JETAADC Officers

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.

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.

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.

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 program finance analyst. In her free time, you can find her enthusiastically discussing films, books, and music with her book club.

Serena was an ALT in Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture from 2018 to 2020. Following JET, she attended North Carolina State University for her graduate studies, receiving an M.A. in International Studies. Since 2022, Serena has worked at NEC Corporation, a Japanese headquartered IT services company, and is currently a Public Policy Analyst in the D.C. area office. Outside work, Serena enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, whether that's running, hiking, or reading a good book in the park.

Louise Katz was an ALT in Taiki-cho Mie Prefecture. While working as a JET, she hiked major sections of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage trail and joined the local Kendo team. Louise is originally from Massachusetts and holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Japanese from Macalester College. She currently works in operations at Ragnar Research Partners in Washington D.C. Louise is always happy to talk about making kosher japanese food and the Red Sox.

Leah was a CIR in Sapporo, Hokkaido, which also happens to be sister cities with her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She continues to support sister city ties through the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association and is always happy to share her favorite soup curry recommendations. Professionally, she manages programs for American and Japanese scholars and practitioners through the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. She’s excited to support recently returned JETs in a similar fashion through the JETAADC Mentorship Program. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, hiking, and snowboarding.

Monica is a child of JETs who 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.

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.

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.

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 U.S.-Japan alliance and also serves on the executive board for Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA). Holding an MA in Asian Studies from Georgetown University, she currently works as an international trade specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is a cartoonist and cosplayer in her spare time and hopes to spread her love of Japanese visual and performing arts.

Jacob worked as a CIR in Uchinada, a coastal suburb of Kanazawa, from 2022 to 2025, where he discovered a passion for event planning and international relations. Following his time on JET, he began working as an assistant correspondent for NIKKEI’s Washington DC bureau, where he researches American politics for a global readership. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, cooking, and trying to keep up his Japanese skills. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he majored in East Asian studies.

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.

Bianca was an ALT in Hiroshima Prefecture and based in Hatsukaichi-shi from 2016-2018. Returning to the D.C. area, she worked for various non- and for-profits in educational travel, museum services, and environmental advocacy. Bianca also volunteered with various U.S.-Japan groups across the East Coast, serving on the NEJETAA board while in Boston for 3 years. Now she lives in Virginia and supports fundraising initiatives and member relations with the National Association of Japan-America Societies. When she isn't roaming around the DMV, she paints and reads to relax, often with a hot cup of coffee.