Introducing our 2024-2025 Officers - Wisconsin Subchapter Lead, Adrianna Cruz

We would like to introduce you to your JETAA Chicago Leadership Team for the 2024-2025 term! This series of officer profiles will give you a closer look at each officer's role responsibilities, motivations for pursuing a leadership role in JETAA Chicago, goals for this year, insights into their personalities, and more.

Our Wisconsin Subchapter Lead, Adrianna Cruz (she/her), was an ALT in Kyoto from 2009-2014.

Tell us more about your JET experience.

I spent 5 exciting years living in Fukuchiyama-shi in northern Kyoto. I taught as an ALT in two High Schools and one special needs school. Since I lived in the countryside, I was able to connect with many of the locals to learn and experience the language and culture. Many of my best memories happened in Japan on the JET Program, and I am grateful to have made so many amazing friends there.

When did you join/how long have you been on the JETAA Chicago Leadership Board? If applicable: what positions have you held and when? 

WI Subchapter Representative since 2019.

What skills and experience do you bring to the JETAA Chicago leadership team?

I like to organize events and have had many opportunities to do so in my life. I enjoy planning relaxed gatherings that encourage sharing about JET and Japan experiences.

What inspired you to step up as a leader and join the JETAA Chicago Board?

I always enjoyed attending the Wisconsin meetings. I could reminisce about Japan and it was fun to travel to other cities around the state and meet up with others to do something new. I hope our subchapter can stay strong and active, so when Joette asked if I could start planning some meetings, of course I said yes.

What is the essence/purpose of your role? (if you're a new officer, tell us more about what you are looking forward to in your officer role on the JETAA Chicago board)

Our subchapter is fairly small, but I enjoy planning the quarterly meetings, the activities at Anime Milwaukee, and other JETogethers. When I can, traveling down to Chicago for events is always fun, as well.

Since our officers must embody and practice our Community Conduct and Agreements, which principle do you think is the most important, and/or which one resonated with you the most?

'Stay engaged, actively listen' is a good one for me. Listening is something I think people in general could do more of to gain understanding.

What is something you want to accomplish and/or focus on in your role as an officer?

I have enjoyed connecting with other JETs and organizing ways for us all to be involved in Wisconsin post-JET. Getting connected for events like Japan Fest and Anime Milwaukee panels has been rewarding.

For you, what sparks joy?

• Japanese Food

• Good music

• Travel

• Reading

• Learning languages

What is your favorite Japanese "thing" near where you live now (and/or in the Midwest)?

Milwaukee Japanese Association, a group of people committed to celebrating their Japanese culture. It is fun to attend their events.

Connect with Adrianna via LinkedIn or email!

Introducing our 2024-2025 Officers - Marketing Lead, Alexis Palmer

We would like to introduce you to your JETAA Chicago Leadership Team for the 2024-2025 term! This series of officer profiles will give you a closer look at each officer's role responsibilities, motivations for pursuing a leadership role in JETAA Chicago, goals for this year, insights into their personalities, and more.

Our Marketing Lead, Alexis Palmer (she/her), was an ALT in Tottori from 2016-2018.

Tell us more about your JET experience.

I lived in the town of Chizu in Tottori Prefecture, which is a beautiful rural area surrounded by mountains, rice fields and rivers. It's a very small community, and I tried to get involved with local community members by joining a small karate club with my students, hosting an English conversation class for local adults, and teaching supplementary "Challenge English!" lessons to some of the elementary schoolers on the weekends. I loved my town and still think about it all the time!

When did you join/how long have you been on the JETAA Chicago Leadership Board? If applicable: what positions have you held and when? 

Marketing Lead from 2020 to present.

What skills and experience do you bring to the JETAA Chicago leadership team?

In addition to the experience I’ve gained serving as the Marketing Lead of JETAA Chicago for the past few years, I also bring with me additional years of experience serving on a leadership board in other organizations. In college I served as the Treasurer for both of my sports clubs, and I currently also serve as the New Jersey Subchapter Representative for JETAANY. These collaborative opportunities have taught me the priceless value of clear and regular communication, and instilled in me the confidence necessary to be a leader. I have also learned that mutual respect is imperative for a team to not only function, but thrive. I will make sure to keep these valuable lessons at the front of my mind as I carry out my duties as an officer of JETAA Chicago.

What inspired you to step up as a leader and join the JETAA Chicago Board?

I joined JETAA Chicago events for the first time after they went virtual due to the pandemic, and I instantly felt welcomed and appreciated even though I barely knew anyone. I was able to reconnect with my JET experience and fellow JET alumni, and I realized that I wanted to help create that same feeling of warmth and unity for others. So when JETAA Chicago announced they had open positions on their board, I ran for Marketing Coordinator so I could have the opportunity to give back to my JET community.

What is the essence/purpose of your role? (if you're a new officer, tell us more about what you are looking forward to in your officer role on the JETAA Chicago board)

The essence of the Marketing Lead’s role is to support JETAA Chicago’s mission by utilizing various marketing strategies to spread awareness about the services, resources and opportunities we offer to our alumni and the wider community. This includes digital promotional materials, social media posts, the monthly newsletter, website content and event collateral. We can’t support our community if we’re not on their radar, so that’s where I come in! Helping promote Japan-related content to the community and returning the favor for other organizations is key to maintaining visibility and strong communal ties.

Since our officers must embody and practice our Community Conduct and Agreements, which principle do you think is the most important, and/or which one resonated with you the most?

The principle that resonates with me the most is “Stay Engaged, Actively Listen,” and it’s something I try to keep in mind, especially during our monthly board meetings. Since we are all fulfilling our officer roles in a volunteer capacity, I sometimes find myself succumbing to the temptation to take care of my individual responsibilities (ex. updating the other officers on marketing business) and then mentally check out, preoccupying my mind with personal matters. However, during these times when I find my attention waning, I remind myself that we are not individual units operating in a vacuum. We are each one cog in the machine that keeps JETAA Chicago operating and we work in tandem as a team, which means that we must stay engaged in the conversation so that we are aware of what other officers are doing and are prepared to offer help and advice, even if we may not be directly involved.

What is something you want to accomplish and/or focus on in your role as an officer?

As an Indiana native, I would love to see the Indiana subchapter revitalized in the same way that our Wisconsin subchapter has been actively engaged by our lovely WI Subchapter Lead, Adrianna. I plan on making a stronger effort to encourage alumni located in our IN subchapter to consider stepping up and taking on the role of Indiana Subchapter Lead. In the meantime, I will continue to strive to engage the subchapter from a distance by holding at least one event a year in-person in Indiana, or virtually by incorporating an Indiana-related alumni or guest speaker.

For you, what sparks joy?

• Cats

• Plants

• Sunshine

• Friends & Family

• Anything Harry Potter

What is your favorite Japanese "thing" near where you live now (and/or in the Midwest)?

I love the Japanese restaurant Asaka in Castleton, Indiana because it has a lot of my favorite authentic Japanese dishes, like takoyaki, curry udon, and miso ramen!

Connect with Alexis via Linkedin!

Japanese Cooking Event

Dive into the art of Japanese cuisine at our exclusive Japanese Cooking Event on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm CST. Join us for a culinary adventure where you'll master the secrets of making California Rolls and Miso Soup from scratch.

Limited to just ten participants (JET alumni and Friends of JET welcome), this hands-on experience guarantees personalized attention as you hone your sushi-rolling skills and perfect the art of making miso soup. Secure your spot today with a refundable deposit of $5.00 — a small price to pay for the unforgettable expertise you'll gain!

Sign up here!

Please contact Joe Palermo at networking@jetaachicago.com with any questions.