Dear Esteemed CKA Members and Friends,
We are delighted to welcome an exceptional group of 12 new members into the Council of Korean Americans!
This incoming cohort reflects the remarkable depth and diversity of leadership across our community, spanning entrepreneurship, technology, healthcare, media, law, government, philanthropy, faith, and the arts. Collectively, they bring decades of experience, global perspective, and a strong commitment to service, innovation, and impact.
We are thrilled to have these leaders join the CKA community and look forward to the insight, energy, and leadership they will contribute to our programs, initiatives, and broader mission. Their backgrounds and accomplishments underscore the strength of our network and the continued growth of CKA as a convening platform for Korean American leadership across sectors.
Please join us in congratulating our newest members on this important milestone. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of CKA and its work.
Warm regards,
CKA
INTRODUCING OUR NEW CKA MEMBERS
If you are interested in becoming a CKA Member, please submit your member application here. CKA’s Membership Committee reviews these applications every quarter.
Angela Buchdahl
Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue
Angela Buchdahl is the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City and the first woman to lead the congregation in its 180-year history. Under her leadership, Central has grown into the largest synagogue in the world, reaching millions globally through innovative worship and livestream programming. Born in Seoul to a Korean Buddhist mother and an American Jewish father, Rabbi Buchdahl is the first Asian American rabbi in North America. A Yale graduate, she has been nationally recognized for her leadership and has been invited by Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden to participate in White House Hanukkah celebrations. She serves on multiple national boards, and her memoir Heart of a Stranger will be published in 2025.
Paul Chae
Managing Partner, Chae Advisory
Paul Chae is the Managing Partner of Chae Advisory, an executive coaching and advisory firm that supports senior leaders through growth, transition, and reinvention. With more than 35 years of leadership experience across technology, healthcare, consulting, and industrial automation, Paul has held senior roles at companies including Microsoft, Accenture, athenahealth, and CarNow. His approach to leadership was deeply shaped by his recovery from a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, informing his focus on resilience, presence, and authentic leadership. Paul is known for combining strategic insight with deep empathy to help leaders navigate high-stakes professional and personal moments.
Jennifer Han
Founder and Managing Partner, Han Group LLC
Jennifer Han is the Founder and Managing Partner of Han Group LLC, a nonprofit accounting and advisory firm serving local, national, and international organizations. A certified public accountant licensed in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and New York, Jennifer brings deep expertise in nonprofit auditing, tax, financial management, and interim CFO services. She regularly advises boards and audit committees and is a frequent instructor on emerging nonprofit accounting and governance issues. Prior to founding Han Group, Jennifer worked at Ernst & Young and co-founded a regional accounting firm. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from Georgetown University.
Sara Kim
President & CEO, SK Management Consulting
Dr. Sara Kim is President and CEO of SK Management Consulting, a management services organization providing operational, financial, and administrative support to private medical practices. Her work enables physicians to focus on patient care while navigating the complexities of today’s healthcare environment. In addition to overseeing billing, HR, IT, and compliance services, Dr. Kim provides strategic consulting to healthcare organizations seeking sustainable growth and operational excellence. She brings extensive experience in healthcare management and organizational leadership.
Suk Kim
Founder & CEO, Better Path Consulting
Chaplain (Colonel) Suk Kim (U.S. Army, Ret.) is the Founder and CEO of Better Path Consulting, a leadership development practice focused on resilience, self-awareness, and effective communication. After 31 years of distinguished military service, including three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he retired as Command Chaplain for the Defense Information Systems Agency. Chaplain Kim advised senior leaders on ethical leadership, spiritual fitness, and moral decision-making across the Department of Defense. Originally from South Korea, he holds advanced degrees in theology and counseling and continues to support leaders through coaching and mentorship.
James Kyson
CEO, Kyson Productions
James Kyson is the CEO of Kyson Productions and an accomplished actor, poet, and creative entrepreneur. Recognized by BuzzFeed as a Top 10 Asian American Leading Man, he is known for his roles in NBC’s Heroes, HBO’s Lovecraft Country, Netflix’s Yes Day, and Starz’s BMF. Beyond acting, James is a commissioned poet for the LA County Department of Arts and the founder of creative performance initiatives Music & Flow and Chromatic. He is also an arts advocate, philanthropist, and national speaker supporting arts education and social impact.
Julie Lee
Clinical Psychologist & President, Harvard Alumni for Mental Health
Julie Lee, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, higher education leader, and President of Harvard Alumni for Mental Health. Her work focuses on mental health equity, organizational systems, and intergenerational dynamics in the workplace. Dr. Lee has held leadership roles at Harvard University and Brown University and has advised Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups on culture, leadership, and transformation. A nationally recognized expert on Gen Z and workplace issues, she has been featured in major publications including Harvard Business Review, The Washington Post, and Fast Company. She maintains a private clinical practice in Boston and New York.
Eddie Nam
Managing Director, Cornerstone Insurance Services
Eddie Nam is the Managing Director of Cornerstone Insurance Services, the largest Korean-led insurance brokerage in Georgia, providing relationship-driven, culturally fluent services nationwide. Prior to insurance, Eddie spent over a decade in global entertainment as Founder and CEO of EN Management, representing internationally recognized artists and helping bridge K-pop and Western markets. He is also a co-founder of DIVE Studios, a leading media and creative agency with a global fanbase and major institutional backing. Eddie earned his degree from Northeastern University and remains active across entertainment, media, and business leadership.
Arrie Park
Partner & Chief Legal Officer, Hellman & Friedman
Arrie Park is a Partner and Chief Legal Officer at Hellman & Friedman, a leading global private equity firm. She began her career as a corporate M&A attorney at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz before joining Hellman & Friedman, where she has spent over two decades in senior leadership. Arrie serves on the boards of SimpliSafe, the Yale Law School Fund Board, and the American Investment Council. A UCLA and Yale Law School graduate, she is deeply committed to service and leadership, continuing the legacy of her late father, a lifelong advocate for the Korean American community.
Howard Ro
Head of Product for Global Payments, Tesla
Howard Ro is Head of Product for Global Payments at Tesla, where he leads the development of the company’s global payments and fintech ecosystem. With more than 25 years of experience in product and technology leadership, Howard has guided global teams at Tesla and Microsoft, contributing to major platforms including Office 365 and enterprise commerce systems. His expertise spans digital payments, subscriptions, and large-scale product innovation. Howard holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and resides in Seattle with his family.
Wooseok Seo
Co-Founder & CEO, bemyfriends., Inc.
Wooseok Seo is the Co-Founder and CEO of bemyfriends., Inc., a global fandom business platform providing SaaS and IP solutions for creators and brands. With over 20 years of experience across technology, media, and international business, he has launched and scaled platforms in the U.S., Japan, and Korea, partnering with globally recognized entertainment and sports IP. A former HYBE executive, Wooseok specializes in digital transformation, cross-cultural market expansion, and community-driven business models.
Inhi Suh
Board Trustee, Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology
Inhi Cho Suh is an accomplished business and technology leader and a Board Trustee of the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology. She previously served as President of DocuSign and has held senior executive roles at IBM over a 23-year career, leading global software, AI, and SaaS businesses. Inhi currently advises founders building next-generation AI companies and serves on nonprofit boards supporting women in STEM. A Duke University graduate with a law degree from NC Central School of Law, she has been widely recognized for her leadership and impact.