Makana 2.0 · Issue 04 · October 2025
HR, Leadership & Technology Shaping Asia's Future
Makana 2.0, Issue 4: 9 pieces from the Makana Partners network.
In this issue
Issue 4 of Makana 2.0 opens with the editor's reflections on AI and what people may rediscover if it takes over much of our work, followed by a Market Trends page on Japan's bilingual executive market and a feature on why Japan might benefit the most from AI, also printed in Japanese.
Further features look at HR's role in the age of AI, how telcos are modernizing for a 5G and AI-driven world, what professionals in Asia really want from employers, and five key points for successful onboarding. The issue closes with a page of recent placements.
Table of contents
- Letter from the Editorp. 6By Yan Sen Lu · Letter from the Editor
Yan Sen Lu, writing on a flight across the Pacific, reflects on quiet time, the future of AI and what people may rediscover if AI takes over much work, and introduces the issue.
- Market Trends: Japan's Bilingual Executive Marketp. 7By Makana Partners · Market Trends
Demand for Japanese-English bilingual executives keeps rising while supply stays structurally limited, pushing up pay expectations and hiring timelines. The page sets out key trends, challenges and opportunities.
- Why Japan Might Benefit the Most from AIpp. 8–12By Jonathan Baier · Feature
Jonathan Baier argues Japan's craftsmanship culture and demographic pressures make it well placed to benefit from generative AI, once it builds the digital, cloud, data and security foundations AI needs.
- なぜ日本がAIから最も恩恵を受ける可能性があるのかpp. 13–17By Jonathan Baier · Feature
ジョナサン・ベイヤーは、日本の職人文化と人口動態の課題から、生成AIが日本に大きな恩恵をもたらす可能性があると論じ、その前提となる基盤技術を挙げる。(Japanese edition of the feature.)
- Finding a New Chair at the Table: HR’s Role in the Age of AIpp. 18–20By Sue Gannon · Feature
Sue Gannon argues that AI is already reshaping HR and that the function can evolve from strategic partner to intelligence integrator and human-centered innovator, built on what AI cannot replace: the human in HR.
- From Network Core to Edge: Telco Modernization Todaypp. 21–24By Timo Jokiaho · Feature
Timo Jokiaho explains how open, cloud-native infrastructure helps telcos unlock efficiency, build in security and compliance, expand revenue and accelerate transformation in a 5G and AI-driven world.
- The Changing Equation for Talent: What Professionals Really Want!pp. 25–27By Smriti Handa · Feature
Smriti Handa says salary and stability no longer win talent, and sets out four expectations (flexibility, growth, purpose and wellbeing) with notes on how each plays out in Japan and what recruiters should do.
- Five Key Points for Successful Onboarding: Building Engagement and Performance from Day Onepp. 28–31By Fumiko Takahashi · Feature
Fumiko Takahashi sets out five key points for onboarding, from defining stakeholders and 90-day goals to digital tools, human connection and diversity, plus continued support beyond 90 days.
- Recent Placementsp. 35By Makana Partners · Placements
A list of fourteen recent placements by role and industry, from HR and finance leadership to engineering, product and sales roles.
Read the issue as printed
Swipe or use the arrows to turn the pages. Each page links to its article, which is also available as plain text with the key points.
Editor and contributors
Editor-in-Chief: Yan Sen Lu
Jonathan Baier
Jonathan Baier is a Responsible AI and Cloud Strategy Executive, serving as Co-Founder of Cyberify, where he helps enterprises securely adopt AI and emerging technologies. With over 20 years of leadership across Fortune 500s, startups, and federal agencies, Jonathan has driven large-scale digital and cloud transformations at organizations like Moody’s and ADP. A published author and patent holder, he specializes in AI governance, cloud-native engineering, and cybersecurity resilience. Passionate about responsible innovation, Jonathan advises leaders on designing secure GenAI systems and building trusted, scalable digital foundations that bridge technology, compliance, and business growth.
Sue Gannon
Sue Gannon is an Executive Coach and HR Leader specializing in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and team performance. As Founder of Stride to Grow, she partners with executives and leadership teams to unlock growth and build resilient, high-performing organizations. With 25 years in senior HR roles at Netflix, Dr. Martens, Beam Suntory, and Campbell’s, Sue has led global transformations, cultural evolution, and leadership capability programs. Combining strategic HR insight with deep coaching expertise, she empowers leaders to navigate change, foster collaboration, and create sustainable, people-centered performance cultures.
Timo Jokiaho
Timo Jokiaho holds extensive experience from his career in telecommunications. Previously holding pivotal roles at Red Hat, Samsung, Huawei Technologies, and Nokia, Mr. Jokiaho has been at the forefront of telecommunications innovation and now Telco Field CTO @ SUSE. His leadership roles in industry consortiums like the SCOPE Alliance and contributions to the Linux Foundation highlight his commitment to driving technological advancements. An expert in open telco cloud initiatives through collaboration with key industry players, Mr. Jokiaho's expertise spans Open Source, containers, and virtual machines, significantly contributing to the evolution of telecom networks including Open RAN/vRAN/Cloud RAN and 4G/5G Core Networks. With a Master's degree in computer science from Helsinki University.
Smriti Handa
Smriti Handa is a global HR leader and strategic business partner, currently serving as Regional People Director for JAPAC & Middle East at Braze. With two decades of experience across Fintech, CPG, Healthcare, and Technology, she has led transformative HR strategies at organizations including BharatPe, Reckitt, Philips, and Airtel. Renowned for driving organizational design, cultural transformation, and leadership development, Smriti blends business acumen with purpose-driven people strategy. A recognized LinkedIn Top Voice and thought leader, she champions inclusive, high-performance cultures that fuel sustainable growth and future-ready leadership.
Fumiko Takahashi
Fumiko Takahashi is the Director of HR Consulting at Makana Partners, where she leads the design and execution of transformative people strategies across Japan and Asia. With a rich background spanning HR leadership, enterprise SaaS, and global technology firms such as AT&T, Cisco, LinkedIn, and Microsoft, she combines deep operational know-how with visionary insight. Fumiko excels in aligning HR systems with business goals, managing complex stakeholder environments, and driving large-scale organizational change. An active connector in the HR community, she is passionate about future-ready talent initiatives, cross-cultural leadership, and leveraging digital innovation in HR.
