4.9 / 5
GoOverseas
Meet Our Team
A truly global team made up of 17 different nationalities and seated across 12 countries. We come from various backgrounds and walks of life, yet share one thing in common – we live (or have lived) abroad, and embrace the transformative impact of travel, cultural immersion, diverse interactions, and unique experiences. It is this shared passion that unites us in our commitment to crafting programs that create life-changing opportunities. We look forward to meeting you!
9.6 / 10
GoAbroad
4.6 / 5
Trustpilot
Leadership
Ryan Walker
CEO
Starting off as a school dropout, Ryan embarked on his career journey at an early age. What began with manual labor jobs from the age of 16 soon evolved into a vision for a brighter future. Proactively acquiring the necessary skills, he secured a position at KPMG at the age of 17, where he spent six years shaping his early career.
Initially joining in a back-office role, he quickly transitioned to consulting where he led several large-scale projects for some of the world’s biggest brands. During his time at KPMG, he also launched a successful new business unit within the advisory function which helped to secure £15 million in revenue in the first year alone. After six great years, Ryan knew it was time for a change and joined a leading Fintech cloud services provider in London where he was responsible for new products and acquisitions. The next chapter led him to Hong Kong, where he became a Product Director at a tech company, overseeing the product business and its transformation. In 2014, Ryan decided to leave his role and pursue his own entrepreneurial ventures.
He has dedicated more than 10 years to building his own businesses and has also provided consulting to Private Equity firms across Asia. Currently based in Singapore, he heads Beyond Academy, leading a remarkable global team of 50+ people who create life-changing experiences for our customers every day.
Ryan is the proud father of five girls, including twin babies and three adorable fluffy dogs. When he manages to get out of the office or house, you’ll likely find him at F45, or indulging in delicious food.
Joy Lai
COO
Hailing from the sunny island of Singapore, Joy is a true globetrotter who has spent almost a quarter of her life living and working abroad in different countries. Her first experience away in Russia while she was a student spurred her on to pursue other opportunities around the world, and this was what enabled her to build up a diverse professional background spanning the industries of advertising, cosmetics, e-commerce and international trade.
In the evenings and on weekends, you may bump into Joy – wherever in the world she is – having a glass of wine al fresco with her dog, hanging out upside down at an aerial arts studio or indulging in local culinary delights. Joy hopes to inspire potential Beyonders to take this leap of faith and see where the path may lead. One way or another, excitement guaranteed!
David
CFO
David has served in a number of senior leadership roles and was the CEO of a leading compliance advisory firm, The Red Flag Group (300+ employees), before successfully coordinating and advising on its sale to a major global multinational.
Before that, he served for a decade with Ernst & Young and was also the Asia-Pacific Finance Director for a New York Stock Exchange–listed software company. While based in China, he established his own advisory practice serving multinational companies operating in China and various Asia-Pacific emerging markets. David has worked across Asia and has been based in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai for the past 27 years.
Murray Dare
Head of Marketing
Murray has a career building and executing marketing strategies for companies such as Aviva, Randstad and Ministry of Sound.
Based in the UK, Murray work has always been focused on helping companies reach their potential through efficient online marketing growth.
Murray also owns a marketing consultancy, which works a variety of global businesses.
When not working, Murray runs, reads sci-fi and paddle boards.
Summer Lim
Head of Role Success
Born and raised in sunny Singapore, Summer is passionate about making things work the way they were built to work, which explains her deck of experience in building, managing and enhancing operational processes for startups, e-commerce, and travel tech. She often shuttles between Singapore and Taipei, where she took her degree in Marketing Communications, and even spent an entire summer working at a surf shop in Yilan. When she’s not working, you can find her cooking up new recipes for her loved ones, spending “me” time lounging in bed with her novels and Webtoon, or simply being a water baby in the pool or at the sea.
Emma Gooding
General Counsel
Emma is a dual-qualified lawyer (England & Wales and Hong Kong). After graduating in Law from Cambridge University, she trained as a solicitor in London with Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy, also spending time in the firm’s New York office. Emma loved her experience of working overseas, and so embarked on her next adventure, relocating to Asia where she has spent 15 happy years.
