about h squared

H Squared is a Tokyo-based corporate learning and development alliance founded by Mana Tomitori and Stephen Parent. 

 

The name H Squared (Human x Human) was born from our belief that the potential and synergy of individual employees can change a corporation from the inside out. 

 

As practitioners in the field with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, we believe in unleashing the potential of organizations and individuals within them. We're here to help create corporate environments where professionals can cultivate an optimistic mindset and build engaged teams. 

 

It begins with the individual. Tap into your potential and create powerful team synergy and long-lasting results.　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　

 

About Mana

I know the power of unleashed brilliance.

Mana Tomitori was born in Japan and spent her childhood in Germany, where she learned early the world is made up of cultures, languages and belief systems that differ from her own. It was in Germany and later at her global-minded school in Japan that she grew to value individuality, self-leadership, and diversity. 

 

After college, seeking work that would allow her to work in education, speak English, and connect with people, Mana joined a corporate training consultancy firm and developed an interest in corporate training and development. 

  

Following her years at various corporate training consultancy firms, Mana joined a global fashion company to gain in-house, long-term corporate training and development experience. Here she learned her passion and strength was to help leaders thrive in their roles. She had found her calling: coaching.

 

In the years that followed, Mana studied NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) in the US and coaching in Japan, officially beginning her coaching journey. 

 

In 2013, she left the corporate world and began taking on individual coaching clients. As she met with clients and honed her coaching skills, she witnessed clients come alive and flourish in their roles as leaders and managers. She was invited to assist global corporate training projects run by a Silicon Valley consultant group, with whom she would later found Silicon Valley Alliances. This was when she met Steph, one of the founding Tokyo members. 

 

Believing the “participants bring the magic,” Mana came to view her job as creating an environment where participants can feel safe being who they are, and take concrete action to move closer to their goals.

 

As her business grew, Mana was asked to develop and head a major leadership project with a global corporation, which further expanded her coaching and facilitating repertoire. She believes it has always been people's trust in her abilities that has allowed her to keep going.

 

Mana’s greatest wish is to give back what she’s received in her own career, to cross the finish line with clients and celebrate with them. She believes in the potential and brilliance of her clients, especially when they are met with a challenge.

 

She knows the power of unleashed brilliance.

About StephEN

I’ve always been drawn to the road less travelled and into the unknown.

Stephen Parent was born in Ottawa, Canada and grew up speaking English and French. He cites his bilingual upbringing as a key factor as to why he values diversity, adventure and growth. Surrounded by nature, Steph has led an active lifestyle - hiking unexplored mountains and skiing off the beaten path - for as long as he can remember.

 

At age 16, his view of the world expanded with an urgency he had not known after a homestay experience in Bangkok. He was shocked by the poverty and inequity he witnessed, unleashing a strong drive within to help people far and wide.

 

While at university, Steph merged his passion for adventure with the drive to help others, volunteering every summer and taking kids to international camps in Europe, where they could learn about different cultures, build global friendships and grow as global citizens.

 

Following university, he worked in banking for several years, all while itching to work on a more global scale. This is when he decided to work in Japan for a year.

 

Initially nervous and excited about leaving everything he knew behind, he found living and working in Japan to be an enlightening experience. He learned there was a market and need for him to share his corporate background and global work experience with both Japanese and Japan-based foreign corporations.

 

Steph joined a corporate training consultancy firm where he honed his skills as a facilitator and trainer, eventually becoming a trainer leader where he shares his knowledge to help develop other trainers.

 

In 2010, he set up his own consulting company in Japan, which has opened a world of opportunities, allowing him to work with Silicon Valley consultants and a diverse range of talented professionals.

 

Steph’s mission is to help people find the good in any situation in order to grow. A significant part of growth, he says, requires us to step out of our comfort zone and explore the unexplored, those things we dream of doing, yet haven’t dared to do.

 

“Collaborating with Mana is the next step in my journey to go beyond,” he says. “My years of training and work have led me yet again down an unknown path, beyond my comfort zone. If I am to help others, I know I must model the way and lead by example.”


Certifications & Career

Certifications

  • B.A. Cross Cultural Education Sophia University 
  • NLP Trainer Associates/Society of NLP (Dr. Christina Hall/Chairman of Society of NLP)
  • Immunity to Change Coach Certification Course (Dr. Robert Kegan, Harvard University Graduate School of Education)
  • Coach U Personal Foundation Course
  • Team Flow Certified Professional Coach
  • Experience Innovation Certified Trainer (IDEO & ExperiencePoint)    
  • Saville Assessment Certified Assessor

Professional Experience

  • Corporate Training Consultancy Firms
    • ALC
    • Global Education and Training Consultants
  • HUGO BOSS JAPAN
    • Executive Assistant to 4 CEOs (Japanese/German/French)
    • Training & Development   
  • Nihon L'Oreal K.K. L'Oreal LUXE/Lancôme Division
    • Training Manager
  • Launched own business in 2013
  • Silicon Valley Alliances Co-Founder (2016)
  • IDEO Tokyo - External Facilitator since 2019
  • Beyond Borders - CEO and Founder (2021) 
  • H Squared Co-Founder with Stephen Parent (2021)

CERTIFICATIONS & Career

Certifications

  • B.A. Teaching ESL University of Ottawa
  • Silicon Valley Technology Entrepreneurship - TVLP Institute Silicon Valley 
  • IRC Licensing Course  - Intercultural Business Improvement

Professional Experience

  • TD Canada Trust - Customer Service Representative 
  • Children's International Summer Villages - Program Leader and Coach 
  • ALC - Quality Assurance Team Leader / Consultant 
  • Japanada - Founder and Director (2010)
  • Silicon Valley Alliances - Co-Founder (2016)
  • Global Perspectives - Program Development Director (2020)
  • H Squared - Co-Founded with Mana Tomitori (2021)