Founder Profile
Tomoko Matsukawa
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From advising hedge fund clients, designing fellowships for changemakers, and coaching startup leaders to supporting Japanese multinationals on talent strategy, Tomoko’s throughline is clear: a deep commitment to how people learn and take meaningful action.
Across finance, social enterprise, and organizational development, she empowers individuals, teams, and communities to grow with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
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Over two decades, Tomoko has worked across sectors and scales:
Corporate: Goldman Sachs (finance), Globis (organizational learning consulting)
Global Social Impact: Acumen (leadership development, impact investment), UNICEF (mentoring program for staff)
Community Initiatives: Acumen (global volunteer network), JWN (Japanese women’s network in NYC)
This range enables her to move fluidly between institutions and innovation—always grounded in people-centered growth.
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Tomoko’s work is grounded in the belief that sustainable change happens through how people learn, relate, and adapt—not just what they know.
Her approach integrates:
Social Constructivism – learning through dialogue and experience
Systems Thinking – understanding individuals in the context of larger systems
Adaptive Leadership – helping people lead amid complexity and change
Connectivism – leveraging networks and shared knowledge
Experiential Learning – designing environments that foster reflection and real-world application
These foundations guide how she facilitates growth—both within individuals and across organizations.
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As a community builder, Tomoko co-leads a network of Japanese women professionals in New York—creating shared learning spaces for growth across life stages and industries.
As a content creator, she has blogged for over a decade and produced three Japanese-language podcasts: edamametalk, Manabi no Hanashi, and Moms in Transition. Her work explores themes like identity, cross-cultural life, parenting, and transformative learning.
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Executive M.S. in Human Resource Management – Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College
M.Ed. in Technology, Innovation & Education – Harvard Graduate School of Education
Certified Upbuild Coach®
Completed Co-Active Coach® Training &PQ Coaching Grant Program
Completed Mental Health Literacy for Coaches (Institute of Coaching)
What People Are Saying
"Tomoko brings a rare blend of compassion and curiosity to every interaction. Her ability to distill complexity into clarity and offer meaningful insight makes her an invaluable partner in tackling any project or challenge.” If you’re navigating a period of transition—whether in your career or personal life—or feeling challenged in finding deeper meaning and purpose, I highly recommend working with her. She offers expert guidance and personalized support to help you uncover fresh strategies and creative solutions tailored to your unique journey.” — L.I. (Technology)
“Tomoko is a thoughtful accelerator – She has this rare mix of deep empathy and sharp clarity. She brings out the best in people and helps them move forward with confidence and purpose. If you’re someone who’s figuring out what’s next or trying to grow something with meaning, I highly recommend working with her. She brings calm, care, and just the right push to help you get there.” — L.F. (Non profit)
“Tomoko is “a clear-headed co-explorer” – she didn’t drag me out of the woods, she walked beside me until I could see the path myself. If you’re feeling lost in leadership or unsure how you fit into the frameworks out there, I recommend working with her — she’ll meet you where you are and guide you forward with clarity and care. If you want someone to help you make sense of your leadership without prescribing who you should be, she’s the one.” — K.K. (Design)
A Peek Into How Tomoko Thinks and Leads
Tomoko believes that self-awareness isn’t just a personal asset — it’s a foundation for better teams, deeper learning, and more meaningful collaboration. She regularly draws on a mix of assessment tools to better understand herself and help others navigate differences with empathy and clarity.
Here’s a glimpse into her own profile:
StrengthsFinder Top 5: Ideation, Strategic, Woo, Positivity, Communication
PrinciplesYou: Impresario (followed by Promoter and Inspirer)
Keirsey Temperament: Teacher (ENFJ as part of the Idealist group)
The Values Bridge: Scope, Non Sibi, Voice, Belonging, Familycentrism
Top Saboteur: Stickler (followed by Pleaser)
These tools don’t define her — but they offer insights into how she approaches learning, leading, and supporting others.