Emma requalified as a solicitor in Hong Kong with Herbert Smith Freehills, combining this with delivering professional legal training to junior solicitors and barristers. Emma is also an accredited mediator. Emma still loves to travel, and wishes Beyond Academy had been providing internships when she was at University, when she was instead obliged to spend her summers working in a fish and chip shop.
Marketing
Murray Dare
Head of Marketing
Murray has a career building and executing marketing strategies for companies such as Aviva, Randstad and Ministry of Sound.
Based in the UK, Murray work has always been focused on helping companies reach their potential through efficient online marketing growth.
Murray also owns a marketing consultancy, which works a variety of global businesses.
When not working, Murray runs, reads sci-fi and paddle boards.
Megan Ruff
Social Media Manager
Megan is a digital & content strategist living in London and travelling the world as often as possible. Initially torn between travelling and starting a career after studying Music at The University of Leeds, Megan chose the career route, deciding that once she had enough experience (and cash) she’d head out on her travels. Not long after, Megan realised she could, in fact, do both, by working remotely around the world. Since that revelation struck, she has spent time travelling around Europe, in South Africa and South America exploring and working. Megan has worked on countless social media campaigns across the music and entertainment industry, from artists such as Dua Lipa to Craig David, Years & Years to Lily Allen, and now is happily tying travel and education into her career by working with Beyond Academy.
Nick McGowan
Marketing
Nick was born in Manchester, England. He developed his passion for creativity by studying English Literature at the University of Exeter. After finishing university, he picked up the travel bug, exploring as much of Europe and meeting as many new people as he could. He joined Beyond Academy to mix his two loves of creativity and travelling, and when he’s not working, you’ll find him running, baking, and writing.
Role Success
Summer Lim
Head of Role Success
Born and raised in sunny Singapore, Summer is passionate about making things work the way they were built to work, which explains her deck of experience in building, managing and enhancing operational processes for startups, e-commerce, and travel tech. She often shuttles between Singapore and Taipei, where she took her degree in Marketing Communications, and even spent an entire summer working at a surf shop in Yilan. When she’s not working, you can find her cooking up new recipes for her loved ones, spending “me” time lounging in bed with her novels and Webtoon, or simply being a water baby in the pool or at the sea.
Fozia Berg
Role Success Partnerships Lead
Meet Fozia, the sunshine enthusiast hailing from the lively town of Morden in Surrey! Born and raised amidst a bustling, uproarious family, Fozia’s life has always been a vibrant whirlwind.
With a knack for sales, management, and recruitment that’s as impressive as her family’s decibel level, Fozia has a unique talent for coaxing out the best in people. Her superpower? An irresistible, “”I want to know everything about you”” attitude that instantly turns strangers into friends!
But Fozia’s interests go far beyond the boardroom. She’s a mental well-being champion, and you’ll often find her on foot, embarking on epic nature-filled walks, where she’s most at home. When she’s not communing with the great outdoors, Fozia transforms into a glam explorer, donning her glitzy attire to seek out the quirkiest and most unique places to indulge in delicious food, sip on tasty drinks, and revel in unforgettable moments with her cherished friends and family.
So, if you’re ever in need of a hearty laugh, a profound conversation, or an adventure to an offbeat eatery, Fozia is your go-to gal.
Myunghwa Annie An
Partnerships Specialist
Born in Busan, Annie studied fashion marketing and graduated in London. Shortly after working in Korea, Seoul, Annie had an life-changing opportunity to be part of an education project in Uganda, working as a project manager to improve and maintain the Fashion and garment department in 5 different universities that were rebuilt by Korean government.
Since then, Annie has broadened her outlook on what she wants her career to look like, and wants to contribute to missions and companies that focus on building experiences for young aspiring professionals in the international work, social and cultural aspects. As a passionate, ambitious, self-motivated, and highly responsible individual, you’ll find yourself thoroughly inspired after a chat with Annie!
Zachary Tan
Placement Manager
Zach comes from Malaysia, and after spending 4-years studying International Business in Australia, has built a career in Food & Beverage – Imports/Exports, as well as in Sports Management, before joining the team at Beyond Academy as a Role Success Specialist. Travel is also something that is a lifelong goal of his, and he definitely understands the value of exploring the world and gaining exposure in his personal and professional life which is why he has a deep connection with Beyond Academy’s program.
In his free time, Zach spends his time going on hikes, playing indoor soccer, and enjoying a nice cup of coffee!
