Kimiko, our Senior Program Administrator, has been working at Big Brothers for 12 years! She works with the Charity team at Big Brothers, which deliver all the programming for children and youth. Her main role is database management, file management, as well as reporting and statistics. Kimiko also supervises two positions, Volunteer Intake Coordinator and Administration and Events Assistant. Before she came to work with us, Kimiko worked at a financial cooperation in Tokyo.
While she doesn’t interact with matches directly in her role, she has heard many stories from her Mentoring Coordinator co-workers of the positive impacts having a Big Brother has had on Littles in the community. Kimiko understands the importance of mentorship, she reflected, “I was born and raised in Japan and I think this goes for many Asian countries, but mentoring is not recognized. I always wished that I had a mentor who I could have talked to without being judged when I was growing up.”
Since Kimiko has worked at the organization for a long time, she has had many great times and memories along the way. She recalls having been pregnant with her son Max at the same time as her supervisor that she shared an office with was also pregnant, and how much fun they had together. Later on, she brought her son to the office and felt proud to be able to show him where she works.
As a single parent with an active 8 year old boy, her days are based on her boy’s schedule. After work, you’ll find Kimiko tending to her garden, taking care of her two pet Guinea pigs and playing with her boy. She loves to go dining and enjoy the diverse and authentic restaurants Vancouver has to offer.