PTA Board

Board Leadership

The PTA leadership consists of parents and school leaders representing all school divisions who serve as officers, committee chairs, and coordinators. The PTA President and Vice President sit on the ASIJ Board of Directors and ASIJ Board of Trustees. PTA leaders are selected each spring to serve for the upcoming school year.

For more specific information about leadership roles in the PTA, see the ASIJ PTA Constitution and Bylaws.

Board Meetings and Documents

During the school year, the PTA board meets monthly. Parents with students currently attending ASIJ are welcome to attend. The board usually meets in-person at either the Chofu campus or the Early Learning Center (ELC) in Roppongi. When in-person meetings are not feasible, the board meets virtually.  For the meeting schedule, check the calendar. The PTA publishes Meeting Minutes for each board meeting. 

To attend a meeting, email PTA Secretary Grace Swaine at secretary@pta.asij.ac.jp for details about the meeting location.

The PTA is governed by a Constitution and Bylaws, which were most recently updated in spring 2025.  

Board Members for 2025-26

Get acquainted with our PTA Board Members

PTA President - Indre Mackeviciute (president@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Having four daughters – Upė (12), Luknė (10), Gilė (8), and Jūnė (4) – is undoubtedly the defining element of my life. They are my daily dose of inspiration and enthusiasm, constantly pushing me to dream bigger about the future of the world. They also kindly supply me with endless chores, emotional rollercoasters, and a mysteriously vanishing stockpile of socks. (Seriously—where do they all go?!)

Since landing in Tokyo for my husband’s diplomatic mission with the Embassy of Lithuania, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a few blissfully creative years as an interior designer and decorator—my long-time passion. I guess I’ve always had a bit of a superpower for connecting people, helping them see the beauty in their surroundings, and inspiring a sense of "we’ve totally got this" in whatever challenge we face. That mindset helped me bring the IB Diploma Programme to one of the schools I’ve worked with, and even sparked meaningful change in how Lithuanians and Europeans think about gender equality (I was a super proud civil servant!)

And now, here I am—this year’s PTA President! It’s a huge honor, a big responsibility, and yes… a delightfully unexpected twist in my story. My goal is to help make our ASIJ community more connected, more curious, and maybe just a little more bold. Shall we aim high and bring Taylor Swift in to teach our kids how to write songs? Or Billie Eilish? If you’ve got connections—don’t be shy!

PTA Vice President - Katsui Ishihara (vicepresident@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Katsui joined the PTA to be closer to her children Riku (G10) and Rei (G5), get to know their friends and teachers more and contribute to the community in whatever way she can.

Fun fact from Katsui’s days in international development with the UN/JICA: She once brought a 10 kg sack of rice to her daughter’s ASIJ classroom so second graders could feel what it’s like for many children around the world who carry over 10 liters of water daily. Some struggled to lift it, while others carried it with proud smiles!

A heartfelt moment: Just three days after a major earthquake in Indonesia, Katsui joined the emergency relief team to help provide shelters and medical aid. She recalls asking an elderly woman how she was doing, and the woman replied through tears, “I lost everything, but I’m grateful for this shelter. Things feel a little easier now—thank you, thank you so much.” It remains one of Katsui’s proudest moments.

PTA ELC Division Chair - Jenna Holdgrafer (elcdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Jenna is originally from Chicago, U.S., where the pizza’s deep, the hot dogs are overloaded, and the food is gloriously bad for you. After getting married, she and her husband Brad lived on a sailboat in California, which was either wildly romantic or mildly seasick, depending on the day. 

Jenna first joined the PTA to make friends and feel more connected here in Tokyo, and now, three years later, she’s still here because she genuinely loves teaming up with the teachers, hanging out with the kids, and being part of this awesome community. Funny how she calls herself a stay-at-home mom with a global side hustle: a kids’ art supply brand @woset.world that does pop-up in cities like Taipei and LA. Leo (G2) and Georgia (K) are naturally the best kid models! Oh right, she’s also our ELC Division Chair—because why not add a little more color to the mix?

PTA Communications Officer - Sabina Huang (communications@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Hi! I’m Sabina — US admissions consultant by day, mom of three 24/7, and someone who swears exercise and good cocktails are the keys to staying (mostly) sane. My family moved to Tokyo from Taipei last August, and I joined the PTA this year because we’ve received so much support from this community and I’d love to give back and get more involved.