Ana Beatha Castil
Visa Specialist
Ana has worn plenty of hats trying to figure out what she wants to do. She has done work in legal academic and career fields, has worked on human resource and recruitment functions for numerous start-ups in different countries and a licensed aviator as well.
There has always been space for learning and expanding knowledge for Ana and she believes that in all kinds of careers, one thing she is passionate about is being able to connect and help people. Ana’s love for all those things mentioned above has landed her a role in Beyond Academy as a visa associate. Being able to research, create guides, assist in visa processes and connect with people are all the good outcomes of the previous hats she has worn.
Outside of her workspace- you will find her at an airport to travel or fly, by the beach to simply relax and have a quiet time or at home spending time with her 4 tiny dogs.
Chloe Kelly
Placement Manager
Born in Ireland but living around the globe since 2012, Chloe is an avid world traveler with a passion for helping others to achieve their dreams and goals. She loves meeting new people and learning about their language and culture. She specialises in the Customer Experience Industry and has been working in many different sectors within the industry for over 15 years. In her free time she enjoys everything outdoorsy and is a keen singer/songwriter who teaches students to kitesurf as a side hobby.
Franchesca Rodriquez
Partnerships Specialist
Born in the Dominican Republic and curious to live outside of the beautiful Caribbean, Franchesca began to travel and get to know Europe, a continent she fell in love with. Nine years ago she decided to settle in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain, where she started her professional career in Customer Success and Business Support, functions that she is passionate about since she enjoys management and organization, both in her professional and personal life. With a degree in Business Administration and 8 years of experience as Executive Assistant and more than 5 years of experience as Sales and Business Development, has always been passionate and interested in administrative management, strategic implementation, creation, management, control and follow-up of client portfolios. Establishing negotiations and maintaining good professional relationships has always been part of her work life.
She is an animal lover in general, especially cats and enjoys nature very much. A getaway in the mountains is something that should not be missing in your days of relaxation. Also enjoy reading, working out, going out for a good glass of wine and a nice dinner.
Hollie Wild
Placement Manager
With over a decade of experience in people-centric roles, Hollie enjoys connecting with new faces and learning what makes individuals tick. With a versatile background spanning customer service, sales, management, and training, she’s joined us here at Beyond Academy, eager to assist in your journey being an exciting and rewarding one.
Having loved what Beyond Academy stands for, Hollie is a strong advocate for learning in ways that suit you best and feels Beyond Academy and its programs are a shining example of that. This, alongside the opportunity for personal growth and the chance to travel to incredible destinations, will have her brimming with enthusiasm (perhaps with a hint of envy) which she’ll be excited to share with you during your time working together.
Outside of her professional life, Hollie attends multiple dance classes, an ever-growing passion. She’s also a big lover of animals, games (of the video, board, and card varieties), and spending time looking at travel inspiration for her next getaway. She looks forward to finding out more about you.
Partnerships
Miranda Carrasquillo
University Partnerships Associate
Based in the US, Miranda grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Always fond of school, she earned her B.A. in Psychology in 2017, then promptly earned a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in 2019. Higher education has always been dear to her, and she brings varied university administration experience—from her graduate assistantship with her alma mater Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, to her time in sunny California as a Head Residential Advisor for scholars of color at UC Berkeley.
She most recently worked at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania where she served as the Civic Engagement Director for two years and hosted campus blood drives, community service events, and significantly increased student voting engagement.
Miranda has studied abroad in Ireland and Scotland, volunteered in Costa Rica, vacationed in Belize, and one day her and her partner hope to visit each continent (or all 50 states–probably not both). She also hopes to visit with family more often on the beautiful Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. She adores her partner, her houseplants, and their adopted large weiner dog, Marci. When not working, Miranda enjoys kickboxing, swimming, dog walking, craft beer, stand-up comedy, and planning outings and adventures with her friends!
She is an animal lover in general, especially cats and enjoys nature very much. A getaway in the mountains is something that should not be missing in your days of relaxation. Also enjoy reading, working out, going out for a good glass of wine and a nice dinner.
