Meet Our Staff
Mark Smith - Executive Director
Mark spent a total of 13 years living and working in Japan with his first exposure to Japan coming as a Rotary Club sponsored high school exchange student in 1977/78. Returning as an adult, he taught English for companies such as Matsushita Denki, NHK-Kyoto and the Shiga YMCA before accepting a faculty position at Kobe Shoin Women’s University in 1995. Smith is also the former owner and operator of American Outdoor Adventures, a Japan based eco-tourism business, and led environmental education programs for Japanese youth and adults to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and East Africa.A graduate of the University of Washington’s Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies (Japan focus), he is also currently a Lynnwood City Council member and serves on the board of directors for Good Shepherd Housing, an affordable housing project for low-income seniors.
Akiko Olson - Japan in the Schools Program Coordinator
My name is Akiko Olson, the Japan in the schools coordinator. I started as a volunteer with JIS in 2008 and became coordinator on October 13, 2009. I love what I do here at Japan America Society, helping to establish an acknowledgement of Japan or Japanese culture in our community.Meeting lots of kind people and getting involved with schools by coordinating visits or planning events is a real thrill for me. Talking to young students in a classroom setting is also thoroughly enjoyable. It is truly a pleasure to share what I know about Japan to someone who is interested in my home country!
