Please contact our office staff with any questions or for more information on JASC’s programs and services.

General office inquiries should be directed to:
Main office: 773-275-0097
Social Services: 773-275-7212
Email:

Contact information for specific staff members and departments are:

Administrative Staff

Chief Executive Officer: Courtney Sakai

Courtney Sakai (she/her) comes to JASC from Washington, DC with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, most recently as the Chief Strategy and Communications Officer at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP). At SFP, she led strategy development, marketing, and communications for SFP and its programs and initiatives. An accomplished nonprofit and association executive, Courtney has leadership experience in fundraising, business planning, and institutional development. Her expertise spans advocacy and lobbying, press and media relations (including serving as an official spokesperson), fundraising, coalition and constituency building, and special events. Her work has received top honors from US and international associations and has been featured as case studies in numerous textbooks. Courtney holds a BA in Economics from Smith College and is a graduate of the California Executive Fellowship. She also holds the professional Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and is a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 220; Email:

Director of Operations: Tricia Soo
Tricia (she/her) is JASC’s Director of Operations, a new position for the organization. Tricia will oversee the office’s day to day operations, administration, programs, planning, and evaluation of the organization. Tricia grew up in Naperville, IL and graduated from Vanderbilt University, majoring in Human & Organizational Development with a track in Community Development. After graduating, she taught elementary school and spent a year teaching abroad in Asia. Before joining JASC, she was the Director of Operations for a charter school in the South Side of Chicago. 

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 225; Email:

Advisor: Serve, Preserve, Grow Campaign: Michael Takada
Mike (he/him) brings a unique combination of private sector and nonprofit experience to lead both the day-to-day operations and long-range planning for JASC. With over 30 years of experience in the financial sector, Mike oversees all strategic planning, project management, financial management, and organizational leadership at JASC, translating JASC’s Mission into active services and programs. Mike’s volunteer experience includes serving as past President and Board Member of JASC, anti-racism and diversity facilitator with the Anti-Defamation League and the Unitarian Universalist Association, past President and Board Trustee at the Unitarian Church of Evanston and Evanston’s Kids Can Dance program. Mike received a BA from Boston University and an MBA from DePaul University. He helped raise three beautiful daughters in Rogers Park and now calls the Uptown neighborhood home.

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 230; Email:

Controller: Harry Rohde
Harry (he/him) joined the JASC staff in September 2023 following a long career in finance and consulting. With a Masters of Accountancy from DePaul and undergraduate in Speech from Northwestern, Harry is excited to be taking his place at JASC and helping to keep it moving forward. He is married with three adult yonsei and a large, very furry Australian Shepherd. He is the only member of his family to have not yet visited Japan, but hopes to cash in his airline miles soon!

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 227; Email: 

Legacy Center Director: position vacant

Database Coordinator: Ryan Toguri
Ryan (he/him) joined JASC in 2011 and is responsible for maintaining JASC’s databases and addressing any technical issues that arise with the office computers. Ryan also coordinates and designs the JASC eblast and Community Calendar newsletters. Ryan graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Music.

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 248; Email: 

Programming Staff

Programs & Special Events Manager: Jennifer Trautvetter
Jenn (she/her) is responsible for overseeing the planning and coordination of Programs and Special Events at JASC. Since December 2021 she uses her passion for community service, her love for people of all ages and cultures, and her fluency in the Japanese language cultivated over her entire professional career to support JASC programming. Jenn leverages her skills from more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, program administration, and fundraising to support and grow JASC’s high-quality programs and special events. After earning her B.A. from the University of Iowa in Asian Studies, Japanese Language and Literature, Jenn spent three years living and working in Japan teaching English on the JET Program before becoming a nonprofit leader in Chicago. An avid advocate for excellence in education, she volunteers for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) serving on the Stone Scholastic Academy’s Local School Council as well as other volunteer work. Jenn delights in connecting people and looks forward to strengthening your ties with the JASC.

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 228; Email:

Program Coordinator: Ruby Grillier

Ruby (she/her) has been passionate about Japanese language and culture for over a decade. She holds a double BA in Intercultural Communication and Japanese, as well as a Master’s in Japanese Translation. With a strong commitment to promoting cultural awareness and understanding, Ruby looks forward to inspiring others to explore Japan and its language, while fostering meaningful connections and experiences. She is always dreaming about her next vacation to Japan and plans to get lunch with her host mom at their favorite omurice restaurant.

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 229; Email: Cultural & Community Affairs Coordinator: Kay Kawaguchi

Kay (she/her) has worked in many areas at JASC since 1999, most recently coordinating Cultural & Community Affairs, managing classes, workshops and seminars. A native Japanese speaker, she also assists with translation services, home support programs and Adult Day Care Services for Japanese-speaking clients. Prior to JASC, Kay worked at the Chicago Shimpo newspaper and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce at Chicago.