Admissions
Mariam Cook
Admissions Lead
Mariam was born and raised in the bustling and vibrant city of London. After graduating in teaching, Mariam taught in local schools in West London but always had a love for travel and adventure. Being half Malaysian, she decided to take a deep dive into her heritage and moved to Malaysia for a year to teach and travel. This ignited her passion of exploring the world and so she made the decision to continue to accomplish her dreams of living abroad. Mariam moved on to teach in the British international school sector in Dubai and Thailand for the coming years. Mariam is passionate about helping others, meeting new people and exploring different cultures, cities and of course, cuisines!
When not working, Mariam loves to spend her time outdoors – going on hikes and exploring a different city whilst sipping on lots of coffee! She is a huge animal enthusiast who has rescued, fostered and adopted animals from around the world and actively volunteers her time with local animal rescue centers. On those rainy London days, Mariam loves a good binge-worthy show whilst crafting for her small business Etsy shop.
Bethany Stewart
Program Associate
Bethany was born in London, coming from a big family full of people and dogs. She completed an art foundation at the University of the Creative Arts, followed by a BA Hons degree at London College of Fashion. Between studying and travelling she worked in a number of hospitality, retail, administrative and customer service roles. In 2018 she decided to go on her biggest adventure backpacking across the world, from South America to Asia. This trip lead to her living in Australia for a year, working for a luxury designer brand in Sydney and then on a rural farm in Bundaberg. Bethany loves to help people and is a passionate vegan and environmentalist. She started her own Creative Virtual Assistant business centred around her values of kindness and sustainability.
Matilda Cukas
Admissions Associate
A Business Psychology enthusiast with a passion for exploration and connecting with people from all walks of life.
Currently pursuing a degree in Business Psychology in London, Matilda is a highly motivated individual with a natural talent for building rapport and fostering deep connections. Hailing from Greece, Matilda has had the opportunity to live in Dubai for five years, immersing herself in the vibrant cultural tapestry of the city. This experience, coupled with her extensive travel adventures to 46 countries, has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the world’s diverse cultures and cuisines.
Driven by a passion for supporting others and fostering cross-cultural understanding, Matilda is eager to leverage her business psychology expertise to make a positive impact in the working environment. She believes that effective communication and a genuine understanding of human behavior are key to creating a robust workspace.
In her free time, Matilda enjoys exploring new destinations and immersing herself in local customs. She is always eager to learn more about the world around her and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ruka Olunlade
Admissions Associate
Ruka was born and raised in Nigeria and moved to the United States when she was nine years old. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Stockton University in New Jersey. She then earned her Master’s in Higher Education and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Leadership Studies from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
Ruka has served in various higher education admissions, recruiting, and advising roles to support college students. When she is not at school or work, you can find her running on her favorite trail to prep for a marathon, competitively eating, or sleeping at odd hours.
Ruka is excited to be at Beyond Academy because of her love of supporting others and connecting them to opportunities that will enrich their lives.
Monica Rangel
Admissions Associate
Monica was born in the United States (Texas) and has lived in Rhode Island since 2016. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and following graduation, spent significant time working in Marketing and Collegiate Admissions in these roles it was essential for her to travel to numerous locations domestically and abroad, including China and Puerto Rico. Alongside her role with Beyond Academy, Monica works full time in Admissions at an all girls independent school in Rhode Island.
Bianca Billings
Admissions Associate
Meet Bianca! She is based in the US but never stays in one place for too long before embarking on her next adventure. Some of the countries she has cherished visiting the most include Mexico, Israel, and Nicaragua. Exploring Europe is next on her list!
Bianca brings a wealth of experience in admissions, enrollment and student advising throughout her career. Moreover, having completed an international internship in Costa Rica herself, she can truly connect with Beyond Academy interns on a personal level. As a longtime theatre enthusiast, Bianca once had the privilege of performing with a touring Broadway show at the age of 11, and her passion for the performing arts continues to thrive. Whether it’s cooking, creating art, traveling, or decorating her house, Bianca revels in keeping herself occupied and is eager to contribute to Beyond Academy’s mission.
Community
Alize Lee
APAC Community Lead
Alize was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. After graduating with Bachelor’s degrees in Literature and Physical Education, she worked as a key account manager for three years at a medical device company. To gain more international working experience, she then moved abroad, working in various roles in several different countries like Australia, Malaysia, Spain, and Sweden.
Over the last few years, she has been working in the digital marketing industry, expanding her knowledge in online business – even learning programming.