When I’m not helping applicants chase big dreams, you’ll usually find me trying new restaurants, cozy coffee shops, or great bars with my husband, Eric. Good conversations with awesome ASIJ parents/friends is our happy place. Our three kids keep things lively — Lucas (G7) sells homemade granola to support causes he cares about, Aiden (G5) enjoys drumming and Rubik's cube, and Chloe (K) surprises us all by keeping up (and sometimes winning) her brothers’ dinner table games.

Let me know if any of you need recommendations in Taipei (great beef noodles & xiao long bao!) and if you have any weekend activity tips or favorite short getaways outside of Tokyo, I’m all ears!

PTA ES Division Chair - Gargi Agrawal (esdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp)

When Gargi first moved to Tokyo, she discovered that what she had heard from several other families was true-it was the supportive and involved school community that made the transition easier and the experience so much richer. It’s her second year as ES Division Chair and she’s glad to be a part of this energy and to give back. 

Gargi has lived in Mumbai, Los Angeles, Seattle, and NYC and her sense of home has always been tied to the friendships, experiences, and memories in these places. Tokyo is a place that’s very much become home to her and her family, most of all to their third graders Rhea and Rowan! 

With her chic short curls and laid-back designer style, Gargi worked in apparel design, focusing on performance outerwear for brands like The North Face and Levi’s. Naturally, anyone would want to take her outdoor trip advice when she shares her favorite go-to getaway around Tokyo: the seven waterfalls hike on the Izu Peninsula, followed by a soak in an outdoor onsen at the base—kids optional!

PTA Annual Fund Chair - Chelsea Shi (annualfund@pta.asij.ac.jp)

It’s no surprise to see Chelsea step into the role of Annual Fund Chair—she’s passionate about building community. Chelsea also volunteers every Wednesday in the science lab, assisting with class logistics, ensuring children’s safety around hot glue guns and sharp tools, and supporting the consistent application of deep learning and design thinking in the classroom. She has seen firsthand how ASIJ’s Learner Portrait comes to life in daily learning experiences.

In Tokyo, you’ll often find Chelsea at home, on campus, or on the tennis court. She is an amateur tennis player, training at Ariake Tennis Park, with the goal of competing in the ITF Masters Tour within the next two years. Sports are a family affair for Chelsea—she and her husband frequently play tennis with their children, Remy (Grade 5) and Henry (Grade 3). Together, they enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, and many other activities Tokyo has to offer. 

PTA Treasurer - Brad Ellis (treasurer@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Meet Brad — our current PTA Treasurer, though many of us still know him as the go-to tech guy from his days as the PTA Technology Officer during COVID (yes, we still ask him Google Drive questions).

Originally from Michigan, Brad has lived in Boston, San Francisco, and Tokyo—three times! His international journey began when he met his wife, Hana, performing together in a community orchestra in Kyoto, which kicked off years of living and working between the US and Tokyo.

Music runs deep in the Ellis family. Brad plays the viola and violin, Hana plays the clarinet and piano, and their kids—Charlie (G4) and Sophie (K)—both play violin (you might’ve seen their daughter steal the show at the FOFA Talent Show with Mom!).

On weekdays, Brad works full-time in tech near Roppongi. Come weekends, you’ll likely find the whole family jamming together at home—music, laughter, and maybe a few friendly debates about tempo.

PTA HS Division Chair - Preeti Kothari (hsdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Preeti is a familiar face within the ASIJ community and  brings a truly international perspective to the PTA. As the daughter of a diplomat, she spent her childhood living across seven countries and attended international schools very much like ASIJ —so it is no surprise she feels a sense of belonging being part of the ASIJ family. Of all the places she’s lived, Japan is the one she now calls home. She’s lived here the longest and has explored 34 of the 47 prefectures (and counting)!

Preeti has a son in Grade 12 and has been actively involved in the PTA for many years in various capacities including handling MS Social, then the HS Social, and currently serving her second year as the HS Division Chair. For her, the PTA has been a great way to  connect with fellow parents, welcome new families ,support the school and make lifelong friends.

Outside of school, Preeti and her family are in the hospitality business running restaurants in Japan, India and the US. She is also passionate about children’s education and has long supported a number of NGO’s which include the Asian University for Women, Abhilasha and Katariba. Preeti is always happy to connect and help so don’t hesitate to reach out to her at  hsdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp

PTA Parent-Led Clubs Chair - Jennifer Min (parentledclubs@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Jen is in her third year on the PTA board—she served as Secretary for two years and is now the Chair of the Parent-Led Clubs (PLC).