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 226; Email:

Coordinator – Tampopo Kai: Naomi Negi
Naomi (she/her) has been delighting children and their parents at JASC’s Tampopo Kai program for over 35 years. Besides spending time creating engaging lesson plans and updating seasonal displays for the classroom, she keeps busy as a cultural artist visiting schools, libraries and museums running workshops and demonstrations of Japanese cultural arts.

Email:

Children’s Program Event Coordinator: Yuri Yatsuda

Since 2019, Yuri has been teaching Japanese language and culture to children through the Donguri Kai program. In addition to teaching, Yuri organized various events like Kids Day Camps, fundraising projects, and cultural classes such as cooking class and craft class. Yuri loves creating fun and meaningful events and activities that encourage children to explore their heritage and feel more connected to our community. She is excited to help grow our children’s events and programs,  and build more opportunities for families to come together and celebrate Japanese traditions!

Email:

Adult Day Care Services

Manager: Melba Ristow, RN
Melba (she/her) plans and supervises the Adult Day Care Services to meet the needs of our program participants. With over 30 years of service at JASC, her expert management creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all. Her team conducts meaningful activities and gives compassionate care allowing older adults to remain independent longer. Prior to JASC, Melba worked in several hospital settings, including Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial. Melba earned her nursing degree in the Philippines.
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 239; Email:

Day Care Nurse: Nanytes (Tes) Blanca, RN
Tes (she/her) has worked as a nurse in the JASC Adult Day Care program since 1996, assessing, planning and directing the total nursing care of clients. She works closely with families, caregivers and other medical professionals ensuring clients receive the best care possible. Tes previously worked in skilled nursing facilities and home health settings and earned her nursing degree in the Philippines.
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 240; Email:

Activity Planner: Katren Mesa Chiong, CNA
Katren (she/her) has been working in Adult Day Services since 2007, creating, planning and overseeing therapeutic games and activities for JASC clients that meet their social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs. Katren is a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 240

Activity Planner: Joel Villaruel (he/him)
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 240

Activity Planner: Armando Tenchavez (he/him)
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 240

Drivers: Emiliano Espiritu (he/him), Hilario Hernandez (he/him)
Custodian: Aldrin Rey (he/him)
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 240

Home Support Services

Manager: Sodarlene Khee
Sodarlene (she/her) joined JASC as a homemaker in January 2016 was quickly promoted to manager in June. She came to JASC after several years working in a doctor’s office and with an undergraduate degree from Royal University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Phone: 773-275-0097 ext. 223; Email:

Assistant Manager: Chinh Kim (she/her)

Phone: 773-275-0097 ext 237; email:

Board of Directors

JASC is directed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, lending their specific professional and community expertise to all aspects of the organization.

President

Ms. Stacy Uchida Brown

Stacy (she/her) is a Senior Director at Kellanova. She has a diverse background in SaaS, consumer products, home services and youth sports. Her experience is leading large teams and small businesses in operations, strategy, and sales. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northwestern University. Stacy has led numerous new initiatives with JASC as well as the U.S.-Japan Council over the years and looks forward to continuing to find ways to help build a sustainable and vibrant future for our community. She lives with her husband Rob and two young daughters, Sydney Sue and Sophie.

Vice President

Mr. John R. Sasaki
John (he/him) is the Managing Director of Victura Consulting. John has over 35 years of government contracting compliance experience. He formerly served as Managing Director with The Claro Group, a financial and management consulting firm where he heads the Government Contract Consulting Practice, leading a team of 18 professionals that assist Fortune 500 companies that perform business with the Federal government. John is a CPA and began his career in Arthur Andersen’s Audit practice, eventually being appointed Partner in charge of the Government Contract Consulting Practice for Andersen’s Western Region. John’s non-profit experience includes serving as Board member of the Chicago Chamber Musicians, the Evans Scholarship program, and Board member of JASC since 2005. John is a graduate of Marquette University and lives in Northbrook with his wife Elaine, daughter Nicole and twins Robert and Matthew.

Vice President

Mr. Glenn Sugiyama
Glenn (he/him) is an Executive Vice President and Global Practice Leader for DHR International, one of the nation’s largest executive search firms. Glenn’s diverse management experience includes roles at Leo Burnett USA, President of a regional restaurant chain and member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Bulls. Glenn has been a member of the JASC Board of Directors for over two decades and serves as our Santa Claus at the annual Holiday Delight and is a graduate of Michigan State University. Glenn lives in Wilmette with his wife, Patti, and has two grown children.

Vice President & Treasurer

Ms. Yasuko Metcalf
Yasuko (she/her) is an Audit partner in the Japanese practice of KPMG’s Chicago office, now retired. She joined the Chicago office KPMG in 1990, and became a partner in 2000. Her focus was on serving Japanese-owned companies in the consumer and industrial products markets and life science companies. Yasuko has extensive experience with financial statement audits and accounting- and reporting-related advisory services.

