Each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) the members of the VNCS elect an Executive Group from the general membership whose responsibility it is to execute the work of the society throughout the year. The positions are all volunteer. Below is a list of the current and past Executive Officers and Directors.
Would you like to nominate someone for the VNCS Board? Use the form below.
Board of Directors Nomination Form (PDF)
Current Executive Officers
President – Mike Abe
Michael Kenji Abe, a Sansei, was born and raised in Ontario and lived in Japan for six years before settling in Victoria in 1993. He returns to the VNCS after finishing his role as project manager for Landscapes of Injustice and is currently the project manager for Past Wrongs, Future Choices. Mike would like to contribute to the VNCS with his past experience working on research projects in the Nikkei diaspora, the monument database and the VNCS heritage committee. He is also the tour manager and guide for the Nikkei National Museum’s Tomoshibi Sites of Internment semi-annual bus tours.
Mike is married to Izumi with two children, Kento and Natsuki. He enjoys golf, shodo, sumi-e and studying the Japanese language and holds a third-degree black belt in Yoshinkan Aikido.
Vice President – Craig Mercer
Craig Mercer was born and raised in Victoria, BC where he graduated from Royal Roads University with a diploma in network security as well as technical certifications in systems administration and systems design. Craig is married to Kana, a Japanese national. They have 2 children Grace (Yuki) and Wyatt (Haku). Craig is currently working as a Director of IM/IT Client Experience at Island Health.
Craig has served as a Director with the VNCS Board off and on since 2010 and looks after the VNCS website. He co-leads the Japanese Cultural Fair with Yukari Peerless. In addition, he and Kana have been overseeing the annual Obon Grave Washing at Ross Bay Cemetery for many years now, and they have also organized several Tanabata Summer Social picnics at the Esquimalt Gorge Park. Craig believes his extensive experience with the VNCS will be valuable as the organization continues through a period of renewal and refreshing.
Treasurer – Kisae Petersen
Kisae Petersen is a sansei on her mother’s side of the family. Her great grand-parents were Shiga and Nagano families and her grandparents were Minatogawa and they came in the early 1900’s to Vancouver. During internment, most of her family was in Lillooet and then resettled in Vernon.
Kisae grew up in Cowichan Bay and then lived on Salt Spring Island to raise her two sons. Three years ago, Kisae moved to Victoria to begin a new chapter of her life. She has connected to VNCS through many heritage activities and the Japanese Cultural Fair, where she was the Finance Coordinator last year.
In her professional life, Kisae has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years. She has held financial management, fund development and senior leadership positions with a focus on social services, gender based violence, transitional and affordable housing and youth at risk. She is currently the Operations Director at the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society.
As a life-long volunteer, Kisae has also served on many charitable boards as secretary, treasurer and chair. Kisae will bring her knowledge of bookkeeping, grant writing and financial management to her role as Treasurer for VNCS.
Secretary – Natsuki Abe
Natsuki Abe is a Yonsei on her father’s side and a Nisei on her mother’s side. She was born and raised in Victoria. Natsuki graduated from UVic with a degree in Canadian history and a certificate of Japanese Culture and Language Proficiency. Passionate about spreading the knowledge of Japanese Canadian history, she co-founded the VNCS Heritage Committee in 2020. She had been a director from 2020-2023, taking a break in 2024 for health and to get married. Energized, Natsuki is excited to once again contribute to the VNCS with renewed enthusiasm.
Past President – Deborah (Debbie) Ibaraki
Bio information pending.
Current Directors
Patti Ayukawa
Bio information pending.
Karen Koyanagi Geiger
Karen Koyanagi Geiger is a Yonsei and was born in Vancouver. She has called Victoria home since 2008. Karen has 25 years of leadership experience with the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia. She was a recipient of the Public Service of Canada’s ‘Women Making A Difference’ Award. Her grandmother and father were born on Vancouver Island, and she would like to contribute to the Japanese community by honouring her ancestors and elders by creating a more empathetic and inclusive world for future generations. Karen enjoys international travel, growing orchids, and learning to cook her family’s traditional Japanese dishes.
