The Emerging Leaders Summit and IgniteNextGen Series are presented in partnership by the Council of Korean Americans and the Korean American Coalition – Los Angeles.
Jeanie Chang
Licensed Mental Health Clinician and Founder of Your Change Provider, PLLC
Jeanie Chang is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is passionate about effectively serving individuals, couples, and families by promoting a solution-focused and multicultural competency approach in the home, schools, and workplace. She is an accomplished national speaker; leading workshops in corporate and in the school system on mindfulness, self-care, and wellness. She also facilitates skills groups and provides psychoeducation for adolescents and families through various organizations around the country.
Alpin Hong
Internationally Renowned Concert Pianist and Music Education Advocate
Alpin Hong’s skillful combination of technique, emotional range, and unique humor is able to captivate audiences with a single performance. In addition to his musical talents, Alpin is an internationally renowned speaker and host. He is regularly featured as a keynote speaker for philanthropic and educational events, including the Korean American Scholarship Foundation’s National Gala and the Council of Korean American’s Empower Summit.
Samuel Hyun
Executive Director, Korean-American Citizens League and Massachusetts Asian-American Commissioner
Aside from his recent appointment to the Massachusetts Asian-American Commission as a Commissioner, Sam had worked for Massachusetts House Speaker, Robert DeLeo for the previous four years. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Brandeis University’s Heller School, while serving as the Chair of Social Justice for the MPPSA. Sam also serves as the Executive Director for the Korean-American Citizens League. He has previously spoken on a number of panels and been a keynote speaker to various groups on a wide range of issues.
Esther Jung
Program Coordinator, Korean American Coalition - Los Angeles
Esther Jung specializes in planning and organizing the programs and services as Program Coordinator at the Korean American Coalition – Los Angeles. Previously, Esther has worked in both the public and private sector in Washington, DC including the DC Mayor’s Office, United Nations Association and a bi-partisan lobbying firm. She graduated with honors from American University studying International Service with a focus in development and human rights. Esther’s experiences gave her a deepened appreciation for non-profit work which seeks to improve the quality of life for her community one program at a time. In her spare time, Esther loves to enjoy the simple joys in life sipping on a cup of coffee under the California sun.
Jerry Kang
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UCLA
Vice Chancellor Jerry Kang graduated magna cum laude from both Harvard College (physics) and Harvard Law School. A leading scholar on implicit bias and the law, Vice Chancellor Kang regularly collaborates with leading experimental social psychologists on wide-ranging scholarly, educational, and advocacy projects. He’s won numerous teaching awards, including the law school Rutter Award and the University-wide Distinguished Teaching Award (Eby Art of Teaching). Vice Chancellor Kang speaks widely across the country to law firms, corporations, judges, and government agencies on the challenges of implicit bias and how to counter them.
Monica Kang
Innovation and Leadership Consultant and Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox
Monica Kang is a creative educator who is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. As the Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox®, her deepest satisfaction comes from seeing individuals realize their full potential and talents through creativity. Through her innovative workshops, consulting, products, and curriculum, Monica teaches creativity in a tangible, practical, and relatable way regardless of industry or job title. Monica is a recognized thought leader in creative leadership and education. She has worked with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits.
Abraham Kim, Ph.D.
Executive Coach and Executive Director, Council of Korean Americans
Abraham Kim, Ph.D., is the Executive Director at the Council of Korean Americans (CKA). He comes to CKA with 20 years of experience in foreign policy analyses, leadership development and innovation consulting. Previously, Dr. Kim served as Executive Director at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center located on the campus of the University of Montana, where he oversaw 50 staff, faculty and affiliates. During Dr. Kim’s tenure, the Center became one of the foremost U.S.-Asia policy and leadership development institutes in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies region.
Chil Kong
Artistic Director, Adventure Theater MTC
Chil Kong has a long award-winning career with major theater companies across Boston, San Diego, Seattle, and L.A. and is currently the only Korean American artistic director of a major theater company in the United States. Chil Kong is also an actor and producer, known for The Mikado Project (2010), The Gambler (2014) and The Oh-Malleys in Daddy’s My Mercedes (2008).
Eunice Song
Executive Director, Korean American Coalition - Los Angeles
Eunice leads KAC-LA, a nonprofit organization established to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. As the Executive Director, she manages numerous programs in Civic Engagement; Alternative Dispute Resolution; and Leadership Development. Ms. Song received her Juris Doctor from the two-year accelerated SCALE program from Southwestern Law School. Prior to that, Ms. Song received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Riverside.
