Building What Comes Next.
As I step into the role of President during CKA’s 15th year, it’s been exhilarating to meet with many of you who care so deeply about this community and reflect together on what comes next. This moment is not about starting over or rebuilding, CKA 2.0 is about going deeper into what we know differentiates CKA’s value.
As the only national organization of Korean American leaders from all walks of life, I believe we are most effective when we invest in leadership!
Intentional leadership development at every level. Leaders learning together. Leaders holding each other accountable. Our mission has always pointed here, now we can make it more actionable and therefore impactful. CKA develops, connects and mobilizes Korean American leaders in order to strengthen our community’s national voice and influence. That’s our what and our how, in service of the why we’ve always shared. Each and every CKA member is a catalyst in this leadership network and we can’t wait to have you more involved!
Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing CKA’s mission from the inside and seen our programs bring leadership alive already. In the Impact Academy. In every NetKAL cohort that begins with the same hunger as the first, twenty years ago. In our Emerging Leaders as our students find their first voices as young leaders. This October in Los Angeles, we’ll deepen it further at the 2026 Envision Gala & Summit — and launch a NextGen Summit for Korean American leaders ages 18-29.
None of this happens without you continuing to show up for this community with generosity, partnership, mentorship, and belief in what Korean American leadership can accomplish. I’m grateful and honored to build on this incredible foundation alongside our members, board and staff, and am excited for what comes next together.
With warm regards,
Angela Sungmee Killoren
President
Council of Korean Americans (CKA)
Join Our Milestone Event in Los Angeles
As we carry the momentum of AAPI Heritage Month into the summer, we’re looking ahead to one of the biggest gatherings of Korean American leaders next year: the 2026 CKA Envision Gala & Summit in Los Angeles.
Taking place October 23–24, this milestone event will celebrate 15 years of CKA, 20 years of NetKAL, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Guided by the theme “Our Evolving Community,” this multi-day experience will bring together leaders from across industries for connection, celebration, and community-building in the heart of the largest Korean community outside of Korea.
New in 2026 ⤵️
CKA will also launch the inaugural NextGen Summit. It’s a full day of programming designed for students, recent graduates, and young professionals. The Summit will focus on building stronger connections across sectors and generations through mentorship, interactive workshops, coaching, and community-building sessions. If you are between 18-29, or would like to mentor emerging leaders, save the date and get ready for more information in the coming months.
Whether you are a Korean American leader or partner working alongside Asian American communities, this is a gathering you won’t want to miss.
Interested in partnering with CKA for this landmark event? 👋 Sponsorship opportunities are now available. View our sponsorship packet here.
Korean Americans Lead Through Public Service, Scholarship, and Storytelling
CKA Members Suzan Song, Ed Han, Jieun Baek, and Jason Moon are elevating Korean American leadership through civic service, public scholarship, and national conversations shaping law, policy, and healing.
- Suzan Song was recently featured in Oprah Daily, NPR’s KQED, and Washingtonian discussing themes from her new book, Why We Suffer and How We Heal, including ritual, family narrative, and social connection during times of instability.
- Ed Han was installed as the 46th President of the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California, becoming a leading voice for one of the region’s most impactful Korean American legal organizations.
- Jieun Baek joined Victor Cha on CSIS’s The Impossible State podcast to discuss her newest book, Privileged but Powerless, exploring how the hidden grievances of North Korea’s elite may expose deeper vulnerabilities within the regime.
- Jason Moon was appointed to the National League of Cities’ 2026 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Federal Advocacy Committee, where he will help shape policy conversations around sustainability, infrastructure, and resilient communities nationwide.
These accomplishments reflect the growing impact of Korean Americans across civic leadership, media, policy, and thought leadership.
Korean American Community in the Spotlight at Frieze New York
Frieze New York returned May 2026 with more than 65 galleries from around the world, continuing its role as one of the art world’s leading international fairs.
During Frieze week, CKA co-hosted the Frieze Seoul 2026 VIP Cocktail Reception at Oiji Mi, bringing together artists, curators, gallery leaders, CKA team members, CKA members, and supporters to celebrate the growing influence of Korean and Korean American voices in the global art world. The evening was hosted alongside leaders from Tina Kim Gallery and Kukje Gallery, with support from host committee members Peter Kahng, Irene Kim, Ellia Park, Alice Sareen, Jumee Song, and Salle Yoo.
In the news:
- Galerie Magazine highlighted Pacita Abad’s Door Connects Me to the Greatest Happiness I Have (1999), presented by CKA Board Member Tina Kim and Tina Kim Gallery, as one of the standout works to experience at this year’s fair.
- Observer highlighted the strong presence of Korean galleries at Frieze, including Kukje Gallery and Tina Kim Gallery’s presentations of artists such as Lee ShinJa, Suki Seokyeong Kang, Maia Ruth Lee, and Pio Abad.
- Frieze’s official coverage reported strong sales and collector interest at both Tina Kim Gallery and Kukje Gallery, reflecting continued global momentum surrounding Korean and Asian diasporic artists.
Korean American Leaders and Storytellers Featured at TAAF Heritage Month Summit
More than 1,000 leaders gathered in New York City on May 14-15, 2026 for The Asian American Foundation’s 2026 Heritage Month Summit, a major convening focused on AAPI leadership, storytelling, and community impact. CKA President Angela Killoren, CKA Vice President Linda Butcher, and CKA Director of Programming Monica H. Kang attended alongside CKA members Andrew Park, Nari Kye, Abraham Kim, Michelle L., Sam Hyun, John Lee, Sue Kim, Sandra Schubert, and Grace Choi, as well as NetKAL XIV Fellow Julia Chon.
Representation at the event:
- CKA Member Joseph Bae, Co-CEO of KKR and Board Co-Chair of TAAF, helped lead the summit as one of the most prominent Korean American business leaders in finance today.
- Third State Books, founded by CKA Member Charles Kim, participated as a featured vendor at the event, bringing Korean American literature and storytelling into the summit experience.
- Korean American voices were featured throughout the summit, including Daniel Dae Kim, Chriselle Lim, Min Jin Lee, Juju Chang, Jeanne Yang, and Joseph Bae, reflecting the growing influence of Korean Americans across industries and culture.
Please join us in celebrating Linda Butcher as she concludes her chapter as Vice President of CKA. We are immensely grateful for the dedication and leadership she has given to the CKA community over the last four years.
As Linda steps into an exciting new role as the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Bread for the World to continue to pursue her work in the nonprofit sector, we send her our fondest farewell and best wishes for her continued success.
Thank you, Linda, for everything!