A new fiscal year is underway for JETAA Toronto, and with it comes a new list of eager, talented folks to helm the executive.
There are some new faces this year, and we have bid goodbye to a few dedicated people who are moving on to other committments.
A big otsukaresama to Amy Schindler-Ford, Seung-Mi Jang, Lesley Look Hong, Cally Lo, Dahlia Nicholson, Adrian Palinic, and Darryl Young who will be focusing on other opportunities this year. Their hard work last year and before was greatly appreciated.
And a big yookoso to the new faces on the executive: Chris Draenos, Hitoshi Murakawa, Steven Renahan, Jamiena Shah, Ben Singer, and Dominic Wong are bringing their enthusiasm and know-how to the group this year.
Continue reading for the full list of the 2010-2011 JETAA Toronto Executive with some interesting information and bios about each member!
Natalie Bay — Co-chair
Years on JET: 2003-2004
Town/Prefecture: Chiba Prefecture, Unakami-machi
Natalie is in her second year of being a co-chair for JETAA Toronto and her fourth year on the executive. In her day job she can be found planning trips for international students, where she uses the skills she picked over the years gathering stamps in her own passport. She is also obsessed with pretty much everything food-related and one day even hopes to own a cat named “Parsley”.
Glen Morales — Co-Chair
Years on JET: 2001 – 2006
Town/Prefecture: Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto-shi & Yatsushiro-shi
Volunteering with JETAA Toronto has kept his love for Japan alive, but he genuinely misses his awesome time there. When not volunteering, Glen tries to keep active through Aikido practice, karaoke tributes to MJ, and taste-testing various sushi bento combinations across Toronto. He really hopes to see you all at various JETAA Toronto events!
Amber Hildebrandt — Communications Coordinator
Years on JET: 2002-2004
Town/Prefecture: Tochigi Prefecture, Kuriyama-mura
Marcia Iwasaki — JET Coordinator/Consulate Liaison
Years on JET: 2001-2006
Town/Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture, Misaki Town BOE/Izumi City BOE
In her free time she enjoys rediscovering the ever changing Toronto city-scape, learning new recipes, doodling pictures and helping Toronto JETAA do great things.
Dominic Wong — Membership Coordinator
Years on JET: 2007-2009
Town/Prefecture: Yamaguchi & Kyoto
Dominic had a very difficult time eating in Japan because he is vegan. So he had to study hard to learn how to read ingredients. Now he has JLPT 3-Kyuu but nobody to talk to. Please forward him job postings.
Jamiena Shah — Events Coordinator
Years on JET: 2002-2004
Town/Prefecture: Chiba Prefecture, Choshi City
Greetings JET Alumni! My name is Jamiena and I originally hail from Toronto. I loved my two years on JET and wanted to maintain my connection by joining the Executive and putting together kick-ass events for all of us to enjoy! Something outside of the box: I love chillies…can’t get enough…eat them with everything if possible! Along with being a foodie in general, I love reading for inspiration, travelling the world, team sports, hiking in the mountains, yoga, bike riding, making pottery, listening to music that moves me and taking photographs. Looking forward to planning some fabulous events this year and sharing stories from our time in Japan and beyond. Yoroshiku!
David Namisato — Website Coordinator
Years on JET: 2002-2004
Town/Prefecture: Aomori-ken, Ajigasawa-machi
David is an illustrator in Toronto. His recent work includes children’s picture book, Fly Catcher Boy, from Gumboot Books, the comic series, Gabe and Allie in Race Through Time for kids’ magazine, Kayak: Canada’s History for Kids, and a story in Moonstone Books’ upcoming Zombies vs. Cheerleaders issue #1. David publishes a monthly comic about the experiences of the JET Programme called Life After the B.O.E.
Sonia Cheng — Treasurer
Years on JET: 2000-2003
Town/Prefecture: Chiba Prefecture, Yachiyo-shi
Sonia is beginning her second term as Treasurer after serving a year and a half as Membership Coordinator. See you at the next event!
Anjali Patel — Secretary
Years on JET: 2003 – 2005
Town/Prefecture: Kumamoto Prefecture, Minamata-shi
Anjali is entering her third year as secretary. She is currently a masters of public health student, specializing in community nutrition. Anjali loves anything from California, like avocados and Beverly Hills 90210 — the Brenda years!
Chris Draenos — Conference Coordinator
Years on JET: 2006 – 2008
Town/Prefecture: Saga Prefecture, Karatsu-shi
Karaoke anyone…? I work in health care education. I’m planning to build upon the successes of previous conference to better support the departing JETs and JET Alumni.
Johnson Kong — Sports Coordinator
Years on JET: 2003-2005
Town/Prefecture: Itakura City (later merged with Joetsu City), Niigata
Claim to Fame: Desire and capacity to eat has prompted references to “garburator” or “garbage can” on four continents in at least four languages.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Steve Renahan — Events Support
Years on JET: 2004-2009
Town/Prefecture: Fukuoka Prefecture
After three years as an ALT and two as a PA with the Programme in Japan Steve has been happy to return to Ontario and rediscover the Golden Horseshoe and surrounding region. He has really appreciated the support the JETAA provides making the transition back. The resident gypsy of the group and permanent out-of-towner is looking forward to an exciting year of events, our renewed connections with organizations such as JAVA and the CJS and more opportunities for socializing and networking with the JET Alumni both within and beyond the GTA.
Gloria Ma — Treasurer Support
Years on JET: 2001-02
Town/Prefecture: Kumamoto Prefecture, Menda-machi
As a true magazine buff, my day job is working in marketing and communications in the magazine publishing industry. After hours, I love finding hole-in-the-wall restaurant treasures, watching live plays and musicals, and enjoying guilty-pleasure reality TV shows. Plus of course, spending time with my JETAA family and planning fun events for all our members.
Hitoshi Murakami — Website Support
Years on JET: 2006-2008
Town/Prefecture: Sasebo, Nagasaki-Japan
Hitoshi is currently living/working in Toronto as a photographer. At least that’s what he tells himself.
Ben Singer — Communications Support
Years on JET: 2001-2003
Town/Prefecture: Nagasaki Prefecture, Takaki-chou
Ben is a born Winnipegger with a heart formed from spongy Nagasaki kasutera cake. Ben has lived around the block a few times, from Ireland to Ottawa to Kenya and now finds himself pleasantly lodged in ravines of Toronto. Ben makes a living in the news biz, he loves paddling and biking — both for speed and for leisure — and is enthused about a new fiscal year of JETAA friends, fundraising and pho (the noodles that is).