JETAADC Officers

Okung Obang was an ALT in Nankoku City in Kochi Prefecture from 2019 to 2021. Following JET, she moved to the DC area to pursue graduate studies, receiving her M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Okung currently works as an international affairs analyst for Aflac. In her free time, Okung enjoys reading, baking, spending time outdoors, and exploring museums.

Alex was an ALT in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture from 2012-2015. Post JET, she studied Japanese at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC), and then spent five years in Tokyo working at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). Alex continues her passion for U.S.-Japan relations as an Associate Vice President at The Asia Group (TAG) on the Japan Team, providing clients with detailed research and analysis on market and regulatory trends in key industries in Japan, primarily focusing on life sciences. When not at work, she can most likely be found outside training for her next half or full marathon or volunteering with JETAADC or Operation Enduring Warrior, a non-profit supporting wounded veterans and law enforcement through activity.

Meghan was an ALT in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture from 2021-2022, and loves to share about this hidden jewel in western Japan any chance she gets! Born and raised in Northern Virginia, she received her B.A. in both International Affairs and Communication Studies with a minor in Asian Studies from James Madison University. Meghan continues her passion for cultural exchange through her work at the Institute of International Education as a senior project coordinator on the International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In her free time, you can find her enthusiastically discussing films, books, and music with her book club.

As a JET, Eric worked at an international school in Hyogo Prefecture from 2008-2011. Originally from Montreal, has lived in the US since 2014 and in the DC area since 2019. An MBA holder from McGill University, he currently works as a marketing and business analyst, and is looking forward to combining his professional training with his passion for the JET program as JETAADC's Treasurer for his second year. He is fluent in only the parts of Japanese that involve baseball, as well as in French and Italian.

Juliana was a CIR in Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture from 2018-2021. She is originally from Odesa, Ukraine and has been living in the DMV area since her return from JET. She is passionate about the US-Japan alliance and also serves on the executive board for Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA). Following graduation from Georgetown University with an MA in Asian Studies, she currently works in commercial diplomacy. She is a cartoonist in her spare time and hopes to spread her love of Japanese visual and performing arts.

Shizuka joins the board as the Communications Chair. She is a native of Hiroshima and a recent graduate from Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Shizuka is currently pursuing a career in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament policy.

Lucas Young was an ALT at a junior high school in Gunma Prefecture from 2013 - 2015 on the JET Program, and an ALT at a high school in Chiba Prefecture from 2015 - 2020 on the Chiba-Wisconsin Program. Upon returning from Japan in 2020, Lucas continued working in US-Japan relations and education by becoming a JET Program Coordinator at the Embassy of Japan in DC. He now currently works as a Wisconsin in Washington (WiW) Program Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin - Madison, bringing students from Madison to do internships in DC. In his free time, he enjoys dancing, friend-time, and playing board games, video games, music, and sports.

Monica is a child of JETs that grew up spending time in Owase, Mie-ken and studied abroad at Waseda University. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins SAIS and is currently pursuing a career in US-Asia relations. Monica enjoys reading, hiking, and learning obscure facts about Mongolia.

Louise Colwell was an ALT in Taiki-cho Mie Prefecture, a rural town blessed with rivers, mountains, and the ocean. While working as a JET, she hiked major sections of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage trail and joined the local Kendo team. Prior to becoming a JET, she majored in International Studies and Japanese at Macalester College. Louise is always happy to talk about cooking kosher food, sewing your own clothes, and the Red Sox!

Devin was an ALT in Biei, Hokkaido from 2018 to 2021. He is a PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins SAIS, where he conducts research on U.S.-Japan and Sino-Japanese relations. His main hobby is language-learning, so he is especially excited to serve as language chair for the upcoming year!

Cowles was an ALT in Fukuoka for 5 years from 2013 to 2018 at Munakata High School. Originally from North Carolina, Cowles now lives and works in DC as the Director of Quantitative Research at Mercury Analytics. In his free time, Cowles enjoys taking long walks around DC, going for hikes, and playing tennis. He is very excited to support the JETAADC community!

Brandon joins the board as the Maryland Sub-Chapter Chair. He is a graduate of Georgetown SFS with an interest in U.S-Japan relations. He volunteers as one of the Sakura Matsuri logistics directors, and helps out with all the Japanese related events and conventions he can in the DMV area. In his free time, he loves ice skating, playing video games, and watching K-dramas.

Jennifer was a high school ALT in Itami City in Hyogo Prefecture from 2016-2021. Post-JET she has volunteered as a JET mentor and at events such as Japan Bowl and Sakura Matsuri while continuing her Japanese studies in her free time. She is currently an Educator at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk and Coastal Region Assistant Steward with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Jennifer enjoys watching movies, reading, and dabbling in crafts when she has a chance and is looking forward to serving as the Virginia Subchapter Chair.

Emily was an ALT in Takaoka, Toyama, from 2005-2006. Originally from rural Maine, she earned a Master of Teaching from the University of Virginia, and went on to become a high school English teacher and curriculum developer. She looks forward to combining her teaching experience with her love for cross-cultural exchange in her new role as JETAADC's Ambassador Chair. She is also a passionate home cook, a classical pianist, a writer, and a public servant who also volunteers with Bethesda Women's Club and DC Central Kitchen.

Mr. Erim Gulum handles programming and research for the NEXT Alliance Initiative. He earned his BA in history and education from Hofstra University and his master’s in international affairs with a focus on Japan and politics from UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). In 2020, he interned at the US Indo-Pacific Command’s J4: Environmental Security Program. From 2016-18 he was on the JET Program and worked for the City of Kitakyushu, which he credits as central to his change of focus from education to international relations and the US-Japan alliance. His passion for public service stems from his time as a volunteer firefighter/EMT in his hometown on Long Island. Erim is enthusiastic about cross cultural interactions, building connections between people, and contributing to bilateral relations. As a part of the board from Spring 2024, Erim hopes to be able to support any and all JETAADC efforts to give back to the community that has been an important part of his life.

Vivian was an ALT in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture from 2023-2024 (and the second Vivian Chen to join JETAADC!). She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she majored in Commerce and East Asian Studies. Following JET, Vivian returned to her native Washington, DC area and is working as a project management contractor for the US Coast Guard, but remains passionate about cross-cultural exchange. She is super excited to be a JETAADC Member-at-Large for 2025. In her free time, Vivian enjoys singing in choir, journaling, reading self-help books, and exploring new places.