VJLS-JH is a non-profit society with registered charity status and is governed by a Board of Directors. It is made up of a group of dedicated and willing individuals who share a deep commitment to its mission and vision and who reflect the balance of expertise and perspectives needed to achieve these goals.
Elected by the Society (society members) every year, each board member volunteers his/her time and effort to empower staff to set forth and realize its short and long-term objectives. The Board also builds and maintains relationships with other Japanese Canadian and multicultural organizations and with the local neighbourhood in order to enhance mutual support and collaborative programming.
Tomonari Machida
Board Chair
Tomo was enrolled into his first Japanese language class at the Vancouver Japanese Language School in 1980. Since that time, he has been involved with the VJLS-JH as a student, a student council member, a graduate (alumni), a volunteer, and a board director. With a background in management and education, Tomo strives to continue the legacy and the role of the VJLS-JH for the Japanese Canadian community and its greater local community. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Chair for the Board of Directors.
Mike Ueno
Vice-Chair
Mike is a third generation Japanese-Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver British Columbia. As a former student of the Vancouver Japanese Language School, the organization has been a big part of his life – both past and present. Mike enjoys giving back to the community and he has been a volunteer since 2003. Most importantly, he is most thankful to have met his wife at the school and now has his son attending the school.
Russ Gray
Secretary
Over the past 20 years living in Vancouver my main interests have been in woodworking and retail. I was the owner of a Japanese Antique shop called Kikori (wood cutter). Before this I lived in Toronto where I had a business making Shoji screens and Japanese furniture. Throughout my life I have been a martial arts enthusiast, practicing Judo in my youth, Karate in high school and Kendo as an adult all together about 55 years. In the early 1980s I traveled to Japan on an artisan visa. I was lucky enough to have a sponsor and to learn Japanese woodworking.
My daughter has been a student at VJLS for 15 years; started with Children’s World (Kodomono Kuni), then Elementary School, Jr. High School, and now in High School (currently, High School Grade 3). My involvement with the Japanese community in Vancouver has come in the form of contract work for many restaurants, The National Nikkei Heritage Center, UBC, Nitobe gardens, Tozenji Buddhist Temple and many other entities. At VLJS-JH, I have built some cabinetry which you may use every day in the Children’s World and in the playroom. I hope that I may continue to contribute at VJLS-JH with my Interest in Japanese history and a long-standing member of VJLS-JH and help with facilities and upkeep of the VLJS as a board member.
Igor Pavlov
Igor Pavlov grew up in Moscow, Russia and received both MS and PhD in Applied Mathematics from Moscow State University. He and his wife moved from Moscow to Vancouver in 2006. Their decision was based on the google search results for the “Best place on Earth”, promptly returning Vancouver. Just a couple of months later, their daughter was born. It’s her passion for Japanese calligraphy (shodo), language studies and culture that brought his family to VJLS. Throughout his professional career he has been working in research and development field as a software engineer, applied mathematician and researcher for over 25 years. He also has several years of teaching experience, both at the undergraduate and high school levels, and passionate about education in general, especially about helping young people find their future career and a meaningful goal in life.
Yoshi Sugiyama
Yoshi grew up in Tokyo and immigrated to Canada in 1998. With his two sons, they have been part of VJLS-JH since 2007. This community has been integral to developing their immigrant and Japanese Canadian identities. His professions straddle over two fields as a structural engineering technician and organic farmer. From his diverse experience, he appreciates opportunities to apply his skills, perspectives, curiosity, and creativity to contribute to strengthening community relationships. Working together as a community, he believes that the continuity of VJLS-JH history thrives through people. We are woven into the complexity and potential of Canadian cultural diversity. He feels privileged to participate in creating a tapestry for the future.
Yuko Suda
Yuko is a nisei (2nd generation) Japanese-Canadian and went to Japanese Language School (Calgary) as a child. Yuko is also a Professional Engineer with over 15 years of experience and currently completing her Executive MBA (Master of Business Administration) with the Beedie School of Business.
Yuko is closely involved in the local Japanese community, including being a Judo Yudansha (black belt) and coach at the Ishikawa Family Judo Club in Burnaby and her two children attending Japanese school (Coquitlam).
Eri Chiang
Eri Chiang is a former director of VJLS-JH board between 2011-2019. For 8 years, Eri has served on the Human Resources committee as a secretary. Outside of her experience on the board, she is an active volunteer in the school kitchen that serves lunches every Saturday and contributes to school events throughout the year. She has been volunteering for over 15 years, even after her daughter has graduated from the school.
VJLS-JH has been a significant part of her life as it was a place for her daughter to learn Japanese but to also carry on the Japanese culture in Canada. As the school continues to grow faster than ever, she wishes to return to the board as a director to serve VJLS-JH for the bright future to come.
Tim Schofield
Tim is a business owner with many years of experience in event management, business development and marketing. He and his daughter have attended VJLS-JH for a number of years and have enjoyed taking language lessons and volunteering and enjoy being a part of the community. Tim has a deep appreciation and interest in Japanese culture, and he is excited for the opportunity to support VJLS- JH to bring community together through its cultural spaces and events. He looks forward to continuing to learn about Japanese culture and building relationships with other members.
Emily Akin
Emily Akin is a Chartered Professional Accountant and works at PCRE Group, a privately held real estate developer in British Columbia, Alberta and Washington State. At PCRE Group, she provides Canadian and international accounting and tax analysis, planning, compliance, and advisory services. Born and raised in Vancouver as a third-generation Japanese-Jamaican Canadian, Emily is passionate about increasing access to education and working to engage the next generation in Japanese culture and history. She looks forward to volunteering her financial expertise to VJLS-JH to help ensure its continued success for many years to come.
Paula Nishikawara
Paula is an artist, mother of two grown children and a business person. Her Japanese father’s family once owned a convenience store just a couple blocks from the Japanese Hall which they lost when they moved to Ontario during the internment. Growing up, the family focused on being “Canadian”, which meant they didn’t learn to speak other languages or explore other cultures and when the kids looked in the mirror they just saw a child. It was a naive and innocent time whose days have passed since exploring her heritage and roots. Having first made Japanese Gyotaku prints 40 years ago and since then shown works internationally; Paula is now leading fish printing workshops with the VJLS community as part of the arts and culture programming. She is also an adult language student and has attended other events at VJLS. Paula sees so much care, life and attention alive at the Hall and would like to be a part of its growth and continued success.