She understands very well how people in their 20s feel when it comes to their career paths because as she said: “I have been there, and I have failed many times. But most importantly I have learned how & what I want to do!”
Olivia Thomas
Regional Community Lead
Olivia was born and raised in Chicago, before spending her adolescence in Park City, Utah. Spending her childhood emersed in her family’s’ shoe business, Olivia developed a keen passion for both customer service and fashion. Honing her sense of style throughout her undergrad degree living in small-town Utah, Olivia soon set her sights on across the pond. Whilst completing her Master of Public Health in London, Olivia began working in the Events sector. The combination of academic and practical exposure to developing and planning events sparked a passion for harnessing the power of community. Outside of work, Olivia can be found perusing one of the hundreds of bookstores and food markets around London, hosting a dinner party at her flat or at the airport catching a fight to a new city.
Isabella Kott
Community Associate
Izzie first moved to London from her hometown in Manchester for university. After graduating, she knew she wanted to explore more of the world, it’s people and cultures and decided to teach English in China for one year. Or so she thought…
The experience of living, working and travelling around Asia was such a dream that, what was supposed to be a year long experience, turned into four!
Upon her return to the UK in 2019 there was only one place Izzie wanted to be: London! She moved her ESOL experience into the charity sector supporting migrant women, children and refugees and continues to do so today.
When she has a moment spare from working and volunteering, Izzie loves to travel, do pottery, cycle around London and occasionally attempts to brush up on her Mandarin language skills…
Bethany Stewart
Program Associate
Bethany was born in London, coming from a big family full of people and dogs. She completed an art foundation at the University of the Creative Arts, followed by a BA Hons degree at London College of Fashion. Between studying and travelling she worked in a number of hospitality, retail, administrative and customer service roles. In 2018 she decided to go on her biggest adventure backpacking across the world, from South America to Asia. This trip lead to her living in Australia for a year, working for a luxury designer brand in Sydney and then on a rural farm in Bundaberg. Bethany loves to help people and is a passionate vegan and environmentalist. She started her own Creative Virtual Assistant business centred around her values of kindness and sustainability.
Sooyeon Song
Community Associate
Spending childhood in a peaceful, rather humdrum city called Daejeon, Sooyeon instantly fell in love with Seoul when she moved for her university. She pursued her career in the international development field for a while applying her knowledge as a Nutrition and Business major.
She knows how daunting it is to be an intern in a foreign country as she started her very first internship in Bangkok. She also understands the importance of social support because she was able to stay strong thanks to her neighbors when she had COVID in Timor-Leste. Going through these experiences, now she wants to make sure all the interns are doing great in her favorite city, Seoul, and guide them to realize how great it is.
After work, you can find her at a gym or doing various sports from jiu-jitsu, snowboarding to ballet. She is keen on meeting new people, traveling, and staying healthy.
Stella Goodwin
Community Associate
Stella was born and raised in New Zealand, first moving to London when she was 18, mainly for the opportunity to travel around Europe and…to study. Alongside being at University, she worked a freelance writer, tutor and digital communications assistant for a non-profit and wellness brand for a couple of years until the pandemic hit.
Stuck in her childhood bedroom like most of the class of 2020, she decided to take an online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course and within a few months, she was teaching in Hong Kong. After a year of growing a new education subsidiary in the city, she moved back to the UK to study for her MA in Strategic Communications focusing on the rise in online disinformation and how that is impacting different communities. In her spare time, she enjoys flipping tyres at the gym, cooking up anything Ottolenghi and enjoying a good bev by one of London’s canals on a sunny day soaking in the rays.
Michelle Vargas
Community Associate
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Michelle considers herself to be an explorer in the city of dreams – constantly redefining her love for the big apple through her experiences everyday. Michelle is of Mexican and Salvadoran descent, a proud Brooklyn Latina, and a first generation graduate from the State University of New York at New Paltz, obtaining a BA in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and minors in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Spanish.
After graduating, Michelle has been able to transition back to the city and dedicates her time to exploring hidden gems and all the magic that resides within the concrete jungle. Whether that’s checking out different spots, exciting food options, local entertainment, sightseeing, and everything in-between. While having backgrounds in social media marketing, public relations, customer service, hospitality, and event coordinating, Michelle is also a proud full-time dog mom to her yorkie, Romeo.
