Catherine O'Connell Features In Risky Women's To Watch List

Risky Women® is a global network connecting, celebrating and championing women in governance, risk and compliance since 2014.

Risky Women featured Catherine O’Connell in their list of Women to Watch in October 2025. She spoke about her trailblazing as a lawyer and board member breaking barriers as the first foreign woman on Toyota and Fujitsu boards. She pioneered flexible General Counsel services in Japan and hosts Lawyer on Air, amplifying women lawyers' voices. A bridge-builder redefining governance with courage, clarity, and cultural insight.

When asked what makes her a “Risky Woman” she said “I risked everything to launch Japan's first foreign female-founded law firm. I shattered glass ceilings as the first foreign woman on Toyota and Fujitsu boards. I created Japan's first women-in-law podcast, amplifying inspirational stories of women lawyers that were never told before.”

Catherine cites her top 3 achievements as 1) Being first foreign woman board member at Toyota and Fujitsu 2) Founding Japan’s first award-winning boutique law firm in Tokyo offering flexible GC services and 3) Launching Lawyer on Air, Japan’s first women-in-law podcast, amplifying untold career stories.

In answering the question of “What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?” Catherine said: “I left the safety of a corporate career to launch the first foreign female-owned law firm in Tokyo. With no template to follow and plenty of naysayers, I became my own role model, winning awards, inspiring others and proving new possibilities for women in law and governance.” Finishing up she was asked “what is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?” and Catherine replied in one word “Clarity”. Explaining this she said “Clarity is the ability to demystify complexity - seeing around corners, translating risk into opportunity, and communicating with clarity so teams can act decisively and confidently in uncertain environments.” Read the original —> here