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!)

2009–2010 Directors

John Yamazaki :: President
Nina Inaoka Lee :: Vice President
Miko Hoffman :: Treasurer
Julia Aoki :: Director
Darren Okabe :: Secretary
Alia Nakashima :: Director
Reiko Shimizu :: Director
Reiko Tagami :: Director

Members’ Bios

Julia Aoki is currently pursuing a PhD at Simon Fraser University’s School of Communication. In the course of her schoolwork and, concurrently, her work as the volunteer coordinator for the Powell Street Festival, Julia developed an interest in the impact of spatial organization and regulation, collective spatial practices, and historical narratives on the construction of social identities. She has explored these issues academically through her MA work on historical narratives in Oppenheimer Park and creatively through the Toronto-based LOT Group’s project on mid-century bungalows in Willowdale.

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.

Alia Nakashima graduated with a BFA from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and currently works as a producer at an animation studio in Vancouver. She is the treasurer of the Powell Street Festival Society and is a performing member of Sawagi Taiko.

Darren Okabe began his relationship with PSF by attending the festival with family decades ago. A pseudo fine and graphic artist, musician and thinker, this Surrey born and raised sansei is glad to be on board.

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.

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