Her PTA journey began in January 2023, when her son Max (G7) was paired with a buddy. Max’s buddy’s mom was already active in the PTA and encouraged Jen to get involved. At the time, Jen was new to the community, not working full-time (she previously worked in public health), and looking for ways to stay engaged while learning Japanese. Helping out with monthly PTA tasks while meeting all these amazing parent volunteers turned out to be the perfect fit.

Outside of school, Jen’s family is all about food and fun. While the boys (father and son) dive into video games, Jen’s more about being active and exploring new areas. Max loves to cook, so it’s not unusual for the family to invite friends over for dinner, followed by a spontaneous dance party in the living room! Jen also enjoys traveling and spending time with her daughter who lives in LA.

Jen encourages all to join a Parent-Led Club! Come listen to some jazz music, go on a brisk walk, take photos around Tokyo, read a new book, or create a beautiful flower arrangement. We even have clubs for those who enjoy running, exploring new areas, or just sipping on a glass of wine or sake—all while meeting parents in the ASIJ community. If none of these excite you, please contact Jen and create a new club!

PTA Booster Chair - Kimberly Carr (boosters@pta.asij.ac.jp)

As this year’s Boosters Chair, Kim has loved being part of ASIJ’s athletics community. A native Californian, she first started volunteering in Boosters in 2021 as a way to connect with her two kids on campus through Spirit Events, and she hasn’t stopped since. 

One question Kim hears all the time: What exactly is Boosters?

Put simply, the Boosters Committee supports all of the school’s athletics programs through Team Parent coordination, Sports Recognition ceremonies, the hosting of two tournaments, and of course, ASIJ’s biggest sporting event of the year—Spirit Day. Though Kim serves as Boosters Chair, the real MVPs are the committee members and parent volunteers who show up to keep score, time swim laps, schedule games, and yes, help keep everyone happily fed. 

Over the years, she’s enjoyed working with other parent volunteers at the YUJO volleyball and Kanto Classic basketball tournaments to serve midday meals to not only ASIJ athletes, but visiting teams too. “Our guests really appreciate the effort and convenience of a hot meal on campus. Curry rice is a particular favorite—we never have leftovers when it’s on the menu.”

PTA MS Division Chair - Pascal Buckley (msdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp)

It’s Pascal’s third year at ASIJ, and he’s still riding the high of how awesome this community is. 

At his very first PTA welcome coffee, a friendly parent (who happened to be the Winterfest Chair) invited him to join the Italian food booth. As both Italian and American, a foodie at heart—and a former sous-chef at his brother’s restaurant—Pascal jumped in with a team of volunteers to serve up nearly a thousand portions of homemade lasagna, lemon cake, and arancini.

Since then, Pascal has been all in. He regularly hosts MS parent coffees at his family’s apartment near Yoyogi Park and is the go-to guy for connecting parents and kids—for ski buddies, club referrals, or academic tips.

The Buckley-Waugh family moved to Tokyo for Stephanie’s role as Vision Care Franchise Head for Japan at Swiss-American company Alcon. When we spoke, Pascal was calling in from Modena, Italy, where his family spends two months each year. His kids—Graey (G12), Droke (G9), and Cate (G7)—attend local school and eat a lot of tortellini. He’s also a competitive sailor, racing in Asia, Europe, and North America with enthusiastic teammates for local regattas and world championships.

If you’re a Middle School parent (or even if you’re not), find a chance to meet Pascal. You might spot him biking to campus from Yoyogi Park—while you’re on your way to volunteer.

“If I could tell new parents one thing—it would be: Volunteer! The school brings community—and friendships—for kids and parents alike. Join us on campus, and see you at Orientation!”

PTA Secretary - Grace Swaine (secretary@pta.asij.ac.jp)

Hi ASIJ, I’m Grace. This last year I served on the PTA Board as Communications Officer and had the great fun and privilege of working alongside Matt, Johnson and Zelda in the Communications Office. This next year I will serve as PTA Secretary as I manage a senior, sophomore and sixth grader. 

ASIJ is our third international school (after Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile and Seoul Foreign School in Korea). At every school my kids have attended, I’ve found the PTA to be the starting point of relationship, service and community. Whether it be volunteering to be a room parent, baking cookies, or making another balloon arch, the PTA is the intersection on how you can be involved in your child’s school life, serve your local community, express your creativity and find some of your bestest friends. 

With three active and diverse kids, I’m sure I am in one of your WhatsApp chats. I love to play tennis, bake, craft pretty things, walk very slowly through home good stores and walk a little faster through Yoyogi Park with my golden retriever. Please feel free to drop me a note of hello and I look forward to knowing more of you all next year. Have a wonderful summer!