Leadership.
Culture.
Transformation.
Advancing Human-Centered Leadership Through Research, Strategy, and Story
Welcome — I’m grateful you’re here. My work lives at the intersection of leadership, culture, identity, and human development. As a scholar-practitioner, mediator, and strategist, I help individuals and organizations cultivate clarity, navigate conflict, strengthen trust, and create environments where people can thrive. My approach blends rigorous research, deeply humanist values, and a belief that transformation begins with how we show up to one another.
This site serves as a professional home for my curriculum vitae, selected work, media mentions, and thought leadership. I hope these pages offer a meaningful glimpse into the principles that shape my work and the possibilities I believe are available when we lead with courage, compassion, and intention.
About Mitsue
I am an organizational culture and learning strategist who helps companies build psychologically safe, high-performing workplaces. With deep expertise in leadership development, employee experience, and conflict resolution, I partner with teams to strengthen communication, alignment, and trust. My background spans DEI strategy, talent development, and large-scale culture transformation across complex organizations. As a mediator, educator, and coach, I bring a human-centered, data-informed approach to solving people and culture challenges. Above all, I believe that when people feel supported and seen, organizations unlock their greatest potential.
What I’m Known For
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Building healthy, high-functioning teams grounded in psychological safety
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Designing inclusive leadership and learning programs with measurable impact
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Leading complex organizational change with clarity, compassion, and strategy
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Facilitating conflict resolution, mediation, and difficult conversations
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Creating culture systems that support engagement, trust, and performance
Experience
Professional Journey Highlights
Founder & Principal Strategist
Manager, Employee Support & Culture
ODUGlobal DEI Manager
The Fifth Turn, LLC
Virginia Beach, VA
2024 - present
Division of Digital Transformation & Technology
Old Dominion University
1/2025 - present
Division of Digital Transformation & Technology
Old Dominion University
2023 - 2025
As the creator of The Fifth Turn™, I developed a research-informed framework that guides leaders and organizations through meaningful cultural transformation. I design and deliver workshops, coaching, and strategic tools that help individuals and teams move from awareness to sustained, embodied change. My work centers on translating complex human development concepts into practical pathways that strengthen leadership, resilience, and organizational culture.
Lead strategic initiatives that strengthen psychological safety, team effectiveness, and employee experience across a 420+ person division. Partner with leaders to improve communication, collaboration, and performance, while guiding conflict resolution, change management, and culture transformation efforts. Focus on creating a healthy, high-trust environment where people feel supported, engaged, and empowered to succeed.
Designed and led division-wide strategies that advanced equity, inclusion, and cultural awareness across teams and leadership levels. I developed programs, training, and initiatives that strengthened belonging, improved communication, and elevated employee engagement. My work centered on building inclusive systems and practices that empowered people to thrive and contributed to a healthier, more collaborative organizational culture.
Founding Director, ODUOnline International
Office of Digital Learning
Old Dominion University
2013 - 2023
Adjunct Faculty
K-12 Educator
Tidewater Community College
Old Dominion University
Christopher Newport University
2007 - present
Various Institutions
2004 - 2012
Led the university’s efforts to expand and support global online learners across multiple countries. I built international partnerships, streamlined enrollment pathways, and developed culturally responsive systems that improved access and student experience. My work established a sustainable foundation for ODU’s global online presence and strengthened its international reach and reputation.
I design and teach courses that explore culture, identity, communication, and leadership. I support diverse adult learners in developing critical thinking, professional skills, and confidence in their academic and career pathways. My teaching emphasizes inclusive learning environments and the practical application of theory to real-world contexts.
I taught students from 6th grade through 12th grade, including AP English, AVID, and inclusion classrooms. I developed engaging, culturally responsive instruction that supported diverse learning needs and strengthened students’ writing, analysis, and communication skills. This early work laid the foundation for my commitment to human-centered development, compassionate teaching, and building environments where all learners can thrive.
Education
Academic Achievements
PhD
Higher Education Administration
cognate: International Education
My research explored how culture, identity, and belonging shape learning, leadership, and human development. Grounded in sociocultural theory, my work examined how individuals move through global educational systems and how institutions can better cultivate environments of inclusion, agency, and growth.
MA
Literature concentration: Writing
BA
English
Certified Diversity Executive
(CDE®)
A Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) is a senior-level professional who leads and manages complex, large-scale diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within an organization. This certification signifies that an individual has demonstrated the skills to remove systemic barriers, align enterprise-wide strategies, transform company culture, and move beyond diverse representation to thought leadership, typically requiring at least five years of experience and passing an exam and a professional project.
Nationally Certified Professional in Mediation
Nationally Certified Professional in Mediation—rigorously trained and assessed through the National Association of Certified Mediators, a recognized body advancing ethical, high-standard conflict resolution
Qualified IDI Administrator
IDI Qualified Administrators (QAs) is an individual trained and licensed by the Intercultural Development Inventory, LLC to administer the IDI assessment, which measures intercultural competence. They are responsible for interpreting the assessment results, providing individual and group debriefs, and helping people or organizations improve their ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Certified
Human Rights Consultant
Certified Human Rights Consultant with the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, equipped to educate, assess, and strengthen human rights practices across organizations and communities.
Key Achievements
Recognitions and Awards
John R. Broderick Diversity Award
Old Dominion University | 2024
The John R. Broderick Diversity Champion Award is designed to honor and celebrate individuals who encourage and advance the principles of equity and diversity, to promote the positive impact diversity has upon ODU's community.
PhD Outstanding Mentor Award
Old Dominion University | 2019
The PhD Outstanding Mentor Award is presented to a graduating doctoral student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to mentoring, supporting, and empowering fellow scholars throughout their doctoral journey. Their guidance strengthens the academic community and leaves a lasting legacy of collaboration, growth, and shared success.
If you’d like to collaborate, explore consulting, or reach out for speaking or facilitation opportunities, I invite you to connect.