During her free time Michelle enjoys exploring the magic of Barnes and Nobles, buying new candles, practicing skin care, studying crafts, and seeking new adventures and projects to create or collaborate on within her communities. Recently setting a new goal to accomplish, Michelle aims to reach 30 countries before 30
Nisa Cakmak
Community Associate
Nisa was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. She completed her Bachelor Degree in Economics and started her career in a global market research company, travelling around the world within the role. She realized this wasn’t for her and wanted to follow her own path. She always wanted to study higher education abroad – so she moved to Dublin! She is now studying for a Tech and Innovation masters degree.
Nisa is a passionate vegetarian and loves animals. At the same time she is a professional yoga instructor and provides online yoga classes. She loves traveling and meeting new people and loves reading psychological books. In her spare time, you can also find her meditating with candles.
Abela Kabyemela
Community Associate
Abela grew up on the Wirral where she studied a number of languages including French, Spanish and Mandarin as well as speaking Swahili at home. During her time in education, she travelled a lot but learned the most when studying and working in Spain.
After graduating, she moved to London. The fast pace of the city gave her lots of opportunity to explore all of her interests when she was able to.
Abela enjoys fashion, art and of course food. She likes to discover many parts of the city and is always on the hunt for her new obsession.
Queenie Tran
Community Associate
Queenie embraces the Aussie lifestyle, being born and raised in Sydney, Australia.
She’s recently graduated with a Bachelor of Public Communications and Advertising and has interned in many reputable communication agencies in Sydney.
Always caffeinated, she’s ready to take on any adventure – whether that be hiking, ocean swims, camping or attempting to surf or snowboard. Queenie has a passion for travel, culture and history, as well as health and fitness.
When she’s not up to all that adventure, she’ll either be trying out new and trending restaurants, or at home being overbearingly affectionate to her cats, Flynn and Ollie, who unfortunately do not share the same regard 🙁
Lee Jayoon
Community Associate
Jayoon, born and raised in Geoje, South Korea, has a deep appreciation for the unique qualities that each individual possesses. Her belief in the power of connections drives her to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. This genuine interest in others fuels her passion for personal and professional growth.
With a versatile background encompassing Educational Technology, Chemical Engineering, and Chemical Laboratory, Jayoon continues to pursue her ambitions with unwavering dedication. As a woman in STEM, she proudly supports and celebrates the achievements of other women in these fields, recognizing the importance of representation and equal opportunities.
During her leisure time, Jayoon immerses herself in the world of knowledge by delving into research papers while enjoying the soothing melodies of jazzy tunes.
Fristy Tania
Community Associate
Hailing from Indonesia, Fristy’s fascination with Japan started way back in my childhood days. In the year 2012, Fristy embarked on a life-changing odyssey as she became the Indonesian student representative for the prestigious JENESYS program, orchestrated by JICE. This voyage marked her inaugural encounter with the land she had long admired, igniting a spark that would shape her path ahead.
With a Civil Engineering degree in hand, Fristy ventured into the world of construction in Jakarta, contributing her expertise to shaping the urban landscape. Yet, destiny had other plans, and in 2015, she emerged as a pivotal member of the JICA Expert Team. This role placed her at the helm of international cooperation projects, a sphere where her dynamic abilities flourished as she orchestrated harmonious collaborations between Japan and Indonesia.
The year 2017 ushered in a bold leap as Fristy decided to move to Japan, taking a lot of career paths from customer service, sales, business and finally in 2019 she transitioned her career into the dynamic realms of IT and SaaS. Steering the international business development of an acclaimed company, her strategic insights paved the way for exceptional achievements. Beyond her professional pursuits, Fristy’s enthusiasm for self-development and spirituality shines brightly. Regularly volunteering at an Indonesian self-development community, she dedicates her time to delivering free webinars and meditation sessions, a reflection of her commitment to the growth of others. She also actively takes part in the Startup Communities in Tokyo. She is a big fan of meetup events. If you’re attending an event in Tokyo, Japan, there’s a good chance you might bump into her at one of those gatherings.
Stephanie Muller
Community Associate
Stephanie is from Bolivia, and with a half-Japanese mom, a significant part of her life has revolved around embracing the wonderful vibes of Japanese culture. With a background in psychology, she’s all about helping people, especially when they’re navigating those tricky language barriers and cultural twists.
