Korean American Perspectives

This episode features a conversation with Paul Kim, the Founder and Principal of LaSalle Asset Management, CEO and Managing Partner of Aventis Asset Management, and Founder and Partner of 2DS Productions in Chicago. Moderated by CKA President Abraham Kim, this conversation was recorded as part of Mr. Kim’s Honoree recognition at the 2024 CKA Envision Gala and Summit. Mr. Kim was honored for his business accomplishments and humanitarian efforts to aid and fund community development projects in North America, Asia, and Africa. Paul Kim is the founder and managing partner of LaSalle Asset Management, a proprietary trading firm focused on agricultural commodities. Previously, Mr. Kim was involved in the futures industry for 38 years, first as a trader for Cargill Inc. and then as the first Asian American independent floor trader at the Chicago Board of Trade. From 2000 to 2020 he founded and managed two funds, LaSalle and Aventis Asset Management. In 1996, he started a foundation called International Outreach Council, non-profit acting as a “venture capitalist” for Christian based organizations serving in the US and the “10/40 window”. He is also the founder and managing partner of Providence Pictures, a production company focused on creating content for the entertainment industry. Since 2013 Mr. Kim has focused on serving the Korean American community via his activities through the Council of Korean Americans. 

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features a conversation with veteran nurse and elder care pioneer Sue Song, featured on HLAG’s Elderly Care Series hosted by the CKA Health and Life Sciences Affinity Group. Moderated by HLAG co-chair Andrew Kim, this discussion explored how Ms. Song is revolutionizing Korean American elder care in the United States. Sue Song is the Administrator of Golden Living for Korean Seniors, Director of Life Renewal Mental Health Services, and Commissioner for Long-Term Care Administrators of the State of Maryland. She has spent decades as a nurse and educator on long-term elder care, focusing on mental health and innovative solutions for retirees who want to keep their independence and cultural identity.

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features a conversation with Founding Chairman & CEO of Kizan International Bill Kim. Mr. Kim was one of the esteemed honorees at the 2024 CKA Envision Gala and Summit in recognition of his trailblazing business career, as well as his extraordinary contributions to philanthropy and support for Korean art and culture in the U.S. Born in South Korea, Bill Kim came to America in 1964 at the age of 17. Mr. Kim got his start working manual labor, gardening and dishwashing to support himself while attending community college. His entrepreneurial instincts led him to sell wigs, and despite limited English skills his determination and willingness to act brought him financial success. He eventually founded Kizan International which has grown to one of the largest men’s clothing companies in the U.S. Mr. Kim is a strong advocate and supporter of philanthropic giving and joined the board of Give2Asia in 2003, and served as the Board Chairman from 2007 to 2010. He is passionate about supporting Korean art and culture in the US, serving as a commissioner/trustee of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco since 1999.

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Eddie Ahn, Executive Director at Brightline Defense, artist, and writer of the national bestselling graphic novel Advocate. Mr. Ahn sits down with CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim to discuss his passion for graphic storytelling, his experiences leading an environmental nonprofit, and the impact of his work with underserved communities. Eddie Ahn has been an environmental justice attorney and nonprofit worker for fifteen years. While working as the executive director of Brightline Defense, a San Francisco–based environmental justice nonprofit, he was inducted into the State of California’s Clean Energy Hall of Fame for his work in equity and clean energy. In addition to his nonprofit work, he has served as president of the San Francisco Commission on the Environment as well as a commissioner on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Conservation and Development Commission. He is a self-taught artist who has been recognized as a Cartoonist-in-Residence by the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa.

