When the final whistle blew at the September WJAA volleyball tournament and the YIS Junior Varsity girls lifted the gold trophy, the scoreboard marked their hard-earned success. But what moved me most was the single breath they seemed to hold together. It was released in a thunderous scream, then laughter. And I was also touched by how they supported each other throughout the weekend. That stayed with me.
As a parent, I have experienced many of these moments from the sidelines, cheering for my wonderful daughters: Paula, now in Grade 12, and Vita, in Grade 10. Sports, like academics, require discipline, persistence, resilience, focus, adaptability, confidence, and balance. Both shape our children just as much as points on a scoreboard. Every practice, every late night of study, every comeback after a loss or a disappointing exam teaches something important. Success is not accidental. It is built step by step, through effort and reflection.
Our family is from Croatia, and Japan has been our home for the past ten years, thanks to my husband’s career. YIS has been at the heart of that journey, shaping our lives in ways I never imagined. Over the years, I have served as a class parent, mentor parent, and IB Diploma exam invigilator. Each role gave me a deeper insight into the daily life of YIS.
When I joined the Board, I brought those experiences with me. For me, serving on the Board is an extension of what I already do as a parent. I listen. I ask thoughtful questions. I share knowledge. And I learn from others. My professional background is in technology and leadership at Ericsson, where I spent nearly twenty years. There, I learned to work across cultures, set strategic goals, and foster a spirit of impact, change, and innovation. On the Board, I use these skills to support policies, strategy, and financial sustainability. I contribute to governance reviews and financial guiding principles that shape our short, medium, and long-term goals. But behind every agenda item, I remind myself of one thing. This is about real teachers, real students, and real families. Every discussion comes back to one question: How does this help our students?
Outside of work and school, one of my passions is painting. Art reminds me that growth comes from practice and reflection. It also comes from seeing a subject from different perspectives. This is the same mindset I bring to my work on the Board and my life at YIS.
I have seen YIS teachers challenge my daughters not just to master content, but also to combine knowledge with resilience and curiosity, and to turn learning into lived experience. That is what I want for every student. Academics matter. They open doors. But when paired with creativity and collaboration, they give our students the courage to walk through those classrooms and courts with confidence. In the end, learning is not a solo sport. It is something we build together. Teachers, parents, students, Board members, and the leadership team each play a part. And when our students succeed, we feel like winners too. Because their game is our game too.
Warm regards,
Vesna Jarnjak
Board of Directors Member