Alumni Panel
YIS 100th Anniversary Alumni Panel
"Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon"
As part of Yokohama International School's 100th Anniversary celebration, we are excited to present two engaging panel discussions under the theme "Life After YIS: Building a Career and Future Inside and Outside Japan."
Session 1:
Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Featuring alumni from the classes of 1970 to 2000.
Session 2:
Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Featuring alumni from the classes of 2001 to 2020.
Venue: YIS Cafeteria Stage
These sessions will explore what it means to be a YIS Dragon following graduation. Through the lens of "Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon," our panelists will reflect on how their experiences at YIS shaped the course of their lives and careers, whether they chose to stay in Japan or venture abroad, and how the ethos of YIS continues to influence their journeys today.
Our panelists, from various generations, will share memories of their time at YIS – the friendships, challenges, and defining moments – and how these experiences prepared them for the next steps in their lives. From building careers in fields like technology, education, business, and the arts, to navigating the challenges of living and working both inside and outside Japan, each panelist's story is unique. Yet, at the core, they all carry forward the spirit of being a Dragon: adaptable, resilient, and globally minded.
But what does it really mean to be a Dragon today? Our alumni will speak not only about their successes but also about the challenges they’ve faced along the way. They will discuss how their YIS experience continues to shape their identity, decisions, and values – the integrated ethos that defines what it means to "Always be a Dragon."
Meet a Few of Our Panelists
Chris
YIS Grade 8 Class of 1966
Chris grew up in Yokohama and spent his early years at YIS before pursuing a diverse and dynamic career across education and law.
After teaching at YIS and completing a law degree, he practiced law internationally, spending years in both Korea and Japan, before settling in Seattle.
His journey reflects a deep connection to Japan and a lifelong commitment to international work, education, and advocacy. Chris now enjoys an active retirement filled with creative passions like jazz, ceramics, and baking.
Chris pictured top row center
Julia
YIS Class of 2018
Julia pursued her passion for political science and economics at Waseda University and now works as a marketer for Unilever Japan.
Her commitment to community work, honed during her time volunteering while at YIS, continues today as she leads self-esteem workshops at her alma mater.
Julia’s experience also includes participation in the Miss World Japan competition, where she combined her advocacy with leadership skills.
Jess
YIS Class of 2009
Jess spent nine formative years at YIS before embarking on an adventurous career at the intersection of biology and technology.
From designing laboratory systems to leading digital transformation in life sciences at a global consulting firm, Jess’s career has taken her across the U.S. and beyond.
Currently, in San Francisco’s biotech start-up scene, she combines biology with AI to develop new therapeutics, while outside of work, she’s always seeking new adventures—whether on a motorcycle, a boat, or a plane.
Paris
YIS Class of 2007
Paris’s journey spans the world of professional soccer and beyond. After living in London and training with Yokohama F. Marinos, Paris returned to YIS, which became a family during his years pursuing soccer.
His career took him to Denmark, Spain, and Hong Kong before he transitioned from professional sports to sports management, now bridging Japanese and European markets.
Paris continues to nurture new talent, leveraging his cultural and professional expertise to help young athletes succeed.