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features a conversation with Songyee Yoon, a leading venture investor and strategic advisor recognized for her early and insightful bets on artificial intelligence and frontier technologies. Known for her deep understanding of both technological inflection points and global market dynamics, Songyee brings decades of experience at the intersection of AI, systems design, and product innovation. Moderated by CKA Board members Lisa Yang and Catharina Min, this conversation was part of a Women’s Affinity Group webinar series presented by CKA in 2024. Songyee Yoon is the founder and managing partner of Principal Venture Partners (PVP), a Silicon Valley-based early-stage venture firm focused on AI-native companies. Her early investment in iconic startups including Together.ai, Cartesia, and Sesame, earned her a reputation for identifying companies that will define the next generation of technological infrastructure. As president and chief strategy officer of NCSOFT, she led the company’s AI transformation and oversaw strategic investments and partnerships across North America and Asia. In addition to her investing work, Songyee advises on the future of AI policy and ethics as a member of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI (HAI) advisory council and Harvard University’s Generative AI initiative. She is also a member of the MIT Corporation and a trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and HP Inc. She served on the Presidential Advisory Council for Science and Technology in South Korea under two presidents. Songyee was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, elected to the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, and recognized among the Wall Street Journal's 50 Women to Watch in Business. Her recent book, Push Play, explores how “play” acts as a driver of innovation across disciplines—from gaming to medicine to artificial intelligence.  

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Raymond John, CEO and founder of 12+, a nonprofit organization committed to increasing educational equity by transforming school culture and supporting students beyond high school. In this inspiring conversation with Abraham Kim, President and CEO of the Council of Korean Americans, Raymond shares his journey to change the lives of thousands of Pennsylvania students. A child of Korean immigrants, Raymond John was raised in Northern Virginia and initially pursued medicine before discovering his passion for community service. His transformative experience volunteering with youth led him to create 12 Plus, which provides daily, in-school support to help students succeed beyond high school. In 2018, Raymond and partner Thu Pham founded Càphê Roasters, the first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster in Philadelphia. A portion of the profits is donated to 12 Plus, and regularly employs students from partner schools – offering them a positive workspace that fosters a learning culture that focuses on personal and professional development.

In the third episode of our season, we sit down with Dave Gibbons—pastor, author, and social innovator—for a deeply moving conversation rooted in his newly released memoir, The Shape of My Eyes: A Memoir of Race, Faith, and Finding Myself. What begins as a personal reckoning with trauma, identity, and estrangement unfolds into a powerful story of forgiveness, healing, and purpose. Dave opens up about confronting family secrets, processing personal tragedy, and navigating anxiety and spiritual awakening. Through it all, he shares how these experiences shaped his journey into leadership, ministry, and writing—offering wisdom for anyone walking through pain, seeking belonging, or trying to live authentically in turbulent times. Dave Gibbons started his career in the founding of Newsong Church, which soon became one of the fastest growing churches in America, serving thousands of congregants in a multisite format. Sensing that spirituality should not be limited to the confines of a building, he expanded his focus to the marketplace, founding multiple companies and serving as senior advisor to some of the most influential leaders in numerous domains. His clients have included NBA and NFL players, multi-billion dollar fund managers, a New York Times best selling author and platinum selling rapper, a world-leading performance artist, and the CEO of one of Hollywood’s largest film studios.  

The second episode of our season features an engaging live conversation with award-winning Korean American chefs Beverly Kim and Danny Lee, moderated by Edward Lee. Edward Lee is the celebrity chef and star of Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, Beverly Kim is a James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner of Anelya and Parachute HiFi in Chicago, and Danny Lee is acclaimed chef and restaurateur behind celebrated Washington, D.C. restaurant group The Fried Rice Collective. This fireside chat, held at the National Museum of Art, delves into the chefs' inspiring journeys and their innovative approaches to elevating Korean flavors in their culinary creations. This is more than a conversation about food—it’s a powerful dialogue about representation, creativity, and the evolving voice of Koreans in America.  

