Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Kyoko Adachi
Kyoko is a global marketing and communications professional whose journey has taken her from New York to Tokyo and now to Los Angeles. Along the way, she has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Google, Uber, and Airbnb. As Strategy Director at EssenceMediacom, part of the global advertising group WPP, Kyoko led creative and award-winning brand campaigns that reached millions of people worldwide.
Raised in New York and fluent in both Japanese and American cultures, Kyoko is passionate about connecting ideas, people, and perspectives across borders. She earned her Master’s degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. Committed to empowering the next generation of global leaders, Kyoko has mentored young women through programs such as the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program and the U.S. Embassy’s Girls Unlimited Program, encouraging them to lead with confidence, empathy and curiosity.
Can you tell me about your journey to becoming a USJC member after being involved with TOMO alumni and programs?
My journey to the USJC started through the TOMODACHI program. As a TOMO alumnus, I was already connected to a wide range of networks in Japan. When I relocated from Japan to the United States, I reached out to the TOMODACHI Regional Representative in Southern California, Arianna, who is my friend and who was already a USJC member. So through her, I was able to learn a lot about how to stay engaged and build a wider network through USJC.
How has the TOMODACHI experience influenced your life and career?
Being part of the TOMODACHI community gave me a strong sense of belonging among leaders. It made me feel more confident and bold when making major life decisions, like relocating from Japan to the U.S. It also helped me expand my professional network, especially when I was switching careers.
In what ways do you engage with the TOMODACHI community and why?
I stay connected with people I’ve met through holiday cards and occasional check-ins. When I’m job hunting or navigating career changes, I reach out to the TOMODACHI community for advice and perspective. The TOMODACHI community is a trusted, experienced, and powerful network of leaders, which makes their guidance especially valuable to me.
Currently, you are an Ikebana Artist and Founder of Slow Ikebana. What inspired you to start this business?
After years of working in the fast-working corporate world, I learned how deeply leaders need clarity and presence. Ikebana has been a long-time hobby of mine, all about observing, listening, and accepting as is. Through ikebana, I was able to identify and connect mutual core values between ikebana and the business leaders’ skill sets. That mindset mirrors what reflective leadership is, and that inspired me to start my own business. Slow Ikebana is a concept of slowing down where our workshops are a place to reflect on your pace and offer a space to pause intentionally and practice mindfulness.
Can you tell me about the kind of work you did as a Strategy Director at EssenceMediacom? What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned from this position?
As a Strategy Director at EssenceMediacom, I worked with tech clients including Google, Uber, and Airbnb. I focused on advertising and giving strategic direction on how they should show up in the modern media mix. The most unexpected thing I learned is that success doesn’t always come from doing the right thing, but it’s critical to learn how to collaborate with people of different backgrounds and perspectives.
I noticed you speak and are a panelist for many events like the TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program. What were some questions that surprised you?
One question that stood out to me was a high school student who asked, “What if I don’t know what I want to do professionally?” That question reminded me how powerful it is to learn through trial and error. You don’t need everything figured out in the beginning. I think it’s more important to have the courage to show up and take that first step. There was a time when I also didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I learned to go with the flow and had to learn for myself what I enjoyed.
What are you currently doing for work and what do you enjoy most about it?
After two decades in marketing, I came full circle and am now learning the most basic form of sales. I’m currently working at Balmuda USA as a sales representative in Southern California. Balmuda is known as a minimalist lifestyle design brand from Japan, offering products ranging from toasters and microwaves to kettles and other kitchen appliances. I enjoy introducing Balmuda products to customers through live demonstrations and live pop-up events in the LA area. I think having direct conversations with customers is the simplest and most human form of sales and marketing.
As an early careers mentor, what advice would you give to someone starting in this current job market?
Be adaptable because change is the only constant thing. Stay curious, be open-minded and keep learning. Be open to evolving your path as changes emerge.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
The previous year was a challenge as I transitioned into a new chapter: becoming a working mom. I now have a five-month-old daughter, but at the time, I was pregnant while job-searching. However, I persevered, kept applying, made connections, and was grateful to land a new job while almost 8 months pregnant.
What advice can you give to those interested in working in Japan?
A global perspective has always had a big influence in my career. We’re all familiar with IQ and EQ, but CQ, or cultural intelligence, is just as important in today’s world. It’s understanding how people with different backgrounds can work together. For example, what can be seen as direct and confident in the United States, can come across as aggressive in Japan. Learning when to speak, listen, and how to show respect is very important when working in Japan. I would be mindful when it comes to choosing the right words.
Did you ever imagine you would end up in sales after working in corporate for so long?
No, this was a complete pivot for me. It’s showing how I can adapt to the changing circumstances, fast-paced industry, and how AI’s evolving. So I myself needed to be open-minded and adapt. Currently, we’re thinking about moving back to Japan, so I need to consider what I want to do next in my career, whether I want to continue in sales, continue in marketing, or try something new.
This alumni highlight interview was conducted by Camille Nikaido on January 22, 2026. Camille is currently an alumni intern with the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.
