Hi, I'm Reina (she/her/hers).
I’m a leadership, career, team, and Birkman coach.
I’m a former MBA Career Center Director turned freelance coach. For 15 years I worked in higher education (University of Toronto and WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management), and now I run my own coaching, training and assessment business.
Born in Japan but raised in various countries, I call myself a Canadian-ified Japanese. I was raised in Taipei, Michigan and Osaka, then lived in Toronto and Düsseldorf, and now I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As a Third Culture Kid and an expat, I've learned to navigate cultural complexities and channel them into my coaching practice. People always ask if I’m American because of my accent, but no, I’m a Canadian-ified Japanese ;)
Moving between countries has moulded my identity, presenting challenges like the need to be a cultural chameleon. From learning to be more assertive in interviews in Canada to fitting into the Japanese professional landscape, I've become adept at navigating different cultural expectations. It's this adaptability that I bring to my coaching, helping people embrace their authentic selves.
I’m an ICF-certified Professional Co-Active Coach, certified Birkman consultant, and trained in ORSC (Organization, Relationship, and System Coaching). I love all aspects of the coaching that I do - working with individuals and leaders on their personal and professional lives, MBA students on their career journeys, and small teams who want to better navigate team conflicts and improve organization culture. I use the Birkman as a personality and workplace assessment, which helps to uncover people’s strengths, needs, and potential areas for growth.
Degrees & Credentials
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
ACC through the ICF
ORSC (Organization, Relationship and System Coaching) trainining completed
Masters of Education from the University of Toronto, OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education)
Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, majors in Communication & Professional Writing

Our little family: Joe (husband), Jin (kid), and me
In Canada, the University of Toronto was "home" - I started as an undergraduate student there, then became an employee, then a Masters student while I worked.

All throughout high school and university I was a camp counselor and still love working with kids today!

I was on a somewhat-competitive-but-silly dragonboat team in Toronto for 4 years and still miss it!

I love traveling, and having a kid hasn't stopped us from going anywhere! This was in Athens when Jin was just a year old.

I love wine, though I do love it more when I can enjoy it sans kid