The PSF Society is run primarily by a group of committed volunteers comprising the board of directors, several committees, and hundreds of other volunteers during Festival weekend.

Our active and dedicated volunteer Board of Directors sit on four volunteer committees (Advocacy, Programming, Fundraising, Festival) along with other community members. Our directors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Society and share a love of the arts, Japanese culture and food! (See info on our community cookbook on our merch page!)

2010-2011 Directors

Nina Inaoka Lee :: President
John Yamazaki :: Vice President
Miko Hoffman :: Treasurer
Reiko Shimizu :: Secretary
Lia Cosco :: Director
Steve Tajiri :: Director
Chisaki Muraki-Valdovino :: Director

Members’ Bios

John Yamazaki has been a part of the Powell Street Festival for as long as he can remember (which is approx. 7 years now). He is currently a co-owner of two furniture stores and is hoping for a third in the near future. One of his goals is to finally learn the Japanese language and be able to communicate with his grandmother fluently.

Nina Inaoka Lee is a student advisor for international students in the private sector. As a graduate from Simon Fraser University with a BA in Linguistics and Asia-Canada Studies, she has a keen interest in organizing events to promote the Japanese Canadian arts, culture and history. Along with the PSF board she also serves on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Alumni Association as External Liaison.

Miko Hoffman is currently the Executive Director for the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre, after spending eight years as General Manager for the Powell Street Festival Society. She has been involved in the local non-profit arts community for more than 15 years in curatorial, programming and volunteering capacities, and writes and performs in various musical projects.

Lia Cosco is currently a Post-Graduate Research Fellow with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Having grown up in Vancouver, Lia has many fond memories of the Powell Street Festival as a child. After graduating from UBC, Lia worked for one year in Saitama on the JET Programme, and fell in love with Japan. She recently just moved back to Vancouver after having lived in Tokyo for 7 years. She worked as a full-time private high-school teacher and then pursued her MA at Waseda University in Tokyo in International Relations. Lia is now happy to be back in Vancouver with the opportunity to work with a dynamic board and organization.

Steve Tajiri is currently a private report writer for several lower mainland companies and works with Translink as well as some local newspapers. He is mostly known for his contributions to the sport of roller hockey having played in tournaments around the world, most recently bringing home a medal in the famous NARCH Winternationals. Also, he is the referee in chief of VIHL where he oversees training and development of new officials. Working with the Powell Street Festival Society has been a personal goal of his, and he embellishes the opportunity to work with fellow board members to promote art, music, and give back to the Japanese culture.

Chisaki Muraki-Valdovinoi is as an urban planner who has worked at the City of Vancouver in Development Services, Cultural Services, and Planning over the past six years.  She collaborated with PSFS and other community partners in the inception and implementation of the Open Door Project in 2009 and 2010.  With a degree in Government, she went on to earn a Master in Urban Planning after being inspired by the broad impact of local-level work.  As a “third culture kid” (TCK), Chisaki has led a rather nomadic life so connections to her Japanese culture are what keep her “rooted”.  She is excited to take on the next level of commitment as a Board member after several years on the Advocacy Committee.

top