Theresa Kulczak
Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Indiana
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. 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 and Kyoto 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.” Theresa was selected as the Midwest representative to Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Roundtable in 2007. Through her work with JASI, Theresa has facilitated key Japan initiatives and has provided support to many Indiana communities and companies, and Japanese business facilities and individuals. She received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in 2012, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays from the Emperor of Japan in 2017 for her continued efforts to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Indiana. The International Center recognized her during its Fiftieth Anniversary in 2023 as a “50 for 50” community leader who has significantly contributed to a more global Indiana. Theresa is a graduate of Purdue University.
