Head Editor – Mike Taylor
connect.editor@ajet.net

Fit like? I’m Mike and I come from Aberdeen in Scotland. I’m the Head Editor for CONNECT this year and I’m excited to help share the wonderful stories of Japan’s English-speaking community. In my free time, I’m a big gamer (Baldur’s Gate 3 forever), I run a tabletop gaming group and enjoy traveling with my wife. At night I dream of Irn-Bru.

Assistant Head Editor – Brooklyn Vander Wel
connect.assistanteditor@ajet.net

Hey there! I’m Brooklyn, the head assistant editor. But please, just call me Brooks. I graduated with a degree in filmmaking and somehow ended up in Japan. Life’s funny like that, but it’s my pleasure to see it through. You’ll find me running around Hokkaido with a camera in tow, so if you want your picture taken you’ll just have to find me! More importantly, if you want to pitch for the magazine, please fill out a pitch sheet and contact Mike the head editor and I. As always, we look forward to CONNECT-ing!

Admin Assistant – Dianne Yett
connect.adminassistant@ajet.net

Hello, teehee, it is I, Dianne. A long-standing member of the CONNECT Team and now-JET alumnus, I was an ALT in Gunma Prefecture from 2019-2024. Though I have now returned to my home state of California, I wanted to remain on the CONNECT team to provide support and guidance throughout the coming year. This is going to be an exciting year for CONNECT Magazine!

Community – Tori Bender
connect.community@ajet.net

Hello! My name is Tori, and I’m currently based in central Hyogo. This year I am the Community section editor at CONNECT. I love painting, visiting cafes, and watching movies in my free time. Originally from the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S., I am also a big fan of lush mountains and rainy weather. I can’t wait to hear what stories this year will bring to the Community section!

Entertainment – Chantal Gervais
connect.entertainment@ajet.net

Hi! My name is Chantal, a Canadian currently living in Tokyo. I am always trying to study Japanese but am often distracted by the never ending entertainment and pop culture things Japan has to offer. From cute to the absolutely weird, I am obsessed.

Fashion – Sabrina Greene
connect.fashion@ajet.net

Hi! I’m Sabrina, a fourth-year JET ALT in Chiba Prefecture. I got my BA from NYU Shanghai and my MA in East Asian Studies from McGill. I got to write about Japanese fashion communities in my thesis, so I’m excited to continue that thread with AJET CONNECT! I spend approximately 99% of my waking hours listening to podcasts. I also enjoy thrifting, painting, reading, writing, cooking, making music, being social, cafe-hopping, and eating spicy food!

Language – Kalista Pattison
connect.language@ajet.net

Hey folks! I’m Kalista, a third-year ALT in Oita Prefecture. I’m going on my second year as CONNECT’s Language Section Editor and I’m looking forward to using everything I learned last year to make this year even better! I moved to Japan from New Mexico after graduating with a BS in Biology and minor in Japanese. I like science, language learning, making pottery, soaking in hot springs, playing video games, cooking/baking, and teaching myself new things!

Travel – Jon Solmundson
connect.travel@ajet.net

G’day to all. Jón here, fifth year JET up in chilly Hokkaido, with a keen interest in writing, camping, and games of all stripes. This is my second year in the Travel chair, and I’m looking forward to yet more vicarious adventures as all the wonderful wanderers out there bring their tales of Japan’s must-see destinations.

Wellness – Chloe Gust
connect.wellness@ajet.net

Howdy, my name is Chloe, and I’m the new Health & Wellness Section Editor for CONNECT. After 3 years working as an ALT in Hiroshima City through the JET Programme, I now live in Canada. I love kayaking in the Seto Inland Sea, reading, and collecting goshuin! As a former Block Leader, I know that health looks different for everyone, so I would love to learn and share what health and wellness mean to you. Let’s work together and write some amazing stuff!

General Section Editor – Maritza De La Peña
connect.generaleditor2@ajet.net

Hello! My name is Maritza and I am originally from the U.S. but currently work as an ALT in Nara Prefecture. I love train travelling, writing poetry and fiction, and learning about people’s passions. I am excited to connect with folks around Japan and share their stories!

General Section Editor – Kianna Shore
connect.generaleditor3@ajet.net

Hey, I’m Kianna and I’m a third-year JET living in Gunma. I was born in Busan and raised in Dallas before receiving my BA International Relations at Boston University and MFA Screenwriting at UCLA. When I’m not busy writing scripts or fangirling over my favorite books, I can be found studying languages and hunting for the best boba.

General Section Editor – Allegra McCormack
connect.generaleditor4@ajet.com

Hello, I’m Allegra! I’m a second year JET from Australia, currently living in Saitama. When I’m not at work, I enjoy travelling around Japan, playing video games, and visiting as many cafes as humanly possible. I’m looking forward to working with the CONNECT team this year!

General Section Editor – Úna O’Shea
connect.generaleditor5@ajet.net

Hi, I’m Úna, a third year JET in rural Ishikawa prefecture. This year, I’m joining CONNECT as a General Section Editor. I’m from Ireland, and lived in The Netherlands before coming to Japan. I enjoy travelling and reading (simultaneously or otherwise) but my one true love is baseball batting cages.

Web Editor – Austin Fontenot
connect.homepage@ajet.net

Hi everyone! I’m Austin, a 2nd-year JET living in Kumamoto Prefecture! I’m originally from Louisiana in the US. Some of my hobbies include live music, photography, writing, playing in a local taiko group, and programming. I look forward to reading all of the amazing articles included in this year’s CONNECT issues!

