(510) 654-4000, x102
mikako@j-sei.org

Mikako Amini is a dedicated social worker with a passion for collaborating with clients to address their essential needs. Growing up in Japan, she was inspired by her father and older brother, both physicians, whose hard work in the service of the community shaped her desire to help others. Her interest in social work began in high school, leading her to pursue her education at the USC School of Social Work in Los Angeles. During her studies, she gained a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Her own experience adapting to a new culture and language deeply impressed upon her the importance of working together with clients to find the best path forward, while always maintaining a foundation of empathy and dignity.  She is fluent in both English and Japanese and is currently studying Spanish. She is grateful to live in the beautiful Bay Area with her family and their lovable rescue terrier. She is excited to bring her skills and passion to this role and assist those in need of social work services.

  (510) 654-4000, x107
franklin@j-sei.org

After Franklin retired from a fast-paced career in business and finance, he wanted to work in a place where he could help people. If you are at the center, you can hear him enthusiastically greeting seniors and talking about current events. He happily drives people to and from the center and cares about everyone’s welfare.

(510) 654-4000, x107
glen@j-sei.org

Glen has extensive experience providing transportation and many years of experience delivering senior meals on wheels in Alameda County. When he isn’t making a positive impact on older adults, he is spreading joy through teaching music and sharing his musical talents as a drummer in multiple jazz bands

  (510) 654-4000, x101
miyuki@j-sei.org

Miyuki holds a Masters in Social Work with a focus on gerontology from San Jose State University and a certificate of California Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She brings with her much social work experience in hospice and skilled nursing facilities. She is interested in working with older adults as she can learn many things through their views and experience. She recognizes the importance of language in providing appropriate services to monolingual seniors and she wanted to use her Japanese language skills to help

(510) 654-4000 x104
tara@j-sei.org

Tara received her Master’s degree in Social Work from UC Berkeley with a concentration in Aging Services. She has spent several years pursuing her passion for working with older adults in various settings including healthcare and community-based non-profits. She has prior experience managing a senior nutrition program in another county. “I feel privileged to take part in serving this community and work alongside our amazing staff and volunteers.”

 510) 654-4000, x108
ky@j-sei.org

Ky is thrilled to return to her roots in the Bay Area after living and working outside the United States. Most recently, she lived with her family in Cairo, Egypt. For over two decades, she has worked in the nonprofit and public sectors in the US, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East regions managing diverse community development programs. She holds a Master’s in Public Affairs (MPA) in international development and health from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in urban studies and community development from Stanford University. She is honored to be a part of the welcoming, caring, and compassionate J-Sei community.

(510) 654-4000, x100
suzanne@j-sei.org 

Suzanne has spent most of her career in retail from sales to management to buying/planning to merchandise information which led her to technology. After leaving retail, she spent several years in product management for software and service providers writing functional documentation and testing what was developed by the software engineers. Detail oriented and a problem solver, she enjoys using her skills at J-Sei to help makes things work smoothly. What she finds most rewarding about being at J-Sei is seeing how people are benefiting from our services.

(510) 654-4000
suzie@j-sei.org

Suzie comes to us after moving back to the Bay Area from Virginia where she was an elementary
school teacher for several years and hopes to leverage skills acquired during that experience in this
new position. She also brings with her the legacy of J-Sei’s past board member and supporter, Kimi
Honda, and wants to carry on the tradition by joining J-Sei. She also is a volunteer for our Senior Digits
Class. She enjoys pickleball in her spare time.

(510) 654-4000, x105
sianne@j-sei.org 

Sianne (sigh-anne) Susbilla is ecstatic to return to the J-Sei community and serve as your Nutrition Services Manager.  She holds a Master’s in Social Work and Bachelor’s in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. Her personal life and professional career has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Asian American seniors, immigrants, and communities. In her free time, she enjoys embroidering, sewing, and dancing Hula and Tahitian.

 (510) 654-4000, x112
arlene@j-sei.org 

Arlene served as a J-Sei board
member from 2011-2019. Her parents, Raymond and Judy, attend J-Sei events and have volunteered for decades, her sister Sara volunteered in the kitchen, and
her brother Matt helped as an assistant chef. She brings a background in health care, fund development and outreach and
has worked for Sutter Health and Samuel Merritt University. 

(510) 654-4000

Laura Uyeki is excited to officially be working with the J-Sei community as the part-time communications coordinator! Before becoming staff, she has volunteered as both an office assistant for J-Sei’s Education Coordinator and for Senior Digits. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from the University of Puget Sound, in Tacoma Wa. Although most of her past career has been focused on theatre and the arts, there has always been an underlying passion for connecting back to her Asian American roots, and giving back to others in her community. She enjoys using her skills to help     J-Sei become more accessible for everyone. In her free time, she enjoys baking, doing yoga and consuming all forms of theater. 

(510) 654-4000, x103
hanna@j-sei.org

Originally from Florida, Hanna Yamaguchi grew up in a small but tight knit Japanese community that shaped her sense of connection and care for others. After nearly eight years in political advocacy, she grew a particular emphasis on environmental justice and its impact on vulnerable communities including older adults. Hanna is pursuing a path in social work to continue uplifting and empowering others. In many ways, this role feels like a full-circle moment, allowing her to foster the same kind of intergenerational connections that influenced her own upbringing.