Taking the next step in your career can feel intimidating, whether you’ve just returned from JET or are mid-career and pivoting to a new sector or switching employers within your field. All JET alumni have navigated career transitions and understand that challenge. USJETAA has curated a network of professionals interested in supporting you in your next steps. This program is free for USJETAA members. (Explore USJETAA’s free & supporting membership levels here.)
Each of these seasoned professionals has volunteered to share their experience, guidance and time with fellow JETs. JET2JET Career Chats are 30 minutes and done virtually unless otherwise agreed on. Reach out to someone in the field you’d like to explore and connect with a JET alum who has made the journey from JET to where they are now. This is a chance to learn more and build your network.
Interested in being a mentor? Please reach out via email: contact@usjetaa.org
DO’S & DONT’S:
DO share who you are and your related goals with your mentor.
DO respect your mentor’s time: be on time and keep the chat to 30 minutes.
DO prepare some questions for your mentor.
DO thank your mentor for sharing their time and guidance with you.
DON’T ask for a job, DO ask for advice!
Saskia Rock
(Ishikawa, 1997-1998)
Human Resources
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Saskia Rock, a proud JET alum (Ishikawa, 1997-1998), brings her HR expertise, love of Japan, and experience in cross-cultural leadership to support individuals and organizations navigating Japan-related work and culture.
The JET Program was a pivotal experience early in her career, and living and working in the U.S. has allowed her to apply what she learned in Japan in meaningful, professional ways.
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Through her work at Saskia Rock Consulting and as Managing Director at Japan Consulting Office, she helps people bridge cultures, build inclusive workplaces, and grow their skills in global environments.
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please use the link below:
John Hayato Branderhorst
(Okinawa, 2001-2006)
Entrepreneurship
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I’m a cross-cultural strategist and consultant specializing in Japan–U.S. communication, market entry, and global business development. I love supporting JET alumni as they navigate early-career decisions, international paths, or transitions into Japan-related work.
I served as an ALT on the JET Program in Okinawa from 2001–2006, which shaped my entire career trajectory and deepened my passion for bridging cultures, building community, and helping people working on global initiatives. Outside of work, I’m into a variety of fitness activities including running & triathlons, am a nonprofit volunteer and board member, and someone who genuinely enjoys helping others chart their next steps.
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Cross-cultural communication (Japan ↔ U.S.)
Japan/U.S. market-entry strategy
Early-career navigation + international career coaching
Global business development & partnerships
Marketing strategy, campaigns, and brand building
Team alignment, stakeholder communication, and leadership development
Market research (B2B and B2C)
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please send an email to:
Doug Chinery
(Gifu, 2005-2008)
Multinational Banking
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Having extensive experience living and traveling in Japan has made it easier to build connections with Japanese expats in the US and provided more job opportunities throughout my career. (And full language fluency isn’t always needed to take advantage of these connections.) Outside of banking, I design clothes, play mahjong, and snowboard. Somehow, Japanese has been helpful with all of those hobbies.
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After JET, I used my accounting major to move into banking and have worked for a Japanese, Canadian, and American banks. I now work provide banking services to foreign subsidiaries in the US, focusing on Japanese subsidiaries.
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please send an email to:
Brenda McKinney
(Hyogo, 2006-2009)
Political Law
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Brenda is an attorney and advisor, currently working in government in Washington, DC. In addition to JET, is a proud alumna of the Fulbright program, AmeriCorps, and the Truman National Security Project. Brenda holds a Master of Education from Boston College, a Master of Laws from the University of Otago (New Zealand), and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago, where she was a Civitas ChildLaw Fellow.
Brenda served on the National AJET Board (2008-2009) in Japan and as a JET interviewer for over a decade. She has also served on JETAA boards in New Zealand, DC, and the JETAANY chapter, where she served as President. She currently sits on JETAANY's board. She is married to another Hyogo JET alumnus from New Zealand and they reside in D.C. with their three children.