Vice President & Secretary

Mr. Mike Tanimura

Mike (he/him) became a board member of the Japanese American Service Community (JASC) in 2004 and served four-and-a-half years as president, beginning in 2008. As president, he supported a wide range of JASC activities, including oversight of senior housing operations, social welfare programs, various Japanese cultural programs, and Legacy Center operations. He has also chaired the Japanese Community Picnic since 2015, which has become a major community event, and has contributed to strengthening the bonds of the broader Nikkei community, including “new Issei” and “new Nisei” and Japanese residents. He has also contributed to the promotion of judo as a board member of the Tohkon Judo Academy since 1995.

Directors

Mr. Damon DiCastri
Damon (he/him) is Associate General Counsel at CIBC Bank USA where he advises the commercial banking business on a wide range of legal issues. Prior to joining the bank, he was a partner at a large Chicago law firm. His not-for-profit experience includes serving as the Chair of the Board of the Chicago Cultural Association and as an advisor to the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Damon received his BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and his JD from the Northwestern University School of Law. He lives on the western edge of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood with his wife Tomomi and their three children, Dante, Louis and Hana.

Marion Friebus-Flaman, PhD

Marion (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Chicago. Previously, she was Director of Language Acquisition Services for Naperville Community Unit School District 203 for 10 years. In this role, she directed the district’s Bilingual/ESL, Dual Language and World & Classical Languages programs of instruction. Prior to this, she served as the Principal of Thomas Dooley Elementary School for five years, where she directed all instructional programs and professional staff development at one of the nation’s first Japanese-English Dual Language Programs in a public school. She has also taught graduate courses in Multicultural Education and literacy instruction for multilingual learners at Northern Illinois University. She has presented internationally on the topic of developing academic language for multilingual learners, and at national conferences on multilingual program design.  She has served on the Illinois English Language Learner Assessment Advisory Committee and the Illinois Governor’s Task Force on Growth Models. Dr. Friebus-Flaman is currently a Council Leader in the U.S.-Japan Council.

Mr. Bob Kumaki
Bob (he/him) is the Managing Principal of the Ronin Group, a marketing consulting firm. With over 30 years of experience, Bob has held management positions at some of the world’s largest marketing communications organizations including Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy & Mather. Recognized as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on Asian American marketing, he is the author of Many Cultures, One Market: A Guide to Understanding the Asian Pacific American Market, and is a sought-after lecturer on the subject. Bob has served as a Founder, Officer, Director or Member of over a dozen non-profits in the Asian American arena and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bob lives in Wilmette with his wife, Mary, and has a grown daughter.

Ms. Meredith Maimoni

Mr. Andrew Mine
Andrew (he/him) has practiced law for the City of Chicago Law Department for over 20 years, specializing in constitutional litigation in federal and state courts. Prior to that he was an associate with a large firm in New York City. He has degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan Law School. He lives in Rogers Park with his wife, Rachel.

Ms. Stephanie Nitahara

Stephanie Nitahara (she/her) is a Yonsei, currently working as a Senior Program Manager at Community Partners. She brings over 15 years of leadership experience in large and community based nonprofits, including previously serving as the Executive Director of Kizuna and Interim Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League. Stephanie is passionate about building sustainable community power, creating inclusive workplaces, and developing innovative approaches to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.

Mr. Jered Pruitt
Jered Pruitt (he/him) serves as the Chief Operating Officer of CASL, one of the most comprehensive social service organizations in the Midwest. Jered has lead CASL to become a national leader in data-informed practice, and the first AAPI social service organization in the country to house a “think tank” with the Center for Social Impact, that now serves as a data and information hub for 30 other organizations coast to coast. Mr. Pruitt brings 25 years of non-profit executive experience, including six years as a non-profit CEO, five years in clinical leadership positions and twelve years in executive fundraising. He holds a Master’s Degree from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree from Judson University. Mr. Pruitt lives in Berwyn with his English bulldog Oliver.

Ms. Andrea Sugano

Andrea Sugano (she/her) is an Investment Product Manager at Vanguard. Prior to the financial services industry, Andrea spent five years in healthcare and six years in the energy sector. She has been an active U.S.-Japan Council Associate since 2016 and formerly served on the Leadership Council for Upwardly Global and other community initiatives.  Andrea holds an MBA from Yale and a BA from UT Austin.

Mr. Masaru Takiguchi
Mas (he/him) joined the JASC Board in 2024. An attorney with his own firm specializing in real estate, probate and advising businesses, Mas has devoted his time equally to community service. He has served on several local boards and commissions on housing, business and public safety matters. With a goal to honor his heritage, he joined JASC to lend his time and talent to its mission. Born, raised and educated in Chicago, he enjoys riding his bikes (both motor and non-motor), spending time with his family, including his wife and three grown children, and especially being a part of the lives of his three grandsons.

Mr. Jeffrey Uchida