All PNWJETAA profiles will be hosted here to our PNW J-Link page, where they will remain in our permanent PNW J-Link Directory, as long as you wish.
Profiles are listed in alphabetical order:
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Brain & Spine Clinics is a unique integrative practice with a focus on pain management by optimizing function through cutting-edge treatment options to include Chiropractic, Cold Laser, Non-Surgical Decompression, physical therapeutic exercise and Clinical Neuroscience-based Rehabilitation and Clinical Functional Nutrition.
The Bellingham Sister Cities Association (BSCA) is a part of this international organization promoting “person-to-person” activities between countries around the world. Bellingham has four sister cities; all are port cities located around the Pacific Rim, including the City of Tateyama, Chiba.
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Alana is currently working as a speech language pathologist to special needs preschoolers and making “Miss Alana” videos to help them practice communicating at home. She also loves performing in plays, musicals, and voice overs. During her time in Japan, Alana developed a love for performing enka music which continues to to this day.
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The Hyogo Business & Cultural Center is an overseas office of the Hyogo prefectural government based in Seattle. The center promotes the sister-state relationship between Hyogo and Washington through cultural, educational, and business exchange. This includes, for example, Japanese cultural events, collaboration with local entities, and a Japanese speech & skit contest.
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The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) promotes social justice, and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other underserved communities – including immigrants, refugees and American-born – by developing, providing and advocating for innovative community-based multilingual and multicultural services.
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Laurasian Institution is a not-for-profit educational organization, specializing in meaningful, high-quality, exchange and education programs driven by their curricular design. The institution was founded in 1990 and has been honored to operate programs sponsored by both the U.S. Department of State and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Zack Davisson is a writer, editor, lecturer, scholar and translator, known for his his works on Japanese folklore and ghosts as well as translating the works of Shigeru Mizuki, Matsumoto Leiji, and Satoshi Kon.
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I live in Tacoma, and I work in the Curatorial Department of the Tacoma Art Museum. I have been an admirer of Japanese woodblock prints for twenty years and received a masters of arts degree in art history from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, with a focus in twentieth century Japanese art.
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The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center fosters globally minded leaders of integrity in the spirit of Maureen and Mike Mansfield. We partner with students, educators, community members and institutions around the world in order to promote dialogue and a global exchange of perspectives, ideas, and solutions. Currently, Randi is the International Program Coordinator at the Mansfield Center.
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I write books to mine my experiences for insights that might also be helpful for others.
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Densho collects and preserves video oral histories documenting Japanese American history with an emphasis on the World War II incarceration. Our website provides a free digital archive of nearly 2000 hours of interviews, 60,000 historical photos and documents, along with curricula examining democratic principles and civil liberties. Geoff currently serves as the Deputy Director and has over 15 years of experience developing technology and information management strategies for a variety of for-profit and non-profit ventures, ranging from small think-tanks and startups to the Department of State.
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Kyle is a Major Gifts Fundraiser for the National Park Foundation, which seeks to preserve and enhance our nations cultural, historic and natural treasures and is the official charitable partner of the National Park Service, which seeks to He engages philanthropists and connect them with programs that can maximize their impact in the world. Kyle is happy to speak with people who are in learning more about fundraising.
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Rod Gottula grew up in Shepherd, Montana. His four years on the JET Program fueled his passion for helping young people experience the wonders of other cultures and the beauty of everyday folks in different lands after his return to Montana. His hobbies include reading, writing, struggling to play the guitar, and occasionally karaoke. Rod and his wife, Rie constantly nag their two children to study more and make the most of their bilingual and multicultural opportunities. Double! Not Half. is dedicated to their journey. Currently Rod is currently a Vice Principal at West Billings High School.
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Ms. Amelia Hagen is the Entrepreneurship and Business Development Manager at Swiss IM&H in Lucerne, Switzerland. In this capacity, she works on creating and curating entrepreneurial initiatives, developing online curriculum, and connecting others virtually and in person to promote collaboration.
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H2D Architecture + Design is a full service architecture and design firm founded in 2006 by Heidi Helgeson. The firm’s mission is to work as a team with our clients, listening and developing their objectives and visions into beautiful architecture. Whether we are working on a small remodel, new custom home, addition, multi-family dwelling, or a small commercial space, our focus is on architectural detail, budget feasibility, and incorporating environmentally friendly materials and methods.
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Michelle Kato is an Emergency Management Specialist who helps people before, during and after disasters in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and the 271 Tribal Nations. Michelle enjoys volunteering with the American Red Cross in her spare time.
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3-year ALT that used my JET experience to turn it into an awesome career in technology. Andrew is currently a Senior Program Manager – Workplace Analytics (Microsoft Office 365) at Microsoft.
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Toray Composite Materials America, is a leading producer of high quality advanced composite prepreg materials serving the needs of the Sporting Goods, Aircraft and Industrial markets.
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I’ve been the assistant manager at the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center (HBCC) since 2019. HBCC is committed to the continued development of the sister-state relationship between Washington State and Hyogo Prefecture by promoting governmental, business, cultural, and educational collaboration between the two regions. We build connections between Washington and Hyogo by supporting Japanese language education, offering cultural workshops, assisting student and teacher exchanges, providing business development services, and supporting sister-city relationships between Washington and Hyogo cities.
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A firm believer in the positive impact of grassroots exchange, she continues to support citizen diplomacy in her current role as the Senior Specialist for Cultural Affairs, Sister Cities and Public Outreach at the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle. She is responsible for creating cultural and educational programing content and has a special interest in Japanese armor and furoshiki tying techniques.
