Kelly Eiko Asao (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Westminster University, specializing in culture, gender, and sexuality. Kelly (yonsei) is a descendant of grandparents and great-grandparents who were incarcerated at Manzanar, Heart Mountain, and Tule Lake. Kelly is a fierce advocate for social justice, cultural preservation, and community organizing. She is committed to JACL's mission to fight for the rights of all those marginalized by injustice. Additionally, she highlights the rich diversity and history of the Japanese American community through educational projects and events.

Hello everyone! I am Sheldon Marumoto, a second/third generation Japanese American. I joined the JACL in late 2023, and I enjoy bonsai, reading, science and technology, and dabbling in barbecue. I am excited to be on the board for 2025! 

(Katherine) Kat Marumoto. I use she/her pronouns and started working with the JACL through the Peace Garden cleanup project. My husband and I officially joined the JACL in late 2023. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, traveling, and I’m also the Salt Lake site lead for Asian American Employees at eBay (Ae2) and part of the Communities of Inclusion.  

Metra has served on the board of the Salt Lake JACL for just over two decades. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah and currently works for the Utah Office of Professional Conduct. 

Erica Sun-Juršić is a multi-disciplinary artist/engineer based in Salt Lake City, showcasing paintings and visual works through local galleries and events. With a background in science and engineering—including experience in subsea and water treatment industries— they blend technical knowledge with creative expression. Their passion for community organizing centers queer LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and AAPI voices, with a focus on intersectional justice. As a child of immigrants, they strive to highlight the deep connections between social and environmental issues and how they shape marginalized communities. Outside of that, you’ll find them playing piano, tending to their huge collection of tropical plants, hiking mountains, kayaking lakes, or breaking up fights between their cats. They are also learning land cultivation and sustainable resource practices to live in deeper harmony with the environment. 

Jason Kunisaki joined Salt Lake JACL in 2018. Since joining, he has served in various roles including youth rep, membership chair, secretary, and co-president. He currently serves as the scholarship chair. His advocacy work extends to focus on efforts to preserve and revitalize Salt Lake City’s Japantown. Outside of JACL, he is working towards and MD-PhD at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Ikue arrived in Salt Lake City from Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan in 2008. Ikue started attending JACL SLC chapter events through the Matsumoto - SLC sister city relationship and became a board member in 2020. Ikue currently works at the University of Utah as an Infection prevention nurse, and loves to be a parent volunteer in the Utah Japanese language school where her two bilingual kids attend with her husband. 

Clarysa Park is gosei and grew up in Layton, UT. She currently lives in Daybreak and moved back to Utah after living in Gardena, CA for thirteen years. She is married with three fun, wild boys. They are ages six, three and four months and she is grateful to be a stay-at-home mom right now. She loves to read (although now it’s mostly audiobooks!), crochet and learn about spirituality and history. Clarysa is passionate about preserving Japanese culture. She most recently wrote a petition to revitalize Japantown and runs the website and Instagram account ‘SLC Japantown’. She looks forward to serving on the board and getting to know more members of the SL JACL!

Hello everyone! My name is Janessa Ilada and I’m excited to serve the Salt Lake JACL as a Board Member this year. For work, I’m a Mitigation Planner for the State in the Division of Emergency Management. Outside of the office, you’ll find me in a lot of community spaces. I have a deep appreciation for the outdoors growing up here in Utah and enjoy hiking, snowshoeing and travel photography with my friends. I’m involved in the Utah Asian Festival Planning Committee, the Sour Honey Art Collective and the AAPI Run Club. I really just love helping out and doing what I can to bring communities together. Until then, I look forward to meeting all of you at our upcoming events! 

Hana (she/they) is yonsei and originally grew up on the homelands of the Salmon People (Cayuse, Walla Walla, Umatilla) in the Pacific Northwest. They are involved in local efforts to build queer/trans BIPOC spaces in Utah that uplift and center QTPOC voices and experiences. Hana loves hiking, roller skating, reading, making art, and being with friends. She is a K-12 educator, proud plant mom, and Masters student at the University of Utah.