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Orbis Team

At Orbis, we’re dedicated to helping leaders become great communicators. So they can become better leaders.

Co-Founder/Principal

DONALD MACINTYRE
Donald is a seasoned communicator, writer and former Time magazine foreign correspondent with 25 years of experience working in Europe and Asia. In nearly 15 years in corporate communications, Donald has worked at major banks in Japan and Singapore and ran the regional communications function for Standard Chartered Singapore’s global retail banking business. He’s also an angel investor in two tech start-ups and has advised start-ups in Singapore. Before entering finance, Donald reported for Bloomberg and Time magazine and was Time’s first permanent bureau chief for North and South Korea. He’s also the co-editor of a book on US media coverage of Korea. Donald has had a lifelong interest in conservation issues.

Co-Founder/Marketing Head

SOPHIE WON
Sophie is a co-founder of Orbis Leadership and is in charge of global marketing for Orbis Leadership. Her background is in marketing communications and advertising. She’s worked at global companies, including Saatchi & Saatchi, The Walt Disney Company and Samsung’s in-house agency Cheil Communications. She has a Master’s degree from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
Partners and Advisors

JANE KIM

S.Korea Manager/Cross_Culture Comm. Specialist (S.Korea)

Jane Jihye Kim is an interculturalist, facilitator, and Korean business consultant with a passion for fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. With extensive experience in the business sector, from business development to sales and consulting, Jane has been bridging cultural gaps and maximizing the potential of diverse teams for global corporations such as Samsung, Hyundai Motors, Rolls-Royce Motor, DuPont, Google, and many others. Jane served as a customer experience consultant at Metrinomics GmbH and worked in B2B sales across China and Malaysia during her tenure at Chong Fong Engineering Pte, Ltd. She is also a translator for the book Design Thinking for Business Growth and a co-author of the book Women: Restarting Their Journeys.

ELISSA BUXBAUM

Partner/Cross Cultural Comm. Specialist (US)

Globally recognized DEI expert Prof. Elissa Buxbaum brings Identity Conscious™ to the communications industry. With 20+ years of experience in strategy development, coaching and training, Elizabeth has transformed organizations with upwards of 15,000 employees, including the BBC, FX Networks and over 100 colleges and universities. As CEO of One Us Consulting, she provides data-driven solutions that elevate companies to global standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. Elissa has been interviewed by news outlets from New York to Norway, is published in academic journals / industry magazines, and speaks regularly at conferences such as the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) and SXSW.

Dr. TING FAI YU

Partner/DEI Specialist

Ting-Fai Yu , Ph D.is a DEI consultant based in Vancouver, BC. As an applied anthropologist, he draws on evidence-based insights to help organizations cultivate psychological safety and intercultural competence for innovation and business success. His professional background encompasses higher education, technology, and entrepreneurship. As a well-published scholar in Asian studies, he currently serves as Associate Researcher at the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China. As an HR professional, he formerly worked for Logitech as the first DEI Lead to oversee the Asia Pacific region.

MARK SCHULZ

Partner/Brand Tone of Voice Specialist

A pioneer in brand tone of voice, Mark co-founded the leading verbal identity consultancy True & Good in 2010. With clients across Europe and Asia, Mark oversees writing, naming and training for brands such as RBS, Standard Chartered and Deezer. He’s helped some of the world’s best-known brands solve communication challenges in an agency career spanning BBDO, M&C Saatchi and Grey and advised political parties and government departments on the power of language to bring about change. Mark has been working in professional communication since 1992 and holds an MA in English from Oxford University.

TAEWOO KIM

Senior Consultant/Business Writing w/A.I.

Taewoo Kim brings a unique blend of experience in leadership training, communications and AI technology. With a master’s degree in computer science from Cornell University, he has held IT roles in Samsung, advised the South Korean president on green growth and was Korea’s first professional blogger. As founder and CEO of Fountains, he offers strategic consulting and marketing to major corporations and helps them integrate the power of AI into everyday leadership, communication and organizational productivity. He's the author of Meconomy and has appeared on platforms such as CNN and Chosun.

DAVID POPE

Senior Consultant /Senior Voice Coach

As a voice coach, producer, director and voiceover artist, David understands the impact of the spoken word – not only what needs to be said, but how it must be delivered. Since starting his career in London at the BBC three decades ago, David has worked in commercials, documentaries, TV series and radio drama. Today he helps his corporate clients understand their voice, maximize their vocal impact and enhance their executive presence. David has worked with CEOs, executives and senior partners at global financial institutions and international legal firms across Asia, including Baker & McKenzie, Mayer Brown, Hogan Lovells, Herbert Smith Freehills, Goldman Sachs, Standard Chartered, Nomura, CLSA, Credit Suisse and Weber Shandwick.

SHAWN CHOI

Social Media Coordinator

Shawn Choi, a versatile Content Creator, thrives at the intersection of creativity and strategy. With expertise in videography and design, he brings stories to life through visually compelling content. Leveraging his background as a Content Manager at Samsung Biologics, he has mastered aligning content with impactful messaging. Shawn’s skill set extends to crafting innovative marketing strategies, making him a valuable partner for diverse campaigns.

HANNAH

Operation Manager

Hannah oversees office accounting and operations for our locations in Seoul and Vancouver. A graduate of Yonsei University with a major in business administration, she brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles at Daiwa Securities Seoul and Trans Cosmos Inc. Outside of work, Hannah has a passion for fashion and loves spending time with her fluffy friend Bobo.

TOM PEDERSON

Senior Advisor/HR & Team Engagement Specialist

Tom’s consultancy specializes in leadership development, organizational alignment and talent strategy. In his nearly 40 years in Asia, Tom has focused on growing local talent to become future global leaders. As Group Head of Learning and Talent Development, Tom led the global talent and learning functions for Singapore’s DBS Bank, increasingly recognized as a global leader in digital innovation. Previously, Tom was senior partner and managing director for Korn Ferry’s leadership and talent practice in Japan. He is a former lecturer on leadership in global organizations at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.

Prof. JOOYOUNG JUNG

Advisor/Communication Professor

Joo-Young Jung, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Society, Culture and Media at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. Her research focuses on the social implications of new communication technologies in environments such as urban communities and disaster/post-disaster situations.
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