Taro Gurney
Taro lives and works in Victoria. His family on his mother’s side (Rieko Gurney, nee Mochizuki) was dispossessed during the war, eventually resettling in Kamloops, where they resumed their farming livelihoods. He has very fond memories of spending summer and winter vacations on Bachan’s farm, chasing grasshoppers and learning about tomatoes, Japanese food and the most rudimentary snippets of Japanese. He appreciates and admires the hard work that organizations such as the VNCS do to promote and share Japanese culture with the greater community — something that his own two children benefit greatly from — and is excited to support this work as best he can. Taro is Sansei.
Amy Kawano
Amy Kawano was born in Vernon, B.C. and raised in Okanagan Centre. Upon graduation from high school, she moved with a group of girls to Victoria, BC. Her first job in Victoria was with Medical Services Plan (then called BC Medical) but after three years she moved to Vancouver to be a little closer to family. She then worked for a wholesaler who sold giftwrap paper and ribbons. After approximately 25 yrs. in Vancouver Amy returned to Victoria BC in 1995. Her brother introduced her to the VNCS and she was then asked to become a Board Member. Once she got involved with the organization, Amy has really enjoyed assisting with the different events and overseeing the food preparations for the Cultural Fairs. She learned how to make manju which she had never made before – “my grand-mother always made it for us”. This experience has been very rewarding and Amy would like to thank all those who volunteer to help put on the events.
Hanna Knudsen
Hanna Knudsen (she/her) is a shin nisei who grew up here on the land of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations. She currently sits on the Japanese Canadian Young Leaders Committee and is involved with the Victoria Youngsei group. By being on the board she hopes to be a bridge between shin Nikkei and Nikkei communities.
Doug Kobayashi
A retired Professional Engineer, Doug has served in various senior executive and engineering positions in the aerospace industry in both Canada and the U.S for over 30 years. Doug graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada, receiving his Bachelor of Engineering with first class honours. He holds a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Cranfield University in England. Doug has served on a wide range of community organizations throughout Greater Victoria including Board Director of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Chair of the Advisory Council to the Royal Roads University School of Management, Board Director of the BC Aviation Museum, President of the Westshore Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the Greater Victoria Library, and President the Westshore Rebels Football Club. Doug also served on the Board of Governors at Royal Roads University and on the Program and Research Council. He is currently serving as the Mayor of the City of Colwood and Director of the Capital Regional District.
Teruyo Sano
Teruyo Sano was born and raised in Japan and moved to Canada with a strong desire to share Japanese culture with the local community. Before coming to Canada, she studied the art of wearing kimono so she could properly introduce and represent traditional Japanese culture abroad. She first moved to Montreal, where she began her taiko journey with Arashi Daiko.
In 2002, Teruyo relocated to Victoria, shortly after Uminari Taiko was established. She joined both Uminari Taiko and the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS), contributing a wide range of repertoire and experience gained from her time in Montreal. In 2006, she also became a founding member of the Furusato Dancers, continuing her dedication to preserving and sharing Japanese traditional performing arts.
Beyond performance, Teruyo has been deeply involved in cultural and educational activities within the community. She taught at the Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School for ten years and supported the children’s chorus program following her classes. Throughout these years, she has been sincerely grateful for the ongoing support of VNCS in sustaining these cultural initiatives.
With a strong appreciation for the community that has supported her work, Teruyo hopes to give back by serving on the VNCS Board and contributing to the continued growth and vitality of Japanese culture in Victoria.
Lily Yee
Lily was born and grew up in Victoria. She has been to Japan three times, bringing local high school students to Japan. Lily has always had a keen eye for beautiful things such as washi, kimonos, ikebana, bonsai and Japanese gardens. Her three children are now young adults which gives her the opportunity to help organizations and non profits. She is currently in her 5th year as President of the Victoria Chinatown Lioness Lions Club and sits on the Board for the Chinese Community Services Centre for the past two years.
She loves organizing, fundraising and creativity. Lily has helped out with the Japanese Cultural Festival for many years and co-chaired Japan Fest for the past three years. She is a home gourmet cook and a lover of fine cuisine, especially Japanese!
