Leadership in Every Lane. This June, CKA focused on growing and uplifting Korean American leaders—across industries, across generations, and across the country.
We offered a restorative space for nonprofit leaders through our third annual Empower Retreat in Montana, designed as a much-needed respite for the first responders of our community. We continued our 2025 Emerging Leaders Mentorship Series with a successful in-person event in D.C. and a live webinar on building a personal brand. We also celebrate the literary return of CKA Member Ed Park, whose upcoming story collection, An Oral History of Atlantis, is already making waves across the country.
CKA leadership remained active nationwide: strengthening partnerships, planning for the 2025 CKA Envision Gala and Summit, and building momentum for the second half of the year.
Read on to see how CKA and our members are leading with purpose, creating space for growth, and driving impact in every lane.
Join the CKA Health and Life Sciences Affinity Group Webinar:
Elderly Care Series Part II
Caring for aging parents is a deeply personal journey — and one that can be confusing, emotional, and burdensome.
Join us on July 17 for a free, one-hour webinar, hosted by the CKA Health and Life Sciences Affinity Group (HLAG). This session will feature Bennett Kim, Founder and CEO of ZNest, a digital platform that is transforming how families discover and evaluate senior living options.
This webinar is for those navigating care decisions or interested in healthcare, entrepreneurship, and aging-related innovation. We look forward to seeing you there!
Ed Park Returns with New Story Collection, An Oral History of Atlantis
CKA Member Ed Park is back with a highly anticipated new release: An Oral History of Atlantis, his debut story collection, arriving July 29. Following the Pulitzer Prize-finalist Same Bed Different Dreams, Park’s latest work is already generating major buzz.
The Atlantic calls the book “mind-opening,” while a starred review from Publishers Weekly praises its “provocative ideas, strange occurrences, and gripping plots,” noting Park “pays tribute to the legacy of Kurt Vonnegut in the best ways.” The collection features subtly connected stories that blend humor, speculative fiction, and emotional insight—exploring everything from cult literary editors to FedEx couriers who moonlight as sci-fi writers.
This summer, Ed will bring the book to readers across the country with events in New York, D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco
Michael Yang Presents his Motorcycle Trip to Alaska and Patagonia
The Adventurer’s Club of Los Angeles, co-founded by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1911, invited Michael Yang to present his solo motorcycle adventure trip to Alaska and Patagonia. Michael presented over 150 photos and videos of his adventure motorcycle travel across North and South America and his reflections on life. His memoir is scheduled to be released in March 2026.
Andrew Yeo Offers Commentary on South Korea’s Presidential Election and U.S.-Korea Alliance
Andrew Yeo, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, provided expert commentary following South Korea’s June 3 presidential election. In his piece, What South Korea’s presidential election means for the U.S.-Korea alliance, Yeo explored the potential implications of President Lee Jae-myung’s leadership for the future of U.S.-Korea relations.
Bobby Cho’s Gotham FC Crowned Champions of Inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup
Gotham FC became the first winner of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, defeating Mexico’s UANL Tigres, 1-0. The inaugural CONCACAF W Champions Cup is meant to crown the greatest team in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Thanks to yet another clutch Esther González goal in the 82nd minute, that title came home with Gotham. The win in this tournament guarantees Gotham a spot in two inaugural international competitions – the 2026 FIFA Champions Club and the 2028 FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
Dan Koh Launches New Media Platform and Podcast, “The People’s Cabinet”
Dan Koh, former Biden White House Deputy Cabinet Secretary, has launched a new media platform and podcast, “The People’s Cabinet.” Its goal is to cut through the noise and explain the top issues facing the country today and present an alternative vision for government at its best. It is available anywhere you get your podcasts and on YouTube.
Ed Han Joins Theodora Oringher as Senior Attorney
After three years as a lecturer at UCLA School of Law, Ed Han has returned to private practice as a senior attorney at Theodora Oringher in Los Angeles. He will focus on high-stakes commercial litigation. Prior to academia, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney for seven years. He remains an active in the military, currently serving Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Jessica Shim Joins Global PR & Communications Agency in Seoul
Jessica Shim started a position as VP, Managing Editor for the Content and Strategy team at leading PR & Communications agency Weber Shandwick. She’s now based in Seoul, South Korea after 15 years as a New-York based journalist working at The Wall Street Journal, NBC News and MSNBC.
Philip Kim Joins Comcast as Senior Director for Local Government and Strategic Partnerships
Philip Kim recently began a new role at Comcast as Senior Director for Local Government and Strategic Partnerships, where he will help lead efforts to build strong relationships with local communities and public sector partners.
Junna Ro Featured in Great Women in Compliance Podcast
Junna Ro, who leads strategic legal initiatives at the University of California, joined the Great Women in Compliance podcast to talk about the recent Compliance Week Women in Compliance Summit where she spoke about pathways to board service. Podcast topics included how to frame the impact and business value that compliance & ethics professionals bring to the table, and the importance of representation in leadership and on boards.
Reconnecting and Rejuvenating Nonprofit Leaders at the 2025 Empower Retreat
From June 11–14, CKA welcomed nonprofit executives to Montana for our Third Annual Empower Retreat under the theme Restoration, Rejuvenation, and Reconnection. Designed as a focused “off-the-grid” respite, the retreat gave civic leaders the space to share authentically, reflect on challenges, and build the resilience needed to lead effectively.
As “first responders” to community needs, nonprofit leaders carry immense pressure. This retreat offered a necessary break to restore mental and emotional energy. From powerful conversations led by Lina Park, to a fireside chat with Emil Kang on the value of vulnerability in leadership, guided reflections, and a meaningful discussion with Tom Bansak of Flathead Lake Bio Station on lasting impact, attendees left better equipped to prevent burnout and drive meaningful change.
Attendees represented a wide range of Korean American-led organizations from across the country—spanning education, arts, public policy, direct service, and philanthropy. The experience was made possible through the collaborative leadership of CKA President Abraham Kim and Managing Director Linda Butcher, alongside CKA Member Lina Park, Brennan Gang, CKA Member Timothy Kim, and CKA Member Jennifer Sanderson.
CKA leadership remained engaged across the country this June, from investing in rising leaders and reconnecting with nonprofit change-makers, to building momentum for our biggest events ahead.
In New York and New Jersey, President Abraham Kim and Managing Director Linda Butcher met with key partners to begin preparing for the 2025 CKA Envision Gala and Summit, which will take place in Washington, D.C. this fall.
In Montana, Linda and Membership & Program Manager Angela Cho attended and facilitated CKA’s Empower Retreat for Nonprofit & Civic Leaders, held from June 10–14. This off-the-grid retreat brought together nonprofit leaders from across the country for a week of self and community care, reflection, and meaningful conversation, serving to recharge our community’s changemakers for the work ahead.
In Washington, D.C., CKA and the Korea Economic Institute hosted the first in-person session of the Emerging Leaders Mentorship Series (ELMS) on June 26, bringing together young professionals and tech leaders for an evening of connection, inspiration, and career insight. That same day, Linda represented CKA at a memorial event celebrating the life and legacy of Chairman Charles B. Rangel, a Korean War veteran and co-founder of the Korea Caucus whose leadership left a lasting mark on U.S.–Korea relations.
Online, CKA hosted a live ELMS webinar on June 4 featuring branding expert, CKA Member Jerry Won. Angela attended the session, continuing her leadership of the program as we expand mentorship and career-building opportunities for emerging Korean American leaders.
We are also proud to have welcomed five new CKA Members this month from across the country!