Oshima to Lead Vesper Society as President

San Francisco, Calif., March 14, 2012 — Vesper Society announced today that Miyoko Oshima will lead the organization as president beginning April 15, 2012. Currently the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, Calif., Oshima has served on the Vesper Society Board of Directors since 1999.

She will replace Mary Olson Baich, who has been Vesper Society’s president since 2002. Baich will remain at the organization until May 1, 2012, and Baich and Oshima will manage the leadership transition jointly.

Founded in 1965, the faith-based private operating foundation currently works in three project areas — economic justice, health care access, and youth empowerment — in the United States and abroad.

“Though I have been on the Vesper Society board, the role of president is different,” Oshima says. “I am very honored to have the opportunity to shape the next phase of this venerable institution.”

Oshima plans to work with the board to articulate the organization’s focus and priorities for the next 50 years. “Mission is a very important part of who I am,” she says. “I would like Vesper Society to be a very grounding and healing and inspirational force, and it can become that.” Noting that she comes from an international, interdisciplinary, interfaith background, she says she aims to help the Society become more multicultural and deepen its global perspective.

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