EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Saira is a curator, educator, producer, and curriculum developer. She has worked with and maintained strong partnerships with museums and community organizations throughout Chicagoland and internationally that explore Japanese art and history.. With an emphasis on community-driven and innovative exhibition models and programs, her work explores the art, history, and culture of Japan globally to bridge cultural competence and cross-cultural perspectives.

Director, Japanese Culture Center of Chicago | Board of Directors, Garden of the Phoenix Foundation

schambers@japaneseartsfoundation.org

BOARD PRESIDENT

Derrick Fields is a game designer, professor, and digital artist creating media exploring Black and Japanese cultural intersections. Their work primarily focuses on increasing the representation in games, and the provision of resources to new creators who are considering a path in the medium.

Founder, Director of Waking Oni Games | Assistant Professor of Instruction at Northwestern University | Board Member of Black Voices in Gaming | Board Member of the Video Game Art Gallery

dfields@japaneseartsfoundation.org

BOARD CHAIR

Mark Toyoda serves as chair of the Japanese Arts Foundation.  

As chair, Mark advises the Board of Directors and ensures the strategic vision and organizational philosophy adhere to the principles and values of the Toyoda Family.  

The youngest son of Fumio and Patricia Toyoda, Mark and his elder brother Stephen were raised in the Chicagoland area. He received a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 2011 and a J.D. from Indiana University's Maurer School of Law in 2014.  

TREASURER

Edward Maldonado is a former Curator with the Chicago Cultural Center, and former director of the Clarke House Museum, City of Chicago. Over his professional career as Curator, Maldonado worked with artists, galleries, and museums locally and internationally.

In addition to his role as Curator, Maldonado worked extensively with Chicago-based arts non-profit arts organizations including the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and Randolph Street Gallery. He has also been a grants review panelist for the Illinois Arts Council and an independent juror for various arts organizations throughout the Midwest. Maldonado is also an artist who works in painting and sculpture.

SECRETARY

Van Paugam is a professional DJ and vinyl collector specializing in Japanese 70s and 80s music, known as City Pop. Throughout the last 6 years, he’s hosted over 100 events dedicated to Japanese music within Chicago and beyond. Van has DJ’d internationally including in London, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo. 

Van has worked with renowned Japanese singers, Anri, and Akimoto Kaoru, producing several remixes for major Japanese brand JVC. He's been featured in several publications and news outlets including CNN and NHK. Van’s mission is to help Japanese music take root within the US by creating a bridge between the east and west through live music events aimed at expanding City Pop’s influence and audience.

vpaugam@japaneseartsfoundation.org