Staff

Theresa A. Kulczak, Executive Director
theresa.kulczak@japanindiana.org

Theresa Kulczak has served at the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) since 1988 as one of its founding staff and as Executive Director since 1990. She has worked in Japan and with the Japanese for 45 years and maintains a wide network of contacts in Indiana, the United States, and Japan.

Theresa lived in Japan for six years (1981-1987), for three years as an account executive with an Osaka advertising agency supervising the Middle East accounts for Sanyo Electric Trading Co., and for three years as an English instructor in Niigata Prefecture through the Catholic Church.  She also helped establish the Far East Office of Converse, Inc., in Osaka.  In 2009, she was appointed by Governor Tomikazu Fukuda of Tochigi Prefecture as an “Ambassador for Global Friendship.”  She was selected as the only Midwest representative to Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Roundtable in 2007, and in 2004, the Japanese Government awarded her the Commendation of the 150th Anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Relationship. She is the only non-Japanese director on the Board of the Indiana Japan Chamber.  In 2012, she received The Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Mitch Daniels, one of Indiana's highest honors conferred by the governor to worthy citizens in recognition of their contributions to the state. In November 2016, she received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays from the Government of Japan, a prestigious decoration conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, in recognition of her significant contributions in promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.

Theresa graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Public Relations.  She speaks Japanese and has studied French and Polish.  Theresa enjoys travel and the outdoors, and has served as past Skipper of the Hoosier Canoe and Kayak Club and a member of the Central Indiana Wilderness Club.

JASI is a not-for-profit cultural, educational, and business association offering the largest network of American and Japanese companies and communities in Indiana.  The Society sponsors corporate and cultural events and programs, corporate training, and social activities.  The JASI office serves the region as an information clearinghouse and provides bilingual assistance to members.  

Jeremiah Maxwell, Assistant Manager
jeremiah.maxwell@japanindiana.org

Having worked previously in the hospitatlity industry, Jeremiah brings a bright attitude and strong customer service experience and administrative skills to the Japan-America Society of Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis with degrees in English and Philosophy. A month-long stay in Japan in 2008 inspired Jeremiah to learn more about working with and living in other cultures. In his free time, he is an avid musician and writer.