Dr. Satoko Kato is a Senior Education Coordinator/Lecturer, at Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education (RILAE), Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) in Japan. She is also a lecturer at the Graduate School of Language Sciences, KUIS, teaching ‘learner autonomy’ and ‘teacher autonomy’ in the MA TESOL program. She holds a PhD degree in Education from Hiroshima University, Japan, and a Master’s degree in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University, NY. She has conducted over 4,000 sessions as a learning advisor in the past 14 years working on promoting learner autonomy. She is also developing and implementing advisor education programs for teachers/advisors, domestically and internationally. She co-authored “Reflective Dialogue: Advising in language learning” with Jo Mynard (published by Routledge NY, 2016).

Alessandro is a Lecturer and English Writing Center coordinator for Reitaku University's Center for communication. He received his MS in Organizational Psychology from the University of Liverpool and is currently doing an MA in Applied Linguistics with the University of Birmingham. His research focuses on evidence-based frameworks and intervention methods for facilitating learners' self-regulation, as well as factors surrounding educator work engagement and well-being.

Dr. Osterman has been teaching in Japan since 1993. Originally from a small Midwestern town in the United States, he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from the University of Maryland. After a short hiatus, he completed his doctorate degree from Northcentral University in educational leadership. Over his career, he has taught at elementary schools, junior high schools, universities, and is an administrator at a private school in Okinawa. He joined JALT in 1995 and has served in many roles for the Okinawa chapter. Currently, he is the Okinawa Chapter membership chair, the Teaching Younger Learners Special Interest Group coordinator, and the SIG Representative Liaison for JALT. He is active in JALT functions and enjoys monthly professional development trips to Tokyo.

I am a full-time tenured Professor at UNP in Niigata. I am also the Director of Membership for JALT. I am happy to be associated with this committee -- doing workshops has helped me with my own professional development.

Assistant Professor at The University of Nagano & President of JALT. Hosts JALT ZPD (Zoom for Professional Development), a free and informal monthly networking event for current and prospective JALT members: bit.ly/ZPDRSVP. Research interests: vocabulary, discourse communities, imagined communities, self-access language tables, linguistic landscapes, leadership development.

Colin Mitchell is a Lecturer and SALC coordinator at Reitaku University. He holds a coaching certification issued by the International Coaching Federation and an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL. He is currently researching developing and improving coaching techniques with university students in Japan as part of his PhD dissertation.

Kathleen Brown (EdD) is currently a professor at Kurume University. During her long "stay" in Japan, she has developed an interest in needs assessment , curriculum development and program evaluation. Her current work involves female academic leadership and mentoring. She is involved in the JALT Administrative Committee and the JALT Mentoring and Orientation Committee.