Our Leadership Team

Jon Osaki is a native San Franciscan and has served as the Executive Director of JCYC since 1996. During Jon's tenure as Executive Director, JCYC has grown to become one of San Francisco’s most successful youth organizations, annually serving over 7,000 children and youth from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Under Jon’s leadership, JCYC’s programs have received national recognition for achieving outstanding outcomes for youth and the organization is frequently called upon by the City of San Francisco to implement new initiatives for children and youth.

In addition to overseeing the implementation of JCYC’s current programs, Jon continues to be active in public policy development and local planning efforts focused on creating new and expanded services for children and youth. In 2006, Jon was honored by the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel for providing outstanding support and guidance in efforts to restore funding for education at the federal level. In addition, he was the recipient of the KQED/Union Bank of California Asian Pacific Heritage Month Local Heroes Award. In 2007, Jon was chosen to receive the Silver SPUR award from the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR).

Caroline Yeo was born and raised in Singapore and earned her Bachelor of Accountancy from the National University of Singapore. She is a Chartered Accountant and a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, with more than 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and nonprofit leadership across both the private and nonprofit sectors.

Before joining JCYC, Caroline held finance leadership roles with several Bay Area organizations, where she led budgeting, financial reporting, audits, internal controls, and strategic financial planning. She joined JCYC because of its longstanding commitment to empowering youth and strengthening communities, and she is excited to support the organization’s mission through sound financial stewardship. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys photography, travel, and spending time with her family. She especially loves exploring new places with her camera and capturing landscapes, wildlife, and the beauty of everyday moments.

Lauren Nosaka is a San Francisco native. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Japanese Language and Literature and a minor in International Relations. Upon graduation, she taught English to elementary school students in Yokohama, Japan. The 1st and 2nd graders were her favorite grades to teach because the students were so excited to learn new English skills every day. Lauren has always been interested in giving back to the Japanese community. This led her to working as the Administrative Manager for the Japantown Task Force, a nonprofit in SF. Lauren is looking forward to continue working in the community and serving the youth at her new position as the Fiscal Manager. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking and trying new restaurants with friends.

Halle Sousa (she/her) was born and raised in the Bay Area. She received her Bachelor of Arts in international studies and Master of International Affairs with a focus in international development and nonprofit management from the UC San Diego School of Global and Strategy where she also worked as a teaching assistant and tutor. Halle joined JCYC because of her passion for social justice, equity, and community work. She is a founding member of the Japanese American Youth Alliance (JAYA), volunteers with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and is on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Japantown Foundation. Outside of work, Halle enjoys baking, traveling, crafting, and playing with her pets.

Kim (she/her/ella) was born in Yucatan, Mexico, and raised in San Francisco. She holds a BA in psychology and an MA in education, with an emphasis on equity and social justice, from SFSU. Kim’s journey at JCYC began as a youth participant before becoming program staff with JCYC Upward Bound. She later worked with mission-driven organizations and in start-up tech, supporting teams, program operations, and training and development. As a Latina and first-generation graduate, Kim understands firsthand the impact that access and mentorship can have on younger generations. Her work centers on creating access to opportunities for marginalized communities.

Kim is excited to give back to an organization that positively impacted her life and support the employees who make JCYC’s mission possible. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, traveling, hiking, and trying new foods with her family.

Shana Kanzaki is a native San Franciscan and former program participant of JCYC.  After earning a degree in Child Development from San Jose State University, she was hired as a teacher at Chibi Chan Preschool. In her capacity as Director, Shana has been the creative and driving force in the preschool’s overwhelming success. She has been involved in planning the physical environment of the site, the expansion to serve toddlers, and the development of cutting-edge, age-appropriate curriculum for 2 to 5-year-olds.

Lori began working for JCYC as a Site Supervisor for the Tomodachi Summer Camp. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of San Diego in 2007, she joined Chibi Chan Preschool, where she has taken on multiple roles, including Lead Teacher in the Toddler classroom. In 2017, she advanced to the role of Program Coordinator, overseeing both Chibi Chan locations. By 2024, Lori assumed the position of Associate Director for Chibi Chan Preschool and Chibi Chan Too, where she leads efforts in parent engagement and fundraising while supporting the Site Directors with daily operations.

Lisa Ma is a former JCYC program participant and began working at the organization in 2000. She has held several positions with JCYC including running an after-school program for elementary-age children, serving as co-director of the Tomodachi Summer Program, and serving as a teacher at Chibi Chan Preschool. In her current role as Associate Director of Chibi Chan, Lisa supervises the teachers and supports the day-to-day operations of the preschool.

Jennifer Yip is a graduate of San Francisco State University’s Early Childhood Education Program, where she specialized in Child and Adolescent Development. Jennifer joined the JCYC team in 2004 as a Chibi Chan Preschool Teacher. She was a teacher in the 3 to 4-year-old classroom for four years before becoming a Lead Teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom in 2008. In 2014, Jennifer was honored and awarded the First 5 San Francisco Preschool for All Excellence in Teaching Award. Since then, Jennifer has mentored and coached fellow teachers through the Professional Learning Community (PLC) project approach.