A fireside chat with JoAnne Bass, the former 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to become the highest senior enlisted leader in any U.S. military service. Moderated by CKA Board Member Debbie Shon, this live conversation was presented at the 2024 Envision Summit held in Washington, D.C. “JO” Bass grew up as a military child both stateside and overseas but calls Mililani, Oahu, Hawaii, home. The daughter of a Korean mother and a retired U.S. Army warrant officer, she enlisted in the Air Force in 1993, specializing in aviation resource management. Over her three-decade career, she shaped the development of hundreds of thousands of Airmen, championed readiness, and resilience of the force, and strengthened the connection between the military and the nation it serves. Since retiring, she continues to drive impact as a strategic advisor, executive coach, and national security expert, helping leaders across sectors meet today’s most complex challenges.

We welcome you to Season 4 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, brought to you by the Council of Korean Americans (CKA). Our podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Korean American leaders and changemakers across various sectors, including corporate, media, and political arenas. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a distinguished guest, exploring their unique journey and the broader topics that connect to their stories. This introductory episode is a brief description about what is in store for Season 4. Stay tuned!

Our seventh and final episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Jennifer Koh, Internationally-Acclaimed Violinist and Founder & Artistic Director of ARCO Collaborative. To speak with her, we have world-class concert pianist and music educator Alpin Hong as our guest host.   In this interview, Ms. Koh shares with us her many musical accomplishments as a gifted violinist and how her own family history and Chicago upbringing have shaped her tireless efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the arts.   Join us as our distinguished guests candidly discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performing arts community and explore Ms. Koh’s newly commissioned works which bring together women and other artists of color to tell their stories.

In our sixth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Marshall Cho, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Lake Oswego High School.   In this interview, Marshall recounts how an early career in teaching coupled with a childhood love of sports first introduced him to the world of coaching. Later, he describes his endeavors in Mozambique where he participated in high-profile international basketball programs with the NBA and Nike before returning to the States to coach players at the high school, college, and national level.   Join us as Marshall shares with us his coaching philosophy on leading with authenticity and focusing on core values which extend not only to his career but also to his life and family.

In our fifth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, we speak with Debbie Shon, Chief Strategy Officer of USA Gymnastics, legal and political advisor, NBA registered agent, and Vice Chair of the Smithsonian National Asian Pacific American Center.   Debbie Shon is a third-generation Korean American and a woman of many firsts. In this interview, she shares with us her fond memories of growing up on USC’s campus, the towering influence of her mother, and the detours in her career that turned into surprising opportunities in law, politics, sports, and advocacy.   As we track through Debbie’s multifaceted career, she encourages young people to follow their bliss and calls upon the Korean American community to push the envelope. Much of this ethos is also reflected in her work with the Smithsonian where she believes that Asian Americans need to have their voices heard for the sake of their past, present, and future.

In our fourth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, we sit down with Dow Kim, a former leading Wall Street financier, philanthropist, and loving father.   In this interview, we discuss how Dow leverages his talents and love for finance, his tenure at Merrill Lynch & Co, and his philanthropy work as the President of the Dow Kim Family Foundation.   Join us as we explore the life of successful financier and philanthropist, Dow Kim. We dig deep into his life and ask key questions: What was the secret behind his meteoric career in finance? Why is he focusing his philanthropy to help the Korean American community? Why does he hope many more Korean Americans will give back to their community?

Our third episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Tammy Kim, Vice Mayor of the City of Irvine and Founder & Managing Director of the Korean American Center in California.   In this interview, we explore Tammy’s successful career path as a former Fortune 500 company executive, nonprofit leader, and now Vice Mayor. Despite her career success and achievements, Tammy shares with us the challenges and adversity she faces all the way from early in her life as a college student to now as an elected official.   As we listen to Tammy’s family immigration journey to Flint, Michigan, her career in talent acquisition and nonprofit, and now her political career as Vice Mayor, Tammy reminds us that it is our own duty to lay the groundwork to combat racial adversity.

