Leo Hayashida Finch

Leo Hayashida Finch has a diverse work experience spanning various industries and roles.

Leo Hayashida began their career at The New Indian Express in 2010 as a reporter, where they covered cultural events and wrote about local orphanages. In 2010, they also worked as a digital content editor at BluInc Media, focusing on publications like Action Asia and Asia-Pacific Boating.

In 2013, Leo worked as a junior communications officer at Change Co., a digital transformation consultancy. Leo Hayashida assisted in program management and cross-cultural harmonization for a project involving a Japanese client and an Indian technology team.

From 2014 to 2016, Leo served as a digital content creator for The Tokyo Journal, Japan's leading English publication. Leo Hayashida produced feature stories with a focus on regional geopolitics and contributed to social media strategy.

At Fitch Solutions, Leo held roles as a subeditor and defense & security analyst from 2014 to 2018. Leo Hayashida provided in-depth analysis and accurate forecasting on global defense and security industries, with a specific focus on the APAC region.

From 2017 to 2022, Leo worked at ThirtyThree, an internal communications and employer branding consultancy. Starting as a writer analyst, they progressed to become a research manager, consultant, and finally a senior consultant. In these roles, Leo collaborated with clients and their C-suite to develop and activate unique brand narratives that aligned organizational aspirations with personal ambitions.

Leo's most recent role, starting in 2022, was at Rakuten Symphony, where they served as the director of people communications and employer brand. In this position, they oversaw all aspects of internal and external communication related to people and employer brand.

Currently, Leo holds the position of Head of People & Executive Communications at Woven by Toyota, a role they assumed in 2023.

Leo Hayashida Finch has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Japan Studies from Oxford Brookes University. They also participated in an exchange year at Aoyama Gakuin University, where they studied Cross-Cultural Business Management. Additionally, Leo obtained a certification in JLPT Level N1 from The Japan Foundation in February 2014.