Andrew Shaffer MCC

Location: Japan

Andrew Shaffer, MCC is a Tokyo-based executive coach and co-founder of HummingByrd Inc. and InnerCulture Inc., with over 20 years of experience guiding senior leaders through complex transitions across industries like pharma, finance, fashion, and tech. He helps clients strengthen executive presence, navigate change, and lead with clarity across cultures and regions.

Drawing from a global career that includes Peace Corps service, leadership roles across four continents, and a background in creative problem-solving, Andrew blends strategic insight with cultural fluency to help leaders thrive in dynamic environments. His coaching consistently delivers measurable impact on leadership agility, team effectiveness, and organizational resilience.

He holds an MCC from ICF, along with certifications in coach supervision, stakeholder-centered coaching, Hogan, DiSC, and more. His clients include Microsoft, KPMG, Novartis, Pfizer, BlackRock, Coca-Cola Japan, Mizuho, and the UN, among others. Fluent in English and Japanese, Andrew continues to support executives worldwide in transforming complexity into opportunity.

Notable Engagements

• CEO, Financial Services/Consulting – Guided strategic leadership development & change navigation.

• CEO, Banking/Financial Services – Supported transformation & executive presence.

• CFO, Pharmaceuticals – Facilitated cross-functional collaboration during onboarding & restructuring.

• Country Medical Director – Coached on leadership agility & team effectiveness.

• Chief Sales Officer (CSO), Pharmaceuticals – Enhanced sales strategy & marketing leadership.

• Head of Global Japan Practice, Financial Services – Strengthened cross-cultural leadership & stakeholder influence.

• Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Cosmetics – Provided support in digital transformation & strategic execution.

• Country Manager, IT/Software – Helped drive organizational alignment & innovation.

• Head of Marketing, News Media – Improved communication strategy & team cohesion.

• Heads of HR, Pharmaceuticals, Beverages & Fashion – Coached on talent strategy, inclusion & leadership.

• CEO, Professional Services (Japan) – Partnered on high-level executive initiatives & cultural integration.

• Head of HR, Global Japan Practice – Supported change leadership across Japan operations.

• Country Director, Pharmaceuticals (Italy) – Guided strategic vision & cross-border influence.

• Country Director, Insurance – Coached through complex leadership challenges.

• CEO, Banking Sector – Advised on organizational resilience & executive team alignment.

• Individual & Team Executive Leadership – Strengthened performance & cohesion in senior leadership groups.

• Senior Directors & Managers, Marketing & Design – Helped global female leaders in Japan boost visibility, confidence & persuasive communication.

• CEOs, Sales, Financial Services – Enabled mindset shifts for better leadership & stronger stakeholder relationships.

• Business Unit Heads & Teams – Facilitated leadership best practices & communication strategies for change initiatives.

• Executive Leadership Teams – Resolved internal conflicts & fostered a unified, high-performing team culture.

Client List

Andrew has worked with a wide range of global organizations, including ACCO Brands, Amgen Astellas, Becton Dickinson, Biogen, BlackRock, Cartier, Coca-Cola East Japan, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC, DuPont, ETAS, GSK, IHI, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, L’Oréal, Mars, Microsoft, Mizuho, Nikkei, Novartis, Park Hotel Group, Pfizer, Red Hat, Richemont, Royal Canin, SCOR Global Life, Shu Uemura, Sumitomo, Sumitomo Corporation Asia & Oceania, Takeda, Tata, and Warner Music, among others.