As for food? Oh boy, it’s like her love language. From digging up secret recipes to cruising the grocery store aisles and throwing together a killer meal from scratch, she’s all in. But the real magic happens when she gets to share that deliciousness with others – that’s when her excitement goes through the roof. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what language you speak – sharing a meal is like a universal way to light up those human connections.
And yes, she is a Swiftie.
Marc Martinez Herrero
Community Associate
“Marc is a dynamic individual fueled by a profound passion for languages and a genuine desire to connect with people across the globe. Hailing from Spain, Marc is bilingual in Spanish and Catalan, and fluent in English and Japanese, showcasing his linguistic versatility. His academic journey in Translation and Interpretation, coupled with international experiences in Dublin, Ireland, as an exchange student, has been a testament to his commitment to cross-cultural understanding. From interpreting and guiding visitors at Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia Church, Marc has consistently utilized his language skills to bridge cultural gaps and create meaningful connections. His dedication to fostering understanding through effective communication is not just a professional pursuit but a reflection of his personal ethos.
Inspired by his experiences, Marc has embarked on a journey to study Japanese, becoming an avid fan of Japanese subculture, including anime and manga. His aspiration is to one day serve as a translator, bringing the richness of Japan to a broader audience in their mother tongue. Currently, he finds himself amazed by the frenetic pace of Tokyo. In this vibrant city, Marc hopes to immerse himself in the community events forging meaningful friendships and helping everybody!”
Olivia Parczyk
Community Associate
Born in Germany to Eastern-European parents, Olivia quickly realized that finding your place in this world is overrated, and that travelling is a grade-A coping mechanism for most generic problems.
During her university days, she then discovered the value of surrounding herself with friends from all parts of the world, and spent years volunteering for international student organisations that support student mobility. These ventures, along with an exchange in Korea as well as in Japan, finally led to her moving to Tokyo. Originally in Japan for one year to conduct research for her psychology master’s degree, she fell in love with the country and is now enjoying the daily struggle to translate both her English words as well as her German directness into appropriate Japanese.
Her biggest hobby is organizing – may it be her life, events, her friends’ closets and living rooms, or spreadsheets. And yes, she is also a Swiftie.
Leticia Barroso
Community Associate
A vibrant Brazilian currently calling Barcelona home, brings a wealth of international experience to the role of Community Coordinator. Having also immersed herself in the dynamic of London living in the past, she thrives on the magic of cultural and language exchange, coupled with the joy of bringing people together.
Guided by her family’s unwavering encouragement to explore the world, Letícia has cultivated a deep appreciation for the diverse landscapes and cultural treasures scattered across the globe. This upbringing has instilled in her a genuine passion for fostering community connections and ensuring everyone feels embraced and cherished, regardless of their background or origin. With a rich Italian heritage woven into her identity by both her mom and dad, Letícia approaches her role with warmth, charm, and a commitment to creating environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Jimin Je
Community Associate
Jimin was born in Busan and moved to Seoul for her university. While observing friends who, like
herself, came to a new city and experienced loneliness, she decided to start an “Exploring Seoul
Gathering” to find joy in the unfamiliar environment. Through leading the gathering, she discovered
her interest in event planning. In addition to her original major in English literature, she pursued a
double major in International Office Administration, where she could learn MICE event planning.
After graduation, Jimin has been consistently exploring her passions. Experiences in part-time work
at a health and beauty store led her to ultimately dream of becoming a cosmetic marketer.
During her spare time, she enjoys cooking and searching for new recipes. Additionally, with a desire
to work in Japan someday, she diligently studies Japanese.
People & Finance
Sarah Lin
People & Finance Manager
Sarah was born in Singapore. Half Arab and half Chinese, she moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2019 to pursue her goal of living abroad. Graduating with a bachelors in Marketing and Business Management, her strength lies in team development and optimising business operations. She has experience in recruitment and project management, and has led growth and corporate reporting projects across varying industries and organisations. Her warm and approaching personality ties well with her personal interests in mental wellness & wellbeing. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys outdoor hiking and exploring new cities by foot!
Learning, Development & Coaching
Chloe Garland
Coach
Chloë is the founder of Quarter-Life a coaching company that helps under 30’s have more fulfilling careers and to navigate the ‘quarter-life crisis’. After a profound experience with a career-coach in her early 20’s, Chloë founded the business as a way to bring coaching to more people who struggle to choose their direction early in life.
