2026 Trailblazer Award Honoree
CKA is proud to honor Julie Kim with the 2026 Trailblazer Award. With 30 years of global health care leadership, she is recognized for advancing innovation, building inclusive teams, and improving patients’ lives.
2026 PROGRAM & SCHEDULE
Explore Summit and NextGen programming, community experiences, and celebrations designed to bring established and emerging Korean American leaders together in Los Angeles.
PRE-PROGRAM
OCTOBER 22
OCTOBER 22
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Women’s Affinity Group Lunch
Gather with Women’s Affinity Group members for lunch and connection before the afternoon program.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Women’s Affinity Group Event
An afternoon of conversations, community building, and programming for members of the Women’s Affinity Group.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Women’s Affinity Group & CKA Member Reception
Women’s Affinity Group participants and CKA members come together for an early evening reception.
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
NetKAL 20 Reunion Event
Celebrate 20 years of NetKAL with an evening of reunion, reflection, and connection.
Locations, participation details, and additional information will be announced soon.
FRIDAY PROGRAM
OCTOBER 23
OCTOBER 23
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Fairmont Century Plaza — Foyer
Check in, enjoy breakfast, and connect with fellow attendees before the day’s programming begins.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Summit & NextGen Opening Sessions
Fairmont Century Plaza — Gala Floor
A series of sessions bringing Summit and NextGen participants together for conversations, learning, and connection.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
NextGen participants will have lunch at another location nearby.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
CKA Summit
Fairmont Century Plaza — Gala Floor
An afternoon of conversations, workshops, and programming featuring leaders from across the Korean American community.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
NextGen Summit
Fairmont Century Plaza — Constellation Ballroom
Programming for emerging leaders, including workshops, coaching sessions, and opportunities to connect with fellow participants.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Summit & NextGen Closing Session
Fairmont Century Plaza — Gala Floor
Summit and NextGen participants reconvene for a shared closing session.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Choose Your Own Adventure: Friday Dinners
Explore Los Angeles and connect with fellow attendees through a variety of self-selected dinner experiences.
Planned options include:
- NextGen Entrepreneurship Reception
In collaboration with ELOREA
ELOREA LA — Koreatown - Ki Restaurant Dinner
Limited to 11 guests. Participants will cover their own meal. - Self-Organized Group Dinners
Restaurant recommendations will be provided for attendees who would like to organize their own groups.
Locations, registration details, and additional dinner options will be announced soon.
SATURDAY PROGRAM
OCTOBER 24
OCTOBER 24
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM
CKA × NoWhere Running Club Community Run
Meeting location to be announced
Start the day with a community run through Los Angeles. Open to all members of the CKA community.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
CKA Member Breakfast
Fairmont Century Plaza — Constellation Ballroom
CKA members are invited to gather for breakfast before the annual member programming begins.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
CKA Member Meeting
Fairmont Century Plaza — Constellation Ballroom
CKA members come together for organizational updates and a look ahead at the future of the community.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
CKA Member Salon — Round 1
Fairmont Century Plaza — Constellation Ballroom
A member-focused conversation designed to encourage meaningful dialogue, learning, and connection.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CKA Member Salon — Round 2
Fairmont Century Plaza — Constellation Ballroom
A second round of facilitated conversations for CKA members.
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
CKA × KYCC Community Volunteer Event
Koreatown — Location to be announced
Join CKA and KYCC for a community volunteer event supporting the cleanup of Koreatown.
This event is being planned. Participation and registration details will be announced soon.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Gala Registration & Opening Reception
Fairmont Century Plaza — Ballroom Hallway
Check in and connect with fellow guests before the evening’s Gala program.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
2026 CKA Envision Gala
Fairmont Century Plaza — Gala Ballroom
An evening celebrating Korean American leadership, community, and the stories shaping our collective future.
9:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Gala Reception
Fairmont Century Plaza — Ballroom Hallway
Continue the celebration with fellow guests following the Gala program.
9:45 PM – 1:00 AM
After Party
Location to be announced
Close out the 2026 CKA Envision Gala & Summit with an evening of continued celebration and connection.
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
Jinhee Ahn Kim
Co-Founder & CEO Kumio
Gloria Lee
Client Relations Partner,
Rutan & Tucker, LLP
Michelle Rhyu
Retired Litigation Partner, 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
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GALA COMMITTEE
- ▪ Alex Cha, Attorney, Law Offices of Alex Cha and Associates
- ▪ Carol Choi, Founder, United Exchange Corp.
- ▪ Lillian Kim Chun, Interior Designer
- ▪ Monica Kang, Managing Direector of Programs and Strategy, CKA
- ▪ Jihee Huh, Vice-Chairman, Pacific American FISH Company
- ▪ Angela Killoren, President, CKA
- ▪ 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 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