Korean American Perspectives

Beyond the Plate: A Conversation on Cooking, Culture, and Celebrity

In the final episode of our season, host Abraham Kim sits down with the incomparable Kristen Kish—chef, television host, and the recipient of the 2024 Council of Korean Americans’ Inspire Award. Kristen takes us on a journey through her distinctly Midwestern childhood as a Korean adoptee, her path into the culinary world, and the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped her along the way. We hear Kristen reflect on her experiences from culinary school, the humbling realities of starting out in the restaurant industry, and her unexpected foray into the media spotlight as a Top Chef winner and now, host. Kristen also opens up about what it means to carve your own Korean American identity, the importance of vulnerability, and how she’s using her national platform to empower others.

Kristen Kish is a Korean American chef, television host, and restaurateur known for her remarkable culinary journey and dynamic presence on screen. Born in Seoul and adopted into a family in Michigan, she trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago before rising through the ranks in Boston’s fine dining scene. Kish gained national recognition by winning Season 10 of Top Chef, becoming the second woman to earn the title, and in 2023, she was named the show's new host. She is the chef and partner at Arlo Grey in Austin and has hosted and appeared in a range of popular food and travel shows, including Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, Restaurants at the End of the World, and Fast Foodies. Her new memoir Accidentally on Purpose was released earlier this year and is an instant New York Times Bestseller.

Leading with Purpose: A Trailblazing Executive’s Impact on Positive Change, with Paul Kim

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. 

Honoring Our Elders: Revolutionizing Korean American Elder Care

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.

From Vision to Victory: A Korean American Corporate Icon’s Success Story

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.

Illustrating our Story: A Conversation with a Korean American Graphic Novelist and Environmental Justice Warrior

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.

Cracking the Code: A Korean American Pioneer in Tech and Artificial Intelligence

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.

 

Opening Doors: Building Pathways of Hope for Underserved Students

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.

Faith, Leadership, and Legacy: One Man’s Journey to Inspire a Generation, with Dave Gibbons

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.

 

Elevating Korean Flavors: A Conversation with Award-Winning Chefs, with Edward Lee, Beverly Kim, and Danny Lee

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.

 

Breaking Barriers: A New Vision of Leadership in the U.S. Military, with JoAnne Bass

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.