Past VNCS Board of Directors
2025 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President (Acting President): Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Shinichi Tanaka
Secretary: Natsuki Abe
Mike Abe
Taro Gurney
Amy Kawano
Doug Kobayashi
Karen Koyanagi Geiger
Craig Mercer
Djuna Nagasaki
Yumiko Mizuno
Lily Yee
2024 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Dave Lawson
Secretary: Djuna Nagasaki
Karen Koyanagi Geiger
Reyna Goshinmon
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer
Yumiko Mizuno
Joyce Tobo
Kimiko West
Lily Yee
2023 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai/Dave Lawson
Secretary: Vacant
Natsuki Abe (Heritage Committee)
Maureen Bird
Yuuri Daiku
Karen Koyanagi Geiger
Reyna Goshinmon
Amy Kawano
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Joyce Tobo
Kimiko West
2022 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Natsuki Abe (Heritage Committee)
Maureen Bird
Yuuri Daiku
Karen Koyanagi Geiger
Reyna Goshinmon
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer (Website Admin)
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Christina Shore
2021 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Natsuki Abe (Heritage Committee)
Maureen Bird
Sandy Cohen
Mieko Fedrau (Cultural Outreach)
Lorin Goshinmon
Rieko Hatakeyama
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer (Website Admin)
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
2020 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Natsuki Abe (Heritage Committee)
Mieko Fedrau (Cultural Outreach)
Lorin Goshinmon
Amy Kawano
Scott McDonald (Website Admin)
Craig Mercer (Scholarship Committee)
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Bruce Yoshida
2019 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Past President: Mike Abe
Mieko Fedrau
Lorin Goshinmon
Amy Kawano
Scott McDonald
Craig Mercer
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Bruce Yoshida
2018 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Past President: Mike Abe
Mieko Fedrau
Kyla Fitzgerald
Lorin Goshinmon
Hitomi Harama
Amy Kawano
Karen Kobayashi
Craig Mercer
Kana Mercer
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
2017 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Past President: Mike Abe
Mieko Fedrau
Kyla Fitzgerald (Ex-Officio)
Hitomi Harama
Amy Kawano
Karen Kobayashi
Tomoko Okada
Yukari Peerless (Communications Director/Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Cristina Shore
2016 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Debbie Ibaraki
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Vacant
Past President: Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Mieko Fedrau
Kyla Fitzgerald (Ex-Officio)
Hitomi Harama
Amy Kawano
Karen Kobayashi
Tomoko Okada
Yukari Peerless
Cristina Shore
Jeff Tanaka
2015 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Vice President: Cristina Shore
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Toni Burton
Past President: Tsugio Kurushima
Patti Ayukawa
Kyla Fitzgerald (Ex-Officio)
Debbie Ibaraki
Amy Kawano
Karen Kobayashi
Craig Mercer (VNCS Website/Grant Applications)
Kana Mercer
Yukari Peerless
2014 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Vice President: Cristina Shore
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: vacant
Past President: Tsugio Kurushima
Kyla Fitzgerald (Ex-Officio)
Debbie Ibaraki
Amy Kawano
Yukari Peerless
2013 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Vice President: Cristina Shore
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Debbie Ibaraki
Past President: Tsugio Kurushima
James Harada-Down
Debbie Ibaraki
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer (VNCS Website/Grant Applications)
Noreen Scarth
Henry Shimizu
2012 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Vice President: Cristina Shore
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Debbie Ibaraki
Past President: Tsugio Kurushima
James Harada-Down
Debbie Ibaraki
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer (VNCS Website/Grant Applications)
Noreen Scarth
Henry Shimizu
2011 Executive Officers & Directors
President: Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Vice President: Cristina Shore
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Debbie Ibaraki
Past President: Tsugio Kurushima
James Harada-Down
Mami Harada-Down
Brian Harvey
Debbie Ibaraki
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer (VNCS Website/Grant Applications)
Cody Poulton
Noreen Scarth
Henry Shimizu
2010 Executive Officers & Directorss
President: Tsugio Kurushima
Vice President: Cristina Shore
Treasurer: Ken Watai
Secretary: Susan Kurushima
Past President: Mike Abe
Mike Abe (Victoria Nikkei Forum Newsletter)
Kathy Harris
Debbie Ibaraki
Akira Iwase
Roy Katsuyama
Amy Kawano
Craig Mercer (VNCS Website/Grant Applications)
Henry Shimizu