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). Prior to moving to DC, Alex spent the last five years in Tokyo working at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). Alex continues her passion for U.S.-Japan relations now working on the Japan Team of The Asia Group (TAG), providing clients with detailed research and analysis on market and regulatory trends in key industries in Japan. When not at work, she can most like be found outside running with Bishop Events or training for her next Spartan Race or half marathon.

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, especially as it applies to the fields of climate and international business. Following graduation from Georgetown University with an MA in Asian studies, she currently works as a trade consultant for clients from Northeast Asia at McLarty Associates. 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 Program Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin - Madison, brining students from Madison to do internships in DC. In his free time, he enjoys playing board and video games, music, and sports, dancing, and learning languages.

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 much of the Mie section 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. She continues to work in US/Japan relations at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA. Louise is always happy to talk about 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!

Andrew Sinnes lived, worked, made friends, and hopefully made a difference as one of two ALTs at a high school (and some visit schools) in Maizuru City. Since JET, he has returned to his hometown in Maryland, working as a stay-at-home uncle. He likes reading his favorite Japanese authors, especially Kukai, whose Shingon school of Buddhism he follows, and his GOAT, Sei Shonagon. One day, he might follow both them and his dad to be an author himself (of American philosophy). In the meantime, let's learn about Japan together!

Brandon joins the board as the Maryland Sub-Chapter Chair. He is currently studying international relations at Georgetown University with an interest in U.S-Japan relations. He volunteers with several different events and festivals in the D.C/Maryland area such as Otakon, Katsucon, MAGFest, and the Sakura Matsuri assisting with various aspects of event management. In his free time, he loves ice skating, playing video games, and watching K-dramas.

Neave was an ALT in Okinawa Prefecture from 2010-2013. Post-JET she served on the international language team of Peace Boat and as a guide for Japanese Kakehashi students to the United States. In 2014, she studied Japanese at the Inter-University Center (IUC) in Yokohama and conducted research as an American Chamber of Commerce of Japan (ACCJ) Research Fellow. She is currently the Assistant Director for the Masters of International Economics and Finance (MIEF) at Johns Hopkins University SAIS. She can regularly be found biking around DC, seeking out live music, and working at cultural festivals like the Washington DC Sakura Matsuri.

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.