JETAADC Officers

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.

Lauren Mosely was an ALT from 2017-2019. She served in a beautiful town in Hyogo Prefecture called Yabu City, home to the tallest mountain in the prefecture. Since returning from Japan, she's been active in JETAADC events, both virtually and in-person. This past year she served as Secretary, while also assisting with numerous events including the "Owakarekai Picnic: Farewell Event for New JETs," "Sake and Sumi-e: A Japanese Sip and Paint," and "Shinnenkai: New Year Networking Party." In her free time, Lauren is oftentimes listening to music, dancing, journaling, and biking around DC via Capital Bikeshare.

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.

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 business analyst at a large financial services company, and is looking forward to combining his professional training with his passion for the JET program as JETAADC's new Treasurer this year. He is fluent in only the parts of Japanese that involve baseball, as well as in French and Italian.

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.

Natasia “Tasi” James was an ALT in Saitama Prefecture from 2016-2020. She had previously lived in Japan as a military dependent from 2007-2010, and then again as an ALT. While on JET, Tasi participated in event planning with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she and other members planned and led community service events and activities that served both the military and local Japanese community; for example, collaborating with Second Harvest food bank to raise money to improve food insecurity in Japan. Currently, she works as a therapist, specializing in eating disorders, and other co-occurring disorders.

Vivian Chen was an ALT in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture, from 2016 to 2018. She received her B.A. in International Studies and Japanese Studies from Case Western Reserve University and received her M.A. in International Economy from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. Vivian currently works for the U.S. federal government and enjoys ice skating and running in her free time.

Monica joins the board as the Professional Development Chair. A child of JETs, she grew up spending time in Owase, Mie-ken and studied abroad at Waseda University. Monica is a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins SAIS and is currently pursuing a career in US-Asia relations. She enjoys reading, hiking, and learning obscure facts about Mongolia.

Devin was an ALT in Biei, Hokkaido from 2018 to 2021. He is a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins SAIS, and currently works as a full-time researcher studying U.S.-Japan 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!

Meghan joins the board this year as the Virginia Sub-Chapter Chair. From 2021-2022, she worked as an ALT in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, and would love to share with you about this hidden jewel of western Japan any chance she gets! Born and raised in northern Virginia, she went to school in the Shenandoah Valley at James Madison University for a B.A. in International Affairs and Communication Studies and currently resides in the Richmond area, where she’s happy to represent her beautiful state and bring more JETAADC activities to the rest of Virginia. From her semester abroad at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto and her experiences as an ALT, Meghan is excited to continue promoting cultural exchange by working with the Institute of International Education. In her free time, you can find her passionately discussing films, books, and music with her book club.