Meet Our National Office Team!
With a head office in Brisbane, our dedicated team of AIIU staff is committed to providing study tours for international students seeking enriching and immersive learning adventures.
Our team is a group of passionate professionals, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure your study tour is not only educational but also an unforgettable journey. The team at AIIU embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and academic exploration.
Join us on a study tour that goes beyond academics, fostering cultural understanding, building friendships, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Explore the world with AIIU – where education knows no borders!
Department Listing
National Management
General Manager – Ken Okamoto
Assistant General Manager – Mieko Horigome
National Administration Manager – Kylie Cleary
National Finance and Human Resources Manager – Kate Rose
National Office Staff
Administration Support & Social Media Officer – Jessie Aurisch
Administration Support Officer – Jenny Harrison
Outbound Coordinator – Melissa Garcia
Administration Support Officer – Lauren Fuller
Regional Managers
Queensland – Cathy Rinehart
Victoria – Kate Bamford
New South Wales – Yoshimi Fraser
Western Australia – Linda Abu Lashin
Assistant Regional Managers
Western Australia – Akiko Stockton
Interim Regional Managers
South Australia – Linda Abu Lashin
National Liaison Officers
Client Liaison Officer – Yoshimi Fraser
National Group Coordinator Liaison Officer – Jenny Harrison
Ken Okamoto
General Manager
Ken’s love of international education has been lifelong. After graduating from the University of Sydney with a TESOL degree, he taught at a local high school and other schools for 10 years. In 2001, he moved to the study abroad industry and after 15 successful and enjoyable years he was appointed as General Manager of AIIU in 2015. Ken believes that using a new language every day is key to success and that study tours and term programs give students a taste of what they can achieve.
Mieko Horigome
Assistant General Manager
With over 14 years of experience in education and business management, Mieko brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. Her strong background in the education sector has equipped her with a unique perspective on delivering high-quality homestay and international exchange programs. Mieko has a proven ability to drive business growth and enhance operational efficiency, skillfully coordinating between sales teams and internal departments. Her detail-oriented approach and strong problem-solving skills ensure that every international exchange and study tour program runs smoothly and meets the highest standards. Passionate about education and international exchange, Mieko is committed to providing exceptional customer service, helping to create meaningful experiences for students and families alike. She is proficient in both Japanese and English, which allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients and partners.
Kylie Cleary
National Administration Manager
Kylie has been an AIIU Staff member since 2011 in various accounts and data entry roles before moving into the role of National Administration Manager. Kylie is an amazing mentor and support to the other staff in the organisation. Kylie has hosted students many times and loves being a part of the memories and friendships made during the hosting experience. She has stayed connected with many of her previous students and has watched them grow up into global citizens, enjoying travel, different cultures and language. Working in student exchange is really rewarding to Kylie, and she truly enjoys making lifelong friendships and memories across the world.
Kate Rose
National Finance and Human Resources Manager
Kate Rose serves as the National Accounts Manager and HR Representative at AIIU, specialising in the financial and human resource management of our organisation. With a passion for global education and over 25 years of experience in accounting, Kate plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless financial operations of our international student exchange and study tour programs, and the payroll of our staff.
In her dual role, Kate manages the financial aspects of the program, including budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, and financial reporting. She collaborates closely with partner institutions worldwide to ensure that all financial transactions are accurate and timely, contributing to the success of our programs. As an HR representative, Kate supports international students and staff by overseeing recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing HR needs, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all participants. Her deep understanding of both finance and human resources allows her to bridge the gap between these critical areas, enhancing the overall operations of our organisation.
Kate Bamford
Regional Manager for Victoria
Kate has a High School Teacher background specialising in Japanese and Humanities. Kate is passionate about Student Exchange Programs, having participated in her own long-term exchange in Japan – a program that changed her life and created a love for travel and languages. Since then, Kate went on to gain her Masters in Asian Studies and has worked with various high schools as a school-based Exchange Programs Coordinator. Kate has now taken on the AIIU staff role of Regional Manager for Victoria and is excited to work for AIIU.
