Navigating Global Careers: How to Prepare and be ready!

On 19 November, Key Consulting hosted its latest Peer-to-Peer Breakfast Networking Forum for HR and Finance leaders at the Tokyo American Club in Nihonbashi. What began as an early-morning gathering quickly evolved into a lively, thought-provoking exchange on how professionals can shape their careers and expand their influence in an increasingly borderless business environment. With more than 15 HR and Finance leaders participating, the session brought together a diverse mix of perspectives from across Tokyo’s international business community. We were especially encouraged by the high level of engagement throughout the morning, with thoughtful contributions and excellent questions from attendees.

The conversation was moderated by Key Consulting’s CEO, Neal Walters, who opened the session by highlighting the accelerating pace of globalisation shaping both HR and Finance roles. As organisations across Japan adapt to international talent markets, digital transformation, and shifting workforce expectations, leaders in these fields are under pressure not only to master functional excellence, but also to broaden their mindset and develop more globally attuned careers.

To explore these themes from multiple angles, the forum featured two distinguished speakers—each with a very different path yet united by a commitment to helping leaders thrive beyond traditional career boundaries.

Rina Sakuraba, PCC—former GE APAC HR Leader and now a leadership coach with Coaching Leaders Japan, offered a deeply personal and refreshing perspective on career evolution. Through the lens of her own transitions—from a corporate HR leader to an executive coach—Rina explored how embracing one’s authentic self can unlock new energy, purpose, and career possibilities.

She spoke candidly about the moments that required courage, including stepping away from linear career expectations and instead choosing roles that aligned with her values, identity, and strengths. For many attendees, Rina’s message served as an important reminder that global careers are not only built through international assignments or cross-border projects, but also through self-awareness, intentional decision-making, and the capacity to redefine one’s professional story.

The second speaker, Tom Verbeke, Head of HR Japan at Philip Morris and former Global Talent Management Leader, delivered a compelling talk on “Building Global Careers: What Drives Success in a Borderless Talent World.” Drawing on his extensive experience leading talent strategies across markets, Tom shared a pragmatic view of Japan’s ongoing efforts to globalise its workforce. He emphasized that while companies are investing heavily in developing global talent, individuals must also take ownership of their growth by cultivating mobility, adaptability, and cross-cultural fluency.

Tom highlighted several enablers of global career success, including the willingness to embrace unfamiliar roles, the importance of building international networks, and the value of continuous learning—particularly in areas where Japan is rapidly evolving, such as leadership capability development and talent mobility. His message resonated strongly with attendees navigating careers in organisations accelerating their global footprint.

The session concluded with an open discussion, further enriched by the active participation and thoughtful questions from the group. The combination of Tom’s strategic global insights and Rina’s authentic, human-centred approach created an energizing and balanced conversation—one that clearly resonated with leaders seeking to shape their careers in today’s rapidly shifting environment.

A warm thank you to Tom, Rina, and all the participants who made the morning so engaging. Key Consulting looks forward to welcoming even more C-Suite, HR and Finance leaders to participate in our next events in 2026, as we continue building a community of globally minded professionals across Japan & Asia, so Contact us if you want to be part of the community and the future discussions.