Quarter-Life began as a 1-1 career-coaching practice and grew as they started to partner with universities, schools and businesses to provide better career and wellbeing support for young adults. She has since helped hundreds of under 30’s identify meaningful careers and to feel clear and confident about their paths. Quarter-Life has been recognised in Forbes, The BBC, The Independent and The Guardian for their contribution in this space.
Alongside working with individuals around career direction, Chloë also partners with organisations to deliver executive and life coaching to under 30’s in the workplace. This means that Chloë also works with people on a range of non-career specific goals (e.g confidence, stress, wellbeing, communication).
Alice Stapleton
Alice is an accredited Career Coach with over ten years experience of working one to one with those in their 20’s and 30’s who are looking to change career and/or develop their career potential. One to one sessions with Alice are down-to-earth, practical, straight-talking, and action focused. She is an incredibly supportive and encouraging coach who confidently uses probing and thought-provoking questions, tools and exercises to facilitate the individual’s understanding of their thinking patterns, behaviour, current situation, and career aspirations. She brings positivity and clarity to the session, whilst using humour and an informal yet professional approach to get the best from her clients.
Laura Sheehan
Coach
Laura is a U.S. lawyer turned career coach. Now based in Washington D.C. she has worked with hundreds of students and professionals worldwide in their endeavors to find and create international opportunities. For her efforts, Laura was featured on the Thriving Abroad podcast in March 2018, selected as a speaker for TEDx Hanoi 2018, and is the 2018 recipient of AAFSW’s prestigious Champion for Career Enhancement award. In addition to her day job, she leads an international professional development group called “Empowering Perspectives.
Katheryn Gronauer
Learning & Development
Katheryn is a trainer and coach who helps international people in Japan thrive through orientation and self-development programs. She holds a degree in International Business & Culture from Sophia University and is a certified wellness coach and change management trainer. Born to a Japanese mother and American father, Katheryn spent her childhood between the US and Japan and officially settled in Japan in 2009. She gained experience working with the international community through her experience at an international concierge company, and continues to enjoy solving issues that face foreigners in Japan. When Katheryn is not working, she loves strolling through Omotesando and salsa dancing.
Caitlin Hall
Coach
Caitlin is a Career & Mindset Coach who supports young professionals to create purposeful careers so they can make a real difference in the world and thrive, not just survive, at work.
After graduating, Caitlin felt lost with what to do next in her career. She felt overwhelmed trying to navigate the vast amount of information out there as to what type of job would suit her best. She discovered the world of coaching after working with her own career coach and quickly realised that it was a vital thing missing in the lives of other young professionals. Her degree in Psychology could flourish in supporting others to find their career’s purpose.
Fast forward to the present day, Caitlin has helped over 600 young professionals using evidence-based coaching and positive psychology techniques, to uncover their unique strengths, challenge them to think outside the box of what they believe is possible and create purposeful careers and positive impact.
Advisors
Krystal Lee
Advisor
After graduating from LSE, Krystal went on to train as a Qualified Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor. Krystal has led multi-million dollar global strategy projects in KPMG and Deloitte. Realising that she has a passion for creating and growing businesses, Krystal left her Big 4 life behind at age 27 to pursue an entrepreneurial journey of her own. She built the Asia business of The Intern Group from scratch, and is also the founder of a cutting edge fashion-tech start-up.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Krystal spent 12 years living in London and is now enjoying life in Tokyo. She speaks fluent English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese. Krystal is also an active advocate for sustainability and climate change.
Alex Playford
Advisor
Alex had a successful career as a management consultant in London. He studied Computing at University and went on to become an Analyst. He quickly realised that he found it much more interesting to work in varied companies and environments and so he joined a management consultancy.
After some time learning the field, he went freelance as an independent consultant. Alex has worked on multi million dollar global programs for brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, helping them to setup in China and AGCO who make Massey Ferguson tractors. Over the last 4 years has worked in Fintech, consulting a global bank on how to serve their customers better.
Alex is an advocate for helping people realise their potential and has worked on creating Times Leadership Challenge to build future leaders, and involved companies such as PwC, Barclays, Deloitte and Hewlett Packard to name a few.