Cathy Rinehart
Regional Manager for Queensland
Cathy commenced her journey with AIIU in 2001 when her family starting hosting students. She then continued on to become a Group Coordinator and Student Support Officer for our Academic Program. Prior to COVID, Cathy worked as the Queensland Regional Manager for 16 years. Cathy has returned to AIIU in November 2024 as Queensland Regional Manager and brings with her a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion for student exchange.
Linda Abu Lashin
Regional Manager for Western Australia & Interim Regional Manager for South Australia
After 11 years of working as an ESL teacher In Japan and travelling the world, Linda has also gained experience teaching Japanese in a Primary School, and in Local Government as a Cultural Engagement Officer. Working with AIIU has been a dream come true for Linda as she is able to combine her passion for Japan, love for travel and devotion to creating memories for young people. Linda is extremely grateful to work with such an amazing team and super excited about the future of AIIU.
Yoshimi Fraser
Client Liaison Officer and Regional Manager for New South Wales
Born in Nara, Japan, and attending school in the USA, Yoshimi taught English conversation in Japan including running her own English school in Kyoto. Starting in AIIU staff as a Group Coordinator with AIIU, Yoshimi is now the Regional Manager for NSW and the organisation’s Client Liaison Officer. She now lives in Sydney with her husband and two children and brings more than 10 years of experience teaching both English conversation and Japanese in Sydney to her current role. Yoshimi’s own experiences as a young student in America have fuelled her lifelong passion to support students from around the world in positive experiences of English, people, culture, environment and language.
Lauren Fuller
Administration Support Officer
Lauren brings a diverse background to her role as an Administration Support Officer with AIIU with over a decade of experience in both government and education. She began her career with the Department of Immigration, where she worked for ten years across a range of roles before shifting focus to raise her two children. As they entered school, Lauren transitioned into education, working for 12 years as a Teacher Aide and in school administration within the finance and enrolments departments. A passionate advocate for global learning, Lauren and her family have hosted two Japanese students and enjoy travelling internationally, with a ski trip to Japan on the horizon. She is excited to be part of AIIU, where she can help foster curiosity and growth in young learners.
Jessie Aurisch
Administration Support & Social Media Officer
Jessie graduated from QUT in 2014 with a Bachelor of Criminology and began her journey with AIIU in 2016 as a host mother, welcoming both short- and long-term students from Japan into her home. In 2017, she took on the role of Group Coordinator, where she has excelled in building strong relationships with numerous host families on the north side of Brisbane, as well as fostering connections and partnerships with various hosting schools from Brisbane City to the Sunshine Coast. For the past three years, Jessie has also been an integral part of the National Office team, managing our social media platforms and supporting the online operational needs of AIIU. Her skills in graphic design, particularly in advertising and branding, enhance the visual presence of AIIU and its programs.
Jenny Harrison
National Group Coordinator Liaison & Administration Support Officer
Jenny has been a dedicated member of the AIIU team since 1999, bringing a wealth of experience and passion for international education and student exchange. Her journey began in 1998 as a host mother, where she discovered her love for cultural exchange. Over the years, she has taken on various roles, including Group Coordinator, setting up the Term Programs, and serving as the Indonesian Group Manager. Additionally, Jenny has contributed as a Student Support Officer for our Academic Program. Jenny now works as our Regional Support Officer in Victoria.
Akiko Stockton
Assistant Regional Manager for Western Australia
Akiko brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role as Assistant Regional Manager for Western Australia, drawing from her background as a tour conductor with JTB in Japan and over 15 years working in local private and public schools. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Akiko has been actively involved in initiatives supporting children in Fukushima, providing ongoing care and assistance to help them recover and rebuild their lives in the years following the disaster. Her longstanding commitment to education and student exchange will be invaluable in supporting the Western Australian team.
Melissa Garcia
Outbound Coordinator
Melissa brings over a decade of experience in international education to her role as AIIU’s Outbound Coordinator. Having lived and studied in Thailand, Japan and Italy on year-long exchange programs herself, she understands the positive transformative impacts that come from student exchange and cultural immersion. Since 2012, Melissa has supported thousands of students on their own journeys abroad, combining extensive global knowledge with a warm, student-focused approach. Passionate about helping young people step beyond their comfort zones, she is dedicated to creating meaningful and life-changing experiences and adventures.