture, and operations across your organization.
-
25+ years of leadership experience, including 15+ years at Toyota, with deep expertise in operational excellence and organizational change.
-
Bilingual (Japanese-English) advisor with deep insight into both business cultures, helping bridge gaps and strengthen alignment.
-
Certified Toyota Hoshin Kanri Master Trainer, PMP, Prosci Change Practitioner, and WBE Canada-certified.
-
The Authentify Alignment Journey™ and Lean Mx3™ simplify complexity and drive measurable results.