Jinhee Ahn Kim
Co-Founder & CEO Kumio
OUR EVOLVING COMMUNITY
The 2026 CKA Envision Gala & Summit is the national gathering of Korean American leaders, bringing our community together to celebrate how far we have come and to imagine what comes next.
This year’s theme, Our Evolving Community, honors the remarkable arc of the Korean American story, from immigration and resilience to leadership, innovation, and influence across industries. Hosted in Los Angeles, home to the largest Korean community outside of Korea, Envision 2026 will celebrate the continued evolution of Korean America.
This year marks a momentous chapter: 15 years of CKA, 20 years of NetKAL, and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
From October 23 to 24, 2026, the Council of Korean Americans will convene more than 600 leaders for a landmark gathering that honors our shared history, celebrates the accomplishments of our community, and creates space for meaningful conversations about the critical issues shaping our future.
As CKA’s premier national event, the Envision Gala & Summit brings together leaders across sectors to strengthen the relationships, ideas, and collective influence that will shape the next chapter of Korean American leadership and service.
2026 ENVISION GALA STEERING COMMITTEE
Gala Co-Chairs
Gloria Lee
Client Relations Partner,
Rutan & Tucker, LLP
Michelle Rhyu
Senior Counsel, Cooley LLP
Lisa J. Yang
Managing Partner, LimNexus LLP,
CKA Board Member
Jinhee Ahn Kim
Co-Founder & CEO Kumio
Gloria Lee
Client Relations Partner,
Rutan & Tucker, LLP
Michelle Rhyu
Senior Counsel, Cooley LLP
Lisa J. Yang
Managing Partner, LimNexus LLP,
CKA Board Member
GALA COMMITTEE
|
|
GALA COMMITTEE
- ▪ Linda Butcher, Vice President, CKA
- ▪ Alex Cha, Attorney, Law Offices of Alex Cha and Associates
- ▪ Carol Choi, Founder, United Exchange Corp.
- ▪ Lillian Kim Chun, Interior Designer
- ▪ Alpin Hong, Community Engagement Manager, CKA
- ▪ Jihee Huh, Vice-Chairman, Pacific American FISH Company
- ▪ Angela Killoren, Board Chairman, CKA, Principal, Lumenova
- ▪ Alexander Kim, Principal, CEO, Three Kings Public Affairs
- ▪ Susan Kim, Advisor, Baobab Studios
- ▪ Tina Kim, CEO, Tina Kim Gallery
- ▪ Randy Sim, President & Founder, Satsun Corporation
- ▪ Esther Song, Founder & CEO, Song Group
2026 CKA Envision Gala Sponsors
Making Korean American History: Celebrating the Power of Our Stories as We Invest in Tomorrow’s Leaders
On November 14–15, 2025, the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) convened more than 420 leaders from across industries and regions in Washington, DC, to celebrate the accomplishments of the national Korean American community and to discuss the critical issues shaping our future.
This annual event, the Envision Gala and Summit, is the premier national gathering of Korean American leaders, highlighting the contributions of our vibrant community to the country and to diverse sectors.
This year, we made history by raising a record-breaking amount for CKA’s fundraiser in support of our mission—to amplify the national voice of Korean Americans and cultivate the next generation of leaders serving the Asian American community and the nation.
Making Korean American History: Celebrating the Power of Our Stories as We Invest in Tomorrow’s Leaders
On November 14–15, 2025, the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) convened more than 420 leaders from across industries and regions in Washington, DC, to celebrate the accomplishments of the national Korean American community and to discuss the critical issues shaping our future.
This annual event, the Envision Gala and Summit, is the premier national gathering of Korean American leaders, highlighting the contributions of our vibrant community to the country and to diverse sectors.
This year, we made history by raising a record-breaking amount for CKA’s fundraiser in support of our mission—to amplify the national voice of Korean Americans and cultivate the next generation of leaders serving the Asian American community and the nation.
To celebrate CKA’s 20th anniversary, we will be taking our Envision Gala and Summit to Los Angeles in October 2026. For more information, contact us.
2025 CKA Envision Gala Honorees
2025 CKA Envision Gala Honorees
EMBRACE UNITY AWARD
David Chung
Founder & CEO, The Rootist
Founder & Chairman,
Judith Ehm Foundation
INSPIRE AWARD
Laura Kim
Co-Creative Director,
Oscar de la Renta & MONSE
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Simon Kim
Founder & CEO,
Gracious Hospitality Management
Owner, COTE Korean
Steak House & COQODAQ
EMBRACE UNITY AWARD
David Chung
Founder & CEO, The Rootist
Founder & Chairman,
Judith Ehm Foundation
INSPIRE AWARD
Laura Kim
Co-Creative Director,
Oscar de la Renta & MONSE
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Simon Kim
Founder & CEO,
Gracious Hospitality Management
Owner, COTE Korean
Steak House & COQODAQ
2025 Envision Gala MC & Musical Performers
2025 ENVISION GALA STEERING COMMITTEE
|
Gala Co-Chairs
Kee Park
Susan Park |
GALA STEERING COMMITTEE Members
|
2025 CKA Envision Gala Sponsors
Lead
Diamond
Platinum
CKA boston Friends
Ellen and Paul Chae
Charitable Fund
Gold
Dr. Michael Keyoung
Leezie Kim &
GaRy Restaino
Randy & Sue Sim
Sungdo &
Hansung Park
Community
Lead
Diamond
Platinum
CKA boston Friends
Ellen and Paul Chae
Charitable Fund
Gold
Dr. Michael Keyoung
Leezie Kim &
Gary Restaino
Randy & Sue Sim
Sungdo &
Hansung Park
Community
VISION FUND COMMUNITY
VISION FUND COMMUNITY