Keiko Shimada develops and executes talent strategies to help senior executives and boards navigate market uncertainties and realize growth. Based in Tokyo, Keiko leverages her abundant pre- and post-deal M&A consulting experience to help firms solve their ongoing leadership challenges. She has a particular focus on retention, selection and succession of leaders, as well as on governance support. Keiko also has a strong passion for supporting female leaders and candidates during the executive search process. Keiko joined Russell Reynolds Associates from Mercer Japan, where she served as a board director, COO and interim CEO after starting as an associate. She also served as head of global M&A consulting and head of the multinational client group. Keiko began her career as a human resources specialist at a Japanese manufacturing company, where she focused on talent acquisition, talent management and talent development. Keiko has a BA in political science, with a focus on international development economics from the Aoyama Gakuin University School of International Political Science, Economics and Business. She has an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She was an adjunct faculty at Waseda University Business School (2020, 2021) and co-authored "HR Due Diligence — 3rd Edition (2019). She is Board Director at Nareru Group. Keiko has an advanced Hogan Assessment Certification and is an International Coaching Federation certified coach.