Iaido is the art of drawing, cutting from the draw and re-sheathing a Japanese long sword. Through a series of stylized scenarios (kata) originating from techniques used by the Samurai, students of Iaido train their bodies and minds by learning extremely precise maneuvers, while simultaneously increasing concentration and focus. Lynn studies Iaido at the Musokai Dojo, which is a school of Japanese Swordsmanship in the style and tradition of Muso Shinden-ryu.
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Jeremy belongs to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) -Local 15 ,which is the union behind entertainment! Jeremy works most strongly in technological, theatrical, and educational environments.
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Starbucks is the world’s largest premium coffee chain with approximately 30,000 stores globally. Our mission is: To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. Patrick currently works as a Product Developer for Starbucks.
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Jackson currently works as a J-E localization specialist for The Pokémon Company International.
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The Seventh Wave is a 501(c)(3) arts and literary nonprofit that invites writers, artists, activists, and creators to take part in a conversation surrounding the most pressing social issues of our times. We publish two digital issues per year, each tied to an in-person artist residency on both coasts. We are deeply rooted in the belief that genuine dialogue has the potential to shift cultural paradigms and discourses over time.
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After JET I worked as a Regional Personnel Coordinator for a private company in Japan. Now with The Laurasian Institution, I manage international programs of grassroots academic exchange designed to expand understanding of different cultures.
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Having worked in a variety of jobs after returning from Japan as well as from her experiences on the JET Program, Jessica has learned the importance of being flexible. She has worked in the industries of veterinary medicine, data collection and Japanese government at both the Prefectural and National level. Since September 2019, she has been the Media & Outreach Assistant at the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle. This is her fourth year as the Transitions Coordinator. If you are wondering what steps to take next, she might have some helpful suggestions.
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I am a book publisher who has been publishing books about Japan for 15 years. Bruce co-founded Chin Music Press to bring more contemporary writing on Japan to the US. He also teaches an online feature writing course at the University of New Orleans.
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Denise is a Japanese art enthusiast: she studied kimono for 3 and a half years under a certified sensei, specializes in kasudama origami, makes kimekomi and is an avid singer. Denise is interested in culture exchange especially with travel and food. If you want to learn more about Japanese arts or some karaoke recommendations, please reach out!
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Helping clients get the maximum benefit from technology in their daily lives: choosing electronics to meet their needs; installation and setup of new tech; learning to use software; etc. Kathe is a Technology Consultant and the owner of Schmaing Technology Consultants in Missoula, Montana.
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I’ve worked in communications at the University of Washington in various departments for the past 17 years.
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Building on her JET experience, Amanda was able to utilize Japanese language on a daily basis and gain further translation and interpretation experience in a Japanese government setting, before moving on to the entertainment industry. She currently uses her Japanese language skills in the area of product development and to help formulate business strategy.
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Established in 1907 to serve as an alumni association to Japanese pioneers who immigrated from Kumamoto Prefecture. Our goal is to teach about the past, serve the present and assist future generations to learn about Kumamoto and our unique relationship with Japan. If you are interested, we welcome you!
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Since 2017, I work as the JET Program Coordinator and Educational Affairs Specialist at the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle.
Started in Fall 2017 by alumni of Taiko Kai at the University of Washington, Dekoboko Taiko shares its love of taiko, or Japanese drumming, to audiences in the Pacific Northwest.
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The Sister Cities Council of Tacoma advances Tacoma as a global city and promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation through citizen diplomacy – one individual, one community at a time – for the benefit of Tacoma and its sister cities. To accomplish its mission, The Sister Cities Council of Tacoma develops programs in the areas of cultural arts and tourism, global education, government relations, and international business. I currently serve as the Secretary for the Kitakyushu Committee, and the Tacoma Sister Cities International Film Festival Chair.
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Rob Uy, Principal of RSU Consulting, and formerly one of Amazon.com’s first Career Ambassadors, is a sought-after career coach who quickly and effectively establishes productive relationships built on mutual trust and respect. As a result, his clients experience an immediate boost in their personal and professional confidence, career direction and marketability. Rob inspires his clients to ‘find their voice’, tell their story effectively, and experience a genuine and revitalized perspective on who they are and where they want to go.
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Seattle University is the largest private university in the pacific northwest. I direct the International Student Center and international students from overseas make up about 10% of our campus population.
The Minidoka Pilgrimage Planning Committee (MPPC or MPC) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) group that organizes the annual pilgrimage to the Minidoka National Historic Site located in southeastern Idaho. This national park is one of the American concentration camps that was in operation during WWII for persons of Japanese ancestry forced off the west coast of the United States. Minidoka was home to about 9,000 individuals from Washington, Oregon and Alaska. The pilgrimage is an intergenerational opportunity to hear the stories from survivors about this important chapter of American history. Scholarships are available, please visit the Minidoka Pilgrimage website to learn more.
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I’ve done a lot of technical translation and interpreting for Nintendo and am reawakening to my skills as a project manager there.
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City of Kobe’s Seattle branch office supports business relations between the US and Kobe, particularly for Japan market entry, business and office establishment in Kobe, and development of the US-Kobe startup ecosystem.
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I’m a Curriculum Designer and Instructor at Stanford’s Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE). I also serve on the Board of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW) and am a researcher of the Japanese diaspora to the Americas.
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International Business Protocol Liaison, Port of Seattle: Karin serves as an advisor for the Port of Seattle in protocol matters related to international delegations of business leaders, dignitaries, and government officials in order to facilitate positive business relationships. She manages interactions with Seattle’s sister port relationships, including the Port of Kobe, where she worked as a CIR in the City of Kobe’s Mayor’s Office for three years.