We’re counting down the days until we gather in Los Angeles for the 2026 CKA Envision Gala & Summit! This year’s national gathering of Korean American leaders will bring our community together to celebrate how far we have come and imagine what comes next.
This year’s theme, Our Evolving Community, honors the remarkable arc of the Korean American story, from immigration and resilience to leadership, innovation, and influence across industries. And there is so much to celebrate this year: 15 years of CKA, 20 years of NetKAL, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Together, we’ll honor our shared history, celebrate the accomplishments of our community, and create space for meaningful conversations about the critical issues shaping our future.
There are so many ways to join us throughout the weekend. Explore the schedule and find the events that are right for you:
| Thursday October 22 |
Women’s Affinity Group Summit NetKAL 20-Year Reunion |
| Friday October 23 |
CKA Summit CKA NextGen Summit CKA x ELOREA Reception |
| Saturday October 24 |
Community Run Member Breakfast & Salon KYCC Day of Service 2026 CKA Envision Gala |
We’re especially excited to honor Julie Kim, President & CEO of Takeda and Ho Nam, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Altos Venture for their leadership, resilience, and thoughtful community building.
Our Friday will be a day of learning with Korean American key leaders like: Beong-Soo Kim, President of the University of Southern California, Mina Kimes, Senior NFL Analyst of ESPN, David Ko, Former CEO of Calm, L. Song Richardson, Chancellor’s Professor of Law of UC Irvine School of Law, and Ned Koh, Co-Founder & President of Aaru. Their conversation joins an incredible lineup of leaders and programming throughout the weekend.
We’re also excited to launch the inaugural CKA NextGen Summit, bringing together Korean diaspora students, young professionals, recent graduates, and young leaders for a day of candid mentorship, skill building, and community connection. Attendees will have opportunities for deeper discussions, 1:1 mentorship and direct access to Korean American leaders across industries.
It’s not too late to join us! Individual tickets are now on sale, so whether you want to join us for the Summit, celebrate with us at the Gala, or experience the full weekend, we hope to see you in Los Angeles. You don’t want to miss this milestone gathering.
Explore the full Envision program and get your tickets.
Below, explore some of this month’s biggest news from the Korean American community, celebrate the accomplishments of CKA members, and discover upcoming opportunities to connect.
Consider this ➜ What does meaningful connection within the Korean American community look like to you? What’s one step you can take to strengthen that connection?
BJay Pak Steps Into Top Legal Role at Delta Air Lines
Korean American leadership continues to expand across major U.S. companies, with CKA Member Byung J. “BJay” Pak joining Delta Air Lines as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Pak brings experience across the public and private sectors, including serving as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia from 2017 to 2021 and in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.
His appointment places a Korean American leader in a key executive role at one of the world’s largest airlines.
Read more about BJay Pak’s new leadership role at Delta Air Lines.
Korean American Leaders Strengthen Connections with Korea Through 2026 CKA Leadership Trip
Last month, fourty CKA Members from policy, business, education, culture, and the arts gathered in Seoul for the 2026 CKA Korea Leadership Trip—a week built around dialogue, discovery, and connection. Together, participants met with foundations, government and industry leaders, and changemakers shaping Korea’s future, while reconnecting with the heritage that shapes our own.
Throughout the trip, participants engaged with other leaders on issues influencing both Korea and the Korean diaspora. Conversations included the evolution of leadership and Korea’s growing cultural influence to AI, the future of work, entrepreneurship, and global business. Speakers and collaborators included leaders from Samsung Electronics, OpenAI Korea, Salesforce, Frieze Seoul, AmorePacific, the Arumjigi Foundation, and more.
👉 View highlights from the 2026 CKA Korea Leadership Trip on Flickr
The trip brought Korean American leaders closer to the people and ideas shaping Korea today. These connections help build a stronger relationship between Korea and the Korean American community for years to come.
NetKAL XIV Celebrates 20 Years of Developing Korean American Leaders
This summer, the NetKAL XIV cohort completed its five-month leadership journey, marking 20 years of NetKAL developing and connecting Korean American leaders. Across five weekends, fellows explored their identities and leadership styles, learned from leaders across sectors, and built relationships with one another and the broader NetKAL community.
The final weekends in Chicago and San Jose brought together conversations on values-driven leadership, AI and innovation, and finding purpose in your passions. Fellows then closed out the program with the Community Project Showcase, presenting their ideas for how the evolving Korean American community can build greater trust and create collective impact. “Teach Me Halmeoni” received this year’s Community Project Award and will present their project at the 2026 CKA Envision Summit to continue building momentum for the initiative.
Twenty years after NetKAL began, the network continues to grow with a new cohort ready to put their leadership into action and help shape what comes next for the Korean American community.
👉 View more photos on our Flickr page
Interested in a future cohort? Applications for NetKAL XV will open later this year. Complete this interest form to receive updates and learn more about CKA’s leadership development fellowship.
Emerging Leaders Fellowship Connects the Next Generation with Korean American Changemakers
This summer, the inaugural cohort of CKA’s Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) completed a 10-week leadership incubator designed to strengthen the pipeline of future Korean American leaders. Through immersive field experiences in New York City (July 9-12) and Washington, D.C. (August 7-9), fellows connected with accomplished Korean American leaders across healthcare, government, national security, entrepreneurship, media, philanthropy, mental health, public policy, community service, and the culinary arts.
Throughout the fellowship, participants learned from dozens of leaders, including Isabella Park, Dr. Nancy Kwon, Grace Son, Chef Sungchul Shim, Grace Choi, Michelle Lee, Michael Kim, Tim Hwang, Joy Wheeler, Kevin H. Yoo, Chef Sechul Yang, Chef Ellen Lee, Andrew Yeo, Joo Chung, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Michael Siegl, Chef Danny Lee, Susan Go, Hannah Y. Kim, Becky Shin, Jinny Lee, Dr. Suzan Song, Jeanie Y. Chang, Ji-Young Cho, and many more.
Fellows also built lasting relationships with CKA members and NetKAL alumni, participated in leadership workshops and community service projects in both cities, and concluded the program with the CKA x 38 North and NextGen Roundtable exploring the future of Korean American leadership.
The 2026 fellowship has now concluded, marking the completion of CKA’s inaugural Emerging Leaders Fellowship cohort. We look forward to following these emerging leaders as they continue building careers of service and impact!
👉 View more photos from New York, Washington DC, NextGen Roundtable Sessions, and CKA x 38th Event!
Interested in the 2027 program? Join the interest list to be among the first to hear when applications open.
