Year of Transformation. As we begin 2025, the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) commemorated Seollal—welcoming the Year of the Snake with hopes for renewal and growth—and reflected on the two decades since Korean American Day (January 13th) was officially recognized by the U.S. Congress. We also marked January with a New Year Membership Reception and our annual CKA quarterly board meeting in San Francisco, where CKA’s new Board Chair Soo Kim Venkatesan and Executive Director Abraham Kim shared the organization’s new strategic priorities for impactful growth. Meanwhile, CKA Member Jason Moon elevated our community’s visibility in the Pacific Northwest by securing resolutions for Korean American Day in both the City of Mukilteo and Snohomish County (Washington state).
We also pause to remember the life and legacy of CKA Member & NetKAL Mentor Timothy Haahs, who recently passed away. Below, we pay tribute to his impact on our community.
Read on to learn more about these events and other inspiring updates shaping ourYear of Transformation.
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of CKA member Timothy Haahs on December 26, 2024. Tim was a visionary business leader, accomplished engineer, renowned faith leader, and dedicated mentor.
As the founder of Timothy Haahs & Associates, he made a lasting impact through his professional work and commitment to serving others. He was a generous leader within the Korean American community, mentoring many, including the Network for Korean American Leaders (NetKAL) fellows during the early years of this fellowship program.
Our heartfelt condolences to Tim’s family, friends, and all who mourn this loss. Please click the buttons below for more information about Tim’s life and his recent memorial service.
Jason Moon Leads the City of Mukilteo and Snohomish County in Recognizing Korean American Day
City of Mukilteo Councilmember Jason Moon played a pivotal role in celebrating Korean American Day by successfully passing resolutions for both the city of Mukilteo and Snohomish County. Snohomish County is home to the second largest Korean American population in Washington state, making the event particularly significant. Moon’s efforts highlight the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of Korean Americans in the community.
Julie Kim Will Succeed Christophe Weber as CEO of Takeda in June 2026
Takeda announced that its Board of Directors made the decision unanimously to appoint Julie Kim, currently president of Takeda’s U.S. Business Unit, as the successor to Christophe Weber, Takeda’s president, chief executive officer (CEO) and representative director, when Mr. Weber retires from the company in June 2026.
Julie Kim Inspires New Citizens at JFK Presidential Library
Julie Kim, President of the U.S. Business Unit at Takeda, recently addressed 197 new American citizens at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Drawing on themes of growth and transformation, she urged them to embrace their newfound choices and responsibilities.
Dr. Ryan S. Lee Starts New Role with CVS/Aetna as Dental Director of New Jersey
In January 2025, Dr. Ryan S. Lee started a new position with CVS/Aetna as Dental Director, while maintaining his academic position as Chief Dental Officer at Caring Health Center (Springfield, MA). He also continues his role in the military, currently serving as Lieutenant Colonel, Comprehensive Dentist Officer (63B), U.S. Army Reserve, Fort Devens, MA.
Renee Lee Joins U.S. Embassy in Seoul
Renee joined the Political Section at U.S. Embassy Seoul in July after more than a decade serving the Department of State in Washington. A career Civil Servant, Renee is temporarily appointed as a Foreign Service Officer as part of the Department of State’s Overseas Development Program. She and her family will be in Seoul for several years.
Jeanie Y. Chang, LMFT Launches her own Mental Health Advice Column with The Korea Daily (JoongAng Ilbo USA)
Jeanie Chang is pioneering a mental health advice column titled ‘Dear Noona’s Noonchi’ for The Korea Daily (JoongAng Ilbo USA) headquartered in Atlanta! ‘Dear Noona’s Noonchi’ is a monthly column which is written in both Korean and English. Jeanie’s hope is to make a greater impact in the Korean community, both nationally and globally in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness. Her desire is to promote more conversations among Koreans on mental health and mental illness for intergenerational health and healing.
Dan Cho Presides over the Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL) Conference in LA
As President of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL), Dan Cho presided over the annual conference held in Los Angeles, CA. The conference included plenary remarks by CA Secretary of State Shirley Weber, LA Mayor Karen Bass, former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean, and UCLA Professor of Law Rick Hasen. COGEL is the premier professional organization for government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, good government groups, and public/private entities including universities and law firms working in the fields of campaign finance, elections, ethics, freedom of information, and lobbying.
Marking Two Decades of Korean American Day
On January 13, CKA and the Korea Economic Institute of America hosted an event honoring two decades since the U.S. Congress officially recognized January 13 as Korean American Day. This day commemorates and honors the pioneers who arrived from Korea on January 13, 1903, and the many contributions Korean Americans have since made to the United States. Attendees enjoyed a thought-provoking conversation with authors Dave Gibbons and Jane Hyun, moderated by Eun Yang of NBC4. Together, we explored the evolving Korean American identity, what it truly means to be a leader, and how to navigate today’s times of transformation.
Following the main program, CKA hosted a private reception at Mandu, the acclaimed restaurant of Chef Danny Lee, where members and guests continued the celebration. Conversations deepened around the legacy of Korean American Day and our ongoing efforts to raise the visibility and impact of the community.
As we usher in a Year of Transformation, CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim began January in Washington, D.C. by participating in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders’ (WHIAANHPI) final event, “A Community of Partnerships,” on January 10. This convening celebrated the strength and resilience of the AANHPI community and recognized leaders, advocates, and allies who helped fulfill WHIAANHPI’s historic mandate. Abe also welcomed newly elected Korean American Congressman David Min to Washington, D.C.
On January 13, Abe spoke at CKA’s Korean American Day Program, co-hosted with the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI), marking the 20th anniversary of January 13 being recognized by the U.S. Congress as Korean American Day.
Abe then traveled to San Francisco for CKA’s New Year Membership Reception and participated in the January CKA quarterly board meeting. With new Board Chair Soo Kim Venkatesan, Abe shared with San Francisco – Bay Area members at the reception about CKA’s strategic priorities for 2025. The event also featured CKA Member and Bar Association of San Francisco President Charles Jung, who spoke to the distinguished audience about his impactful civic engagement work and how to amplify the AAPI voice in our cities and across the nation.