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Prior to her current role, Brenda served as Counsel to Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), where she was the policy lead on a broad range of issues including immigration, civil rights, reproductive justice, and child protection; as well as a Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Brenda previously spent over six years at the NYC City Council, as a Committee Counsel and Senior Legislative Counsel to three Speakers. Passionate about public service and empowering communities, Brenda has served in the White House Counsel’s Office, United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and USAID; has worked as a course designer and adjunct professor at Vermont Law / The National Center for Restorative Justice and, in addition to JET, is a proud alumna of the Fulbright program, AmeriCorps, and the Truman National Security Project.
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please send an email to:
Laurel Lukaszewski
(Kagoshima, 1990-1992)
Visual Art
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Laurel, an award-winning ceramic artist, has exhibited across the U.S. and abroad. She’s served as a curator, juror, and mentor, and has worked with arts and US-Japan nonprofits for over three decades, including contributing to founding USJETAA and serving on its board. She’s also an Emeritus Director for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC.
From 1990-1992, she was an ALT on Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture and has been involved with the JET Program reviewing applications and interviewing prospective JETs for over 25 years.
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After JET, I earned a Master’s in Asian Studies with a focus on Japan, leading to a nine-year career with Japan-America Societies in Seattle and DC. Though I left the nonprofit world to pursue art, I remain connected to JET and NCBF. Most of my Japan-related jobs were thanks to JETs, and my passion for the network led me to help create USJETAA and become its founding Executive Director. I’m happy to chat about art (especially ceramics), the U.S.-Japan network, or pursuing your passion.
To see more of my work, visit www.laurellukaszewski.com or check out my Instagram @laurellukaszewski.
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please send an email to:
Bahia Simons-Lane
(Gunma, 2005-2007)
Non-profit
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Bahia Simons-Lane brings more than a decade of experience in international education, nonprofit leadership, and alumni engagement to her role as Executive Director of International Student Conferences (ISC). A lifelong believer in the power of people-to-people diplomacy, Bahia leads ISC’s mission to empower students from the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China to build lasting ties through student-led exchange.
She serves on the boards of USJETAA and the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), and she continues to champion young leaders through mentorship, community organizing, and career development programs.
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Cross-cultural communication
US-Asia non-profit industry
Fundraising, program management, leadership
International education, student exchange
Board volunteering
Building networks
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To schedule your 30-minute chat, please use the link below:
Daniel Lowe
(Chiba, 2011–2013)
Strategy & Experience
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I came back from JET with decent Japanese, a network, and zero idea how to turn that into a career. I tried a few paths: an MBA at Babson while working full-time in International higher ed at Showa Boston Institute, corporate strategy and consulting at Optum, and eventually starting my own Japan-focused business.
JET shaped how I think about cross-cultural work, and staying involved in the alumni community (as New England JETAA president and JETAA USA Country Rep) has been one of the best career decisions I've made. Outside of work, I'm building JapaneseCircle.com, an accountability community for Japanese learners, and slowly working through my list of Japan's 47 prefectures (40 down, 7 to go).
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Corporate strategy & internal consulting
Product strategy and experience design
Desigh thinking
Entrepreneurship & starting a Japan-focused business
Consulting & client-facing work
Grad school while working full-time
Making your JET experience "count" professionally
Staying involved in the JET community post-return
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, visit:
Ari Wyckoff
(Iwate, 2002-2003)
Government
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Ari Wyckoff is a federal civil servant at the U.S. Department of State, currently serving in the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services. Over the course of his career, he has worked in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the Bureau of African Affairs, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science.
Most of his work has focused on the planning and management of federal assistance, with additional experience in policy development and implementation.
