A Tribute to Cathy Makihara: Dedicated Leader, Philanthropist, Friend
We hope that Cathy continues to create joy in her retirement and we look forward to her continued support and leadership at Nikkei Place.
After 25 years of dedicated service to Nikkei Place, Cathy Makihara retired from her role as Executive Director of the Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society (NSHCHS) on February 28, 2021. Cathy has devoted her professional work to the Japanese Canadian community, having held roles at the National Association of Japanese Canadians, Tonari Gumi, Powell Street Festival Society, the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, and the NSHCHS. She served an instrumental role in establishing the Nikkei Place Foundation in 2002 and worked behind the scenes to secure major leadership gifts to support the three societies at Nikkei Place. Both Cathy and her late husband Robert Banno have made lasting impacts at Nikkei Place through their generous philanthropic contributions.
On March 10, a plaque unveiling commemorated Cathy’s decades of service to the wellbeing of seniors in our community. The plaque reads:
“In recognition of Cathy Makihara’s years of service to Nikkei Place and Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society. It has been service marked by dedication, leadership, team-work, and cooperation with the broader community. Compassion and respect for seniors have been her hallmark.”
When Cathy was overseeing the opening of the Kenko Wellness Lounge at Nimi Nikkei Home, a dedicated activity space for seniors, she expressed the importance of cultivating joy and care through the physical space and through the seniors’ programming. We hope that Cathy continues to create joy in her retirement and we look forward to her continued support and leadership at Nikkei Place.
“It has been an honor to work with Cathy Makihara over the past five years as a colleague, donor, and mentor. I would personally like to acknowledge and thank her for her sound advice and guidance. I also appreciated how she values research to practice and integrates her values of respect and dignity to her professional work. On behalf of the Foundation staff and Board of Directors, we extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Cathy.”
Naomi Kawamura
Executive Director, Nikkei Place Foundation
Cathy inspires us to always stay passionate in work and in life.