Team Members
Shizuko Kitagawa
Executive Director
One of the founders of Ashita-Tomorrow since 2011. Born & raised in Tokyo,; have been living in the USA more than 40 years. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Favorite saying: 心を燃やせ！（Set your heart ablaze）--from Demon Slayer
Yaya (Bingqi) Wang
Program Manager
Hey, I'm Yaya! I'm currently a senior at Barnard College majoring in Economics and minor in East Asian Studies. Originally from Jinan, China, I've been in the US since eighth grade. My hobbies include painting, learning new languages, visiting museums, and trying various cuisines with friends in New York City. I've been volunteering at Ashita Tomorrow since 2020 and am excited to connect with more people through our activities. Join me on this journey!
Masako Ueda
Advisor- Japan
One of the founders of Ashita-Tomorrow since 2011. Executive Director till May 2023. Continue to assist in Japan side.
Kaori Ishiyama
Contributor -Vice Principal of Foreign Language Courses, at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen
Rhys Benerjee
Program Manager
Duke University Class of 2023. Software Engineer. Has been involved with Ashita Tomorrow since 2019.
Most frequent Japanese phrase: “大丈 夫ですよ！”
Naoko Kurokawa
Contributor - Senior Lecturer at Duke University
Tomoko Yamaguchi
Contributor - Iwaki HS
Teacher, career guidance counselor for the 3rd year students: Motto: Carpe Diem
Message: I hope to help young people from Japan and the United States build a peaceful and happy future.
Lauren Kim
Program Manager
]Lauren is a sophomore (second year) student at Princeton University studying neuroscience. She has been studying Japanese since she was in elementary school and volunteering with Ashita-Tomorrow since 2018. She loves being able to facilitate language and cultural exchange, and looks forward to meeting new students every season!
Favorite word/phrase: やせいやせい！
Alyssa Zupon, MD
Advisor
MD at Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine. Yale University School of Medicine · Founded Ohanashi Sessions (formerly Skype Sessions) in 2011 when Sophomore at Yale University.
Hokuto Takai
Contributor- Kesennuma HS
English Teacher Basket Ball Coach メッセージ: English is the best tool to broaden your world and connect you with many people! モットー: It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices. 好きな言葉: 燕雀安知鴻鵠之志哉