Web Editor – Marco Cian
connect.assistanthomepage@ajet.net
Website

My name is Marco Cian, and I don’t actually look like this. It’s a clever disguise. This will be my third year as Web Editor for CONNECT Magazine, and my first year back in the States (I miss Japan already). Right now I’m trying to obtain my final form at the gym and to get my novel published. I hope I can make CONNECT’s web articles as engaging as its PDFs and that you all will stop by my blog and Youtube channel sometime.

Web Editor – Abigayle Goldstein
connect.ajet.webeditor2@gmail.com

Hello! I’m Abi, a JET alumni previously living in Fukui prefecture and currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’m a high school English language arts and English as a second language teacher in by day; writer, cook, and friend by night; and a kpop fan in my spare time.

PR Manager – Jenny Chang
connect.ajet.prmanager@gmail.com
Instagram

Hi everyone! I’m Jenny, a fourth-year JET in Nara Prefecture. In my free time, I enjoy practicing kyudo, having interesting conversations and cultural discussions with people over a cup of coffee (or beer), traveling, and taking naps. Nice to meet you all!

Social Media – Taylor Hamada
connect.socialmedia1@ajet.net

Hey! I’m Taylor, a Floridian living on the Sea of Japan! I have a journalism degree and experience in video and written news journalism. For the past five years, I’ve been living in Japan, initially working as an English teacher and now transitioning to a “Support for children with foreign roots” position in local schools. Outside of work, I love reading, writing, playing volleyball, cooking, and creating content. I’m thrilled to join the CONNECT team as the Social Media Manager this year. Feel free to reach out if you have any fun ideas for our social media pages!

Social Media – Jedidah Walcott
connect.socialmedia2@ajet.net

My name is Jedidah Walcott. First year JET here, from Tobago currently situated in Kyoto City. As a member of the social media team, we expertly walk the fine line between keeping the community informed and indulging in just the right amount of chronically online brain rot. With a knack for turning even the most mundane updates into engaging content, we strive to make the JET community’s digital life as vibrant as their real-life adventures in Japan.

Head Designer – Renee Stinson
visualmedia.connect@ajet.net

Hey all! I’m Renee, and I’ve just arrived in Ishikawa for my first year on JET. I came here from North Carolina with an English degree and a strong interest in literature and history of all kinds, but especially the Japanese variety. My other hobbies include writing, video games, graphic design, and petting my cats (whom I miss very much). As the new Head Designer, I hope to help make our upcoming issues look better than ever!

Assistant Head Designer – Taylor Sanders
connect.assistantdesigner1@ajet.net

Hello everybody(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤ I’m Taylor located in Gunma but from Florida!I am a third year JET who majored in graphic design. Design is my passion as they say but actually I also enjoy drawing, dancing, coffee, learning Japanese, traveling, playing the piano and going to the gym! I am a part of the Gunma AJET. I’m really glad to be here!

Assistant Designer – Jessica Barton
connect.assistantdesigner3@ajet.net

Hello! My name is Jess and I am a second year JET in Gunma. I am part of the amazing Design team for CONNECT. I have a passion for designing things for a purpose and providing positive interactions though design, and that’s why I studied design in New Zealand. Other key interests I have is: drawing, driving, karaoke and programming. I can’t wait for this year and I’m looking forward to working, meeting and connecting with you all this year!!

Assistant Designer – Vaughn McDougall
connect.assistantdesigner4@ajet.net

Hi all! My name is Vaughn, I’m a first-year JET from Scotland in Osaka Prefecture. Outside the classroom, you can find me collecting train station stamps and practicing taiko drumming. So excited to get stuck in and create some awesome work with everyone in the CONNECT team!

Copy Editor – Zoë Vincent
connect.copy1@ajet.net

Hi, I’m Zoë. I was a JET from 2015-2016 and I currently live in the UK, having moved back from Japan in 2023. This is my second year as a member of the CONNECT team, and I am excited to read (and fix any typos in) the submissions from our contributors! I’m looking forward to reading about everyone’s different experiences of living in Japan. My hobbies include reading, writing, illustrating, scrapbooking, visiting hipster coffee shops, and napping with my cat Apollo.

Copy Editor – Katherine Winkleman
connect.copy2@ajet.net

Hi! I’m Kat, a third-year ALT and PA in Wakayama. I’m from California (NorCal!) and I’m so grateful for all the friends I’ve made since moving here. I started studying Japanese 10 years ago in high school, but I’ve always loved English 🙂 Super happy to join CONNECT!

Copy Editor – Kaitlin Stanton
connect.copy3@ajet.net

Hi all! My name’s Kaitlin, I’m a fourth-year JET from Michigan, USA, currently living in Gunma Prefecture. Having earned an undergraduate degree in creative writing, I’m very passionate about writing and making it as close to perfect as possible! My hobbies include reading, knitting, gardening, cozy gaming, cooking, and experiencing the vast culinary world Japan has to offer. I’m looking forward to spending another year with CONNECT!

Copy Editor – Aidan Koch
connect.copy4@ajet.net

Hello! My name is Aidan Koch, I’m one of the copy editor for Connect. I was a Gunma JET from 2018-2021, but now I live in Nagoya with my wife and daughter. My background is mostly in English literature and I work as an editor full time, so I suppose you could say I love the written word! Besides that, I’m a big fan of hiking and nature photography as well as the occasional TTRPG session. I’m looking forward to seeing what pieces we see this year in Connect!

Kimberly Matsuno (USJETAA)
kimberly@usjetaa.org

Kimberly was an ALT in Niigata from 2019-2022, during which time she contributed to CONNECT Magazine as both a writer and a section editor. She is excited to contributing to CONNECT and assist other foreign residents of Japan in establishing themselves and their careers here.