Karen Ruddock (B.A.Mod., M.Phil., H.Dip.Ed.), executive director and founder of Cross-cultural Directions, is an educator and intercultural trainer with nearly twenty years of professional experience in Ireland, Japan, and Uganda. In addition to her work training and consulting in the field of cross-cultural communication, Karen has designed and implemented a degree course in Japanese Language and Culture for Business, in Trinity College Dublin, and has extensive experience in teaching EFL and ESP both in the business and educational sectors.
She specialises in communication difficulties across cultures and teaching culture, and is presently working on completion of her doctorate. Karen also has a certificate in Intercultural Training from the Interchange Institute in Boston.

Jonathan Baum (B.A. M.A.), Director and Consultant/Trainer for the Middle-East and for Japan, has professional experience in Israel, Japan, and Ireland. He has worked in the area of crossing cultures for many years, interpreting, translating and training in the public and private sectors. Jonathan has a Master's Degree in Japanese Language and Comparative Culture from Tokyo and his primary degree is in East Asian Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.