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Federal assistance planning, management, and oversight
Policy development and implementation
Public diplomacy and international cooperation
U.S.-Japan relations and Asia Pacific regional coordination
Interagency and cross cultural collaboration
Fellowship experience with the Mansfield Foundation in Japan
Leadership and coordination of employee and alumni organizations
Nonprofit volunteer work supporting education and community development
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Ari is available for these coffee chats twice a month. To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please send an email to:
Aaron Woolfolk
(Kochi, 1992-1993)
Film-Making
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Aaron Woolfolk is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. He filled all three roles on his film, The Harimaya Bridge, which was the first feature film made in Japan by a Black director and included Danny Glover in the cast. He also co-wrote the Ovation Award-nominated play Bronzeville. Most recently, he wrote and directed the science fiction stories Family Line and Renaissance Man and the ghost story There’s Something Going On With Sam for the podcast anthology series Earbud Theater.
Aaron’s first film Rage! won a Directors Guild of America award, and his subsequent shorts Eki (The Station), Kuroi Hitsuji (Black Sheep), and Nico’s Sampaguita won several awards and screened internationally. Aaron was a Walt Disney Studios/ABC Entertainment Writing Fellow. His work has been invited to screen at The Smithsonian Institution, the Toronto International Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Japan Society, and other prestigious showcases. He is currently developing film projects in the United States and Japan. He is also writing his first novel and a book of short stories.
Aaron was born and raised in Oakland, California. He graduated with degrees in both Ethnic Studies and Rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley, and with an MFA in Film from Columbia University.
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Writing for film, theater, podcasts dramas
Directing and writing feature films and short films
Cross cultural storytelling and working in the Japanese and American film industries
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation, please send an email to:
aaron@younglionproductions.com.
In your email, please provide your areas of interest, what your goals may be, and where you currently are in their artistic/career journey. Aaron would also like to know a piece of work (a film or TV show or play, etc.) that inspires you and why.
Tuan Do
(Ibaraki, 1991–1993)
HR / International Development
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Tuan is a Strategic HR Professional with over 25 years of experience within the United Nations. Currently an HR Business Partner and undergoing certification as a leadership coach, Tuan specializes in workforce planning, global outreach, and the full recruitment lifecycle. Having navigated a diverse career path from JET to senior leadership roles in the US, Vietnam and Switzerland, he is passionate about helping others navigate international career transitions, ethics in the workplace, and strategic professional development.
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International Careers: Navigating the UN Common System and International Organizations.
Recruitment Mastery: Resume strategies, interview preparation (including competency-based interviews), and talent acquisition.
Global Mobility: Navigating the logistics and mindset of living and working across different cultures.
Leadership & Ethics: Strategic management, workplace integrity, and leadership coaching.
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Tuan is happy to support up to 2 sessions per month. To schedule your 30-minute conversation, send a message to Tuan via LinkedIn:
Eirene Tran Donohue
(Nagasaki, 2002–2004)
Screenwriting
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Eirene Tran Donohue is a Vietnamese/Irish writer, originally from RI. A graduate of Brown University, she spent years working and traveling in Asia, Africa and New York before pursuing a career in screenwriting. Her first script was a semi-finalist in the Nicholl Fellowship, run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to identify emerging screenwriters. Since then she has sold TV and feature projects to multiple outlets including Lionsgate, ABC Studios, Freeform, Disney, Netflix, Lifetime and Hallmark. Her most recently produced projects include 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVE, starring Kelsey Grammar, A CHRISTMAS SPARK, starring Jane Seymour, CHRISTMAS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, a Taylor-Swift inspired rom com, and A TOURIST'S GUIDE TO LOVE, starring Rachael Leigh Cook, which was the number one movie on Netflix in the world when it was released. Her film, A SUGAR AND SPICE HOLIDAY, for Lifetime, was one of the first holiday-themed cable movies to feature a predominantly Asian cast.
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Eirene has been a working WGA (WRITER'S GUILD OF AMERICA) screenwriter for 15 years. She has a wealth of experience navigating the film and tv industry, having sold both TV pilots and feature films. She can offer feedback on the craft of writing and also the emotional/personal skills needed to thrive as a professional writer.
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To schedule a 30-minute conversation with Eirene, please email her at: