September 30, 2026
Densho welcomes new team members, Lisa Doi and Jonathan van Harmelen, at a time of growth and transition for the organization. Densho Executive Director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura reflects on Densho’s new organizational structure, in light of Content Director Brian Niiya’s retirement and growing demands on Densho’s historical expertise and resources. Brian also shares some words about Lisa and Jonathan, as well as how the new team and structure will meet the needs of the moment.
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Message from Naomi Ostwald Kawamura, Densho Executive Director
As Densho prepares for Brian Niiya’s retirement, we have had an opportunity to think not simply about how to replace a position, but about the kind of content team Densho needs for the future.
The demands on Densho’s historical expertise have expanded considerably in recent years, which we are meeting through the continued growth of the Densho Encyclopedia, new public history initiatives, and ongoing research and interpretation. We’ve also significantly expanded our educational programs and resources to help audiences understand the relevance of history in a rapidly changing present.
Rather than recreate Brian’s position, we have instead built a new structure. Jennifer Noji is moving into the role of Associate Director of Content and Communications; Lisa Doi joins us as Curator of Public History; and Jonathan van Harmelen as Editorial Manager & Staff Historian. We are excited to welcome Lisa and Jonathan, who bring with them impressive historical expertise and experience working with the Japanese American community.
This new structure positions Densho to deepen our historical work, reach broader audiences, and respond thoughtfully to the challenges ahead. At a time when public history faces growing threats and the loss of federal funding, investing in our team affirms our commitment to our mission. I am confident that this new structure will support Densho as we enter into a new era.
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Message from Brian Niiya, Densho Content Director
As my retirement nears, I am happy to welcome Lisa Doi and Jonathan van Harmelen to Densho’s staff. While I was not officially a part of the hiring committee, I witnessed the months-long search process that included many outstanding candidates and many rounds of interviews, writing samples, and exercises. The decision to hire both Jonathan and Lisa—together with Jennifer Noji’s shifting role—recognizes the growing demands Densho has faced in recent years. I have no doubt that this dynamic trio is poised to meet the needs of the moment, while expanding Densho’s historical and educational resources on the Japanese American incarceration.
Jonathan and Lisa are both recent Ph.D.’s who are among a generation of young people whose lives, education, and community involvement have been shaped by the chaos of the last decade. While completing her dissertation on Japanese American pilgrimages, Lisa was a staff member at Tsuru for Solidarity, a past president of the Chicago Chapter of the JACL, and the project manager for the new core exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. Based in Chicago, she brings connections to Japanese American institutions and communities across the country and strong organizational and leadership skills.
While completing his dissertation on the oddly under-researched topic of the role of Congress in the Japanese American incarceration (a project that is now under contract for publication by the University of North Carolina Press), Jonathan has published a bewildering number of articles in academic journals, Japanese American/Asian American vernacular outlets, and mainstream magazines and websites, many of which draw parallels between the incarceration and other elements of Japanese American history and the present. He has also been a key part of the Densho Encyclopedia team for the last several years, having authored numerous articles and serving on the editorial board. He is based in the Sacramento area and brings an ability to write quickly and cogently on a wide range of topics under Densho’s umbrella.
Perhaps most importantly, having worked with both Lisa and Jonathan here and there, I know them to be collaborative and generous scholars and workers whose ethos should mesh well with Densho’s established culture. I am confident that they—along with Jen and the rest of Densho’s staff and board—will ably lead Densho into a new era.
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Learn more about Densho’s new team and structure by watching this conversation with Brian Niiya, Lisa Doi, Jennifer Noji, and Jonathan van Harmelen.