Erika Tamura is a former program participant and began working at JCYC in the early 1990’s. She has worked with a variety of programs including the JCYC Summer Daycamp, Asian Youth Substance Abuse Project, Integrated Services for Asian Youth and San Francisco YouthWorks. As Director of Youth Development Programs, Erika currently oversees the Asian Youth Prevention Services (AYPS) program, Japantown Youth Leaders, Nikkei Community Internship Program, and the Tomodachi Summer Program.

Debbie Irawan is a former program participant of the JYL (then JAYS) and AYPS programs. Debbie started working with the AYPS program as a Peer Intern while attending San Francisco State University. Upon graduating, Debbie transitioned into the Program Assistant and the Prevention Program Coordinator positions. Debbie is excited to continue her involvement with the program she grew up with in her current role as Associate Director of AYPS. Debbie likes to travel, try different foods, and go to comic conventions across the US.

Emalyn Lapus has had a long and distinguished career at JCYC. During her tenure, JCYC’s College Access Programs have grown exponentially, and is currently the largest provider of college access assistance in San Francisco. In addition to serving students in San Francisco, Emalyn successfully led an effort to expand services into Daly City.

In 2012, Emalyn was honored by the San Francisco Asian Pacific American Heritage Foundation when she was chosen to receive their Community Leadership Award. In 2013, she was also honored by the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel in recognition of her dedication to educational equity and access.

Gina is an alumnus of JCYC’s College Access programs as well as a recipient of the organization’s scholarship program. During her last year of college, Gina was hired as an Educational Advisor for JCYC’s San Francisco College Access Center. Through her role as an Educational Advisor, she provided guidance to students on the college admissions process, academic course selection, college search, financial aid assistance and much more. In 2012, she transitioned into a similar position as an Educational Advisor for JCYC’s Educational Talent Search program. As a result of her outstanding performance, in 2015, Gina was promoted to the role of Associate Director, and in 2020, was further promoted to Program Director of College Access. Gina manages the same services she benefitted from as a youth.

Arleen Gonzalez is a San Francisco native. She studied Conservation and Resources Studies at UC Berkeley. Arleen was hired in 2014, as the Educational Advisor at James Denman Middle School. In 2016, she helped establish JCYC’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) program at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. After providing support as Senior Educational Advisor, Arleen was promoted to the Associate Director of San Francisco California Student Opportunity and Access Center (SF Cal-SOAP) & Educational Talent Search (ETS). In her current role, she is excited to support staff who have crucial roles in fostering educational access and opportunity.

Jackie Lam was born in Macau and grew up in the Ingleside neighborhood in San Francisco. A product of SFUSD, he earned his Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UC Berkeley and advised college students as part of the Maisin Scholars program prior to joining JCYC. Currently, he oversees the agency’s Upward Bound program in the Associate Director role. In his spare time, Jackie enjoys writing, learning about leatherwork, and pampering his dog.

Alvin Woo is a native San Franciscan and has been working at JCYC since 1997. He is a product of the San Francisco public school system and a first-generation college graduate of the University of California at San Diego. He served as a member of the first AmeriCorps class, a national ambassador for the Corporation for National Service, and a trainer for AmeriCorps Program Directors. Initially hired as a support staff member for the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP), Alvin was eventually promoted to the position of MYEEP Director and in 2014 transitioned into the role of Director of Youth Workforce Programs where he now oversees all of JCYC’s youth employment programs.

Born in Tokyo and raised in Los Angeles, Ayako Sawanobori received her degree from Tufts University in International Relations. Ayako has been living in San Francisco for 9 years now! She previously worked as the Director at a Boston-based financial service firm. She has also been volunteering as a coach for youth girls for the last seven years in East Palo Alto and the Excelsior District in San Francisco. An interesting fact about Ayako is after recovering from a spinal injury that nearly left her paralyzed, she became an avid outdoorswoman and runner, often during marathons and endurance treks. Moving her body (aches and all), makes her the happiest!

Nicole Rodriguez grew up in a border city named El Centro, CA, where they discovered their passion for human rights advocacy specifically within immigrant communities. Nicole attended UC San Diego where they majored in Ethnic Studies with an emphasis on Race and Sexuality and minored in Dance. After graduating college in 2015, Nicole moved to San Francisco to gain more access to the non-profit sector and youth work. Before becoming the Associate Director for SF Youthworks, Nicole served youth in San Francisco through AmeriCorps, Youth Art Exchange, MYEEP, and Upward Bound. In their spare time, Nicole likes to play sports, work out, and hang out with their pet newt.

Ailed Paningbatan-Swan was born in the Philippines and raised in San Francisco’s Excelsior neighborhood. Ailed studied Sociology with a minor in Education at UC Berkeley, and has worked in both the nonprofit and corporate worlds as a Training Manager, MYEEP Coordinator for OMI, and most recently as Director of Community Engagement at Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center. In her free time, Ailed loves spending time with her toddler and new baby, and as a self-proclaimed foodie, loves discovering new restaurants in the city.