Our second episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Chang-Rae Lee, a celebrated Korean American novelist. To speak with him, we have guest host, Stephanie Han, Ph.D. who is an award-winning author, educator, and speaker.   In this episode, Chang-Rae Lee and Dr. Stephanie Han take a deep dive into his latest novel, My Year Abroad. They explore the novel’s themes, its colorful characters, and adventures, as well as how food plays a role in Chang-Rae’s writing. They also connect the novel with the Asian American experience and discuss how identity formation is very particular to each person as well as the myriad of complexities and questions it presents.   Chang-Rae Lee reminds us that it’s important to take risks, journey throughout the world, and ask questions especially when discovering oneself.    Donate at https://councilka.org/donate Listen to past episodes at https://councilka.org/podcast-series

Our first episode of Season Three of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Steve Park, the Founder and Executive Director of Little Lights Urban Ministries here in Washington, D.C.   Since its founding in 1995, Steve Park dedicates his time and energy to serving those especially in need within the African American community. However, it was not always a walk in the park for Steve. In this interview, Steve paints a picture of his upbringing as a Korean immigrant, his transformation from being a devout atheist, the founding of Little Lights, and the work he currently does today during the global pandemic.   As we delve into his work in racial reconciliation and his Race Literacy 101 class, Steve reminds us how Korean Americans can do better and play a significant role in the national conversations around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI).   Donate at https://councilka.org/donate Listen to past episodes at https://councilka.org/podcast-series

We’re glad to be back with Season Three of our podcast, Korean American Perspectives.   This season, we’re introducing three new initiatives. First, we will be bringing in Korean American leaders within the Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Sports (ACES) space. Second, we will introduce discussions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) by bringing in subject matter experts and other Korean American leaders dedicated to this work.   Lastly, we are introducing a new video format so that you can both listen and see who are our guests. This means that our the Korean American Perspectives Podcast will be available on all podcast platforms as well as the CKA YouTube channel.    We are kicking off the season with Steve Park who is the Founder and Executive Director of Little Lights Urban Ministries as well as last year’s recipient of the CKA Embrace Unity Award.   With social distancing still in effect, this will be a great time for you to not only listen to our revamped podcast but also send us feedback or interviewee suggestions at podcast@councilka.org.   As always, we’re sending all of our love to you and your family and we wish you safety, health, and also a bit of sanity.   Donate at https://councilka.org/donate Listen to past episodes at https://councilka.org/podcast-series

Our eleventh and final episode of Korean American Perspectives features Dr. Stephanie Han, award-winning author of Swimming in Hong Kong. Many of us grew up reading books and novels, often very strongly identifying with the characters or stories we grew up with. But it’s difficult when we don’t see ourselves represented in books or literature, and for many Asian American writers and authors, it’s intimidating to be the first. Stephanie tells us that we must be brave and make that leap, both for ourselves and for others in our communities. Stephanie Han is a 3rd-generation Korean American award-winning writer. She shares great insights into how we can teach ourselves and our children to enjoy reading books, practice how we write and develop our inner voices, and explore what it truly means to be Korean American. Stephanie’s story is inspiring to future writers, parents of young readers, literary enthusiasts, and anyone who is curious about how our identities are shaped.

This week’s episode of Korean American Perspectives features Eugene Cho, Founder and Visionary of One Day’s Wages and President-Elect of Bread for the World.   You can’t talk about the Korean American community without mentioning faith and spirituality. For many of us growing up in immigrant families, the church often served as the bedrock that grounded our Korean American society here in the United States. Pastors would serve dual-purpose as family counselors, social workers, language interpreters, and more. Even today, the church continues to play a critical role in the health and welfare of the Korean American immigrant community.   My guest today is Reverend Eugene Cho, a 1.5 generation Korean American pastor, inspirational speaker, author, and humanitarian. A man of many passions, Eugene has traveled the world to speak with churches, nonprofits, leaders, justice workers all across the world. From founding the influential Quest Church in Seattle during a major recession to leading a global grassroots movement to alleviate extreme global poverty through his nonprofit, One Day’s Wages, Eugene’s incredible story shows us how all of us can take part in changing the world for the better.