The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation today announced that Erika Scott has joined the Foundation’s Washington, D.C., office as a program assistant. Ms. Scott’s responsibilities include the overall operation of the Foundation’s Washington office as well as management of the Foundation’s website, Asian Opinion Poll database, and Visiting Fellows and internship programs. She also will support the Foundation’s Board of Directors and related programs.
Ms. Scott joined the Mansfield Foundation’s Washington, D.C., office in 2011 after working as an intern in the Foundation’s Tokyo office. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Scott held several positions in Japan, including working as an English instructor, a tour leader with Bashukway Japan, and an intern with the International Movie Production Company. In April 2011 she was among the first group of organized volunteers dispatched from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to help with disaster relief efforts in Miyagi Prefecture following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Ms. Scott also has volunteered in India for the Panchvati Foundation, which promotes the use of sustainable, indigenous and organic methods of agriculture. Ms. Scott graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double BA in political science and Asian American studies. She speaks Japanese.
Ms. Scott replaces Sam Dundon, who has served as program assistant at the Foundation since fall 2010, and who has been promoted to program associate. In his new position, Mr. Dundon’s primary responsibilities include assisting with the implementation of the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program and the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future Program.