Nonoko has enjoyed working with SMART students and families since March 2004, first as the Education Coordinator then most recently as the Program Director. She developed valuable partnerships with SMART families, partner schools, as well as educational organizations to increase awareness of SMART within Bay Area educational communities. Together with the dedicated SMART staff, she coordinated the efforts to implement the current alumni program, and is exceptionally proud that 100% of her first group of 8th graders have entered into college. Nonoko is passionate about working with under-served youth in an urban setting, as she was once one herself. She believes strongly that all children, regardless of socio-economic background have the capabilities to succeed as a student with proper support structures in place.

Nonoko is fluent in Japanese, with a near fluency in French and has traveled extensively including two study-abroad programs in Paris. In her spare time, she volunteers as the Team Leader for the Bay Area Carleton Alumni Admissions Program, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Asian American Theater Company. In addition, she has volunteered as an Advisory Board Member for Bay Area Neighbor's Project, and as a producer for One4All Theater Company and Actors Anonymous Theater Company, coordinating the production and public relations efforts of these emerging non-profit organizations.She also participates bi-annually as an actor with Young California Writer's Project, an organization that provides a forum for creative self-expression to under-served high school youth in San Francisco.  Previous to SMART, she gained professional and volunteer experiences in fields of education, administration, graphic design, and IT. She enjoys traveling, performing arts (especially those that involve urban youth!), eating good food, learning a new language (Spanish is next!) and reading as much as possible. She grew up in Tokyo and Chicago and graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, MN with a B.A. in International Relations.