Our Staff
Kevin Okabe (he/him)
Executive Director
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Kevin has been actively involved in the Japanese Canadian community for over 35 years, serving as President of the Calgary Japanese Community Association and completing five terms with the NAJC as Director, Secretary, and Treasurer. Although Yonsei by generation, he has a deep connection to Japan—every generation of his family has married someone from Japan, creating a lasting tie to his ancestral country.
He joined the NAJC as Executive Director after retiring from a successful private-sector career, where he served as COO for MSH International (Canada). He also spent over 15 years in public practice as a consultant. Together with his wife, he has also owned and operated several businesses in the Canadian Rockies, and he currently serves part-time as Controller at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course. A CPA by profession with certifications in IT Audit and Governance, Kevin was recognized as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2007. His experience as a business executive and consultant equips him to provide strong leadership for the NAJC.
Laurie Harada (she/her)
Project Manager
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Laurie Harada joined the NAJC in February 2025 as Project Manager, Capacity Building Initiative, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience to the role. Her diverse professional background spans the private, financial, and non-profit sectors, including roles with McCain Foods, a Canadian and Japanese bank in Tokyo, and a transformative tenure as Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada, where she was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
A third-generation Japanese Canadian, Laurie’s family was significantly impacted by the internment of Japanese Canadians. Her deep-rooted connection to the community fuels her commitment to its continued growth and vitality. After graduating from university, Laurie spent a few years in Tokyo working in the financial sector, including at a Japanese bank. She is excited to bring her experience and passion to the NAJC team.
Sydney Christie (she/her)
Members Services Coordinator
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Sydney joined the NAJC in February 2025 as the organizations Administrative Assistant and has since transitioned to the role of Member Services Coordinator. She brings to the table 15+ years of public-facing experience across a variety of industries, and the adaptability that comes with working for small businesses and non-profits. With an education background in media communications (Dip., Humber College) and International & Development Studies (BA., University of Winnipeg), she is looking forward to using these skills to serve the Japanese Canadian community.
As a fourth-generation hafu, Sydney’s Nikkei roots originate from Issei farmers in Haney and Richmond, BC. Sydney is based in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory, where she was born and raised. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting friends out west, reading nonfiction, and perusing the Landscapes of Injustice archives with her cats.
Julia Yamaguchi (she/her)
Project Administrator
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Julia Yamaguchi is a bilingual professional born in Tokyo to a Japanese father and an American mother. Her early years included frequent travels between Japan and the U.S., fostering a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. In 2020, she moved to Calgary, Alberta, and has been serving as a Project Administrator at the National Association of Japanese Canadians since July 2023.
Julia holds a degree from Gakushuin University, where Princess Aiko also studied, enhancing the institution’s distinction. An avid athlete, she played golf and lacrosse, and her hobbies include playing the piano, hiking, and traveling.
Sayuri Toma (she/her)
National Administrator
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Sayuri was born and raised in Okinawa. After graduating from a college, she moved to Tokyo and worked as a programmer for about 5 years. She then spent time in Calgary, Kelowna, and Vancouver, as a language student. Then she back to her hometown, she worked as a web designer and website administrator for about 6 years.
In 2012, she moved to Calgary, where she currently serves as the administrator for both NAJC (National Association of Japanese Canadians) and CJCA (Calgary Japanese Community Association). She has been a member of the Calgary Okinawan Club since her immigration and has been a board member since 2020, initially serving as treasurer and currently as vice-president. Her hobbies include paddleboarding and playing the Okinawan sanshin.
Taylor Nishimura (she/her)
Communications Coordinator
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Taylor joined the NAJC as Communications Coordinator in October of 2025, supporting the organization’s communications and outreach activities. She holds a BA (Honours) in Political Science and Geography from the University of Victoria and has worked in non-profit communications since graduating.
Taylor is mixed Japanese-Canadian (yonsei) on her dad’s side and Korean on her mother’s side. She is excited to bring her passion for community engagement and storytelling to the NAJC. In her free time, Taylor enjoys cooking for her friends and family, running, and knitting.
Megan Kiyoko Wray (she/her)
Grant Writer
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Megan Kiyoko Wray (she/her) is a mixed-race Yonsei writer and community arts worker with extensive experience in writing, research, facilitation, and public programming across local and national contexts. As a grant writer, Megan has secured project funding at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, with a focus on arts and culture.
Guided by creativity and connection, Megan’s community work includes facilitating Mata Ashita: The Japanese Canadian Writing Circle, co-creating the kamishibai Rini’s Hopeful Harvest (JCAM), and authoring the non-fiction book Little Temple on the Prairie: A History of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple (FriesenPress, 2025). She is also a published poet, family historian, and trained healing circle facilitator.
Megan’s ancestors were uprooted from Royston and Haney, BC, to Tashme internment camp and Sanford, MB, before settling on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, where she continues to live.
Emily Coppolella (she/her)
Organization and Methods Researcher
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Emily is a second-year student at McMaster University pursuing a double major in Anthropology and Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB). She joined the NAJC in May 2024 as the Organization and Methods Researcher and is currently collaborating with the team to uncover and share the stories of Japanese Canadians across the country.
As a mixed Japanese Canadian Yonsei (fourth-generation) on her mother’s side, Emily is deeply passionate about preserving Japanese Canadian heritage and history. This summer, she is focusing on the Japanese Canadian Family History project, creating accessible resources to help community members explore their own family roots.
Emily has been actively involved in research throughout her academic career and currently works as a Research Assistant in McMaster’s Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, reading, and is teaching herself to play the guitar.
Joshua Burke (he/him)
Accounting Clerk
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Joshua is an Accounting Clerk who handles payroll and supports various accounting functions. He is known for his reliability and thoughtful approach to his work, and brings experience across multiple industries with a strong focus on adaptability and collaboration.
In his personal time, he enjoys travel, learning about new cultures, trying new experiences, and outdoor activities.