Executive Director: Kazumi Teune

Kazumi, a native of Japan, holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Gakushuin University, Tokyo, and Master degrees in political science and library studies from the University of Hawaii. In 1982, she moved to Philadelphia to join her future husband, Henry Teune, Professor of Political Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.

After working as a free lance translator for several years, Kazumi became a corporate representative in the United States for a Japanese trading company based in Tokyo. While working for the company, she attended the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania and passed the CPA examination in 1997. During the same time, she participated in the JASGP’s events as a volunteer and then as an accounting director, and developed strong interests in promoting exchanges between Philadelphia and Japan.  Kazumi was appointed Executive Director of JASGP in 2001.

Assistant Director: Sam Malissa

Sam developed an interest in Japan at the tender age of 6 with his first exposure to samurai films. From that point his enthusiasm for Japanese culture spread into the areas of history, traditional arts, pop culture, language study and, most particularly, ramen noodles.  He studied American History and Japanese at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a level 1 certification in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.   After graduation, Sam spent a rich and rewarding two years teaching English at elementary and junior-high schools in Yoshino County, Nara Prefecture on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). Sam began working as the Assistant Director of the JASGP in November of 2006 and is pleased to continue his relationship with Japan through the society’s many programs and events.   

Program Assistant: Kaori Pell