Welcome to the CKA Gala
Tonight
Order of Events
Randy Sim, Esther Song, and Roy Choi
- Introduction Video
- Introduction
- Honoree Remarks
About Eugene Kim, MD
Eugene Kim, MD, is Chief Medical Officer of the not-for-profit MemorialCare Health System, a leading Southern California integrated healthcare delivery system, where he oversees case management, risk management and quality improvement and works with physician partners and leadership to advance patient-centered care.
He previously served as CMO for Providence Southern California, overseeing more than 10 medical groups and affiliated networks, and as CMO of St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Kim earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
- Introduction Video
- Introduction
- Honoree Remarks
About Harriet B. Nembhard
Harriet B. Nembhard is President of Harvey Mudd College, the nation’s premier liberal arts STEM college and a member of The Claremont Colleges. She leads “STEM for a Better World,” the college’s 2025–2035 strategy connecting academic innovation with social responsibility and global impact. Her research has advanced healthcare, including a patented process for small-scale medical devices and machine learning methods for early Parkinson’s screening. She previously served as Dean of Engineering at the University of Iowa and is a Fellow of IISE, ASQ, and AIMBE.
2026 Gala Committee
Randy Sim 
President, Satsun Corporation; Vice Chair, CKA
Randy Sim is the President/Founder of Satsun Corporation, a commercial real estate management and development company in Houston, TX. Randy serves on the board of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) as Vice Chair.
He also serves as the Board Chair for the Airline Improvement District and the Board Chair of the Korean American Society of Houston that annually hosts the Korean Festival at Discovery Green. He is also a Board Member and Chairs the Governance and Nominations Committee of Asia Society Texas Center and an Appointed Board Member of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One and St George Place Redevelopment Authority. Previously, he was the Board Chair for the American Leadership Forum where he was a Senior Fellow of Class 30 and Board Member of the Houston Community College Foundation. Randy attended the University of Texas in Austin. He is a CCIM candidate, a member of Leadership Houston’s class XXVIII, and a fellow of NetKAL Class V.
Roy Choi
Managing Partner, Knighted Ventures
Roy Choi is Managing Partner at Knighted Ventures, an investment firm focused on entertainment and gaming. He also serves as President of KCM Agency, a multicultural marketing agency.
In his nonprofit work, Roy is Executive Producer and CEO of Kollaboration, a nationwide nonprofit 501(c)(3) showcasing emerging Asian Pacific artists and performers. Kollaboration began in Los Angeles and is now in 15 cities across North America. Roy is also Founder and Chairman of Children in Harmony, a nonprofit aimed at empowering girls and creating empathy in boys in developing countries through music and emotional intelligence education.
Roy graduated with honors from USC with a BA in Cinema from the School of Cinematic Arts. He was a winner and recipient of the Stephen Gentry Memorial Scholarship, and was also a finalist in the Southern California Business Film Festival. In 2009, he was awarded the DARI Award for Man of the Year by the Korea Creative Content Agency.
Paul Song
Director of Trusts and Estates, Bonhams Auctioneers and Appraisals
Paul Song is Director of Trusts and Estates at Bonhams Auctioneers in Los Angeles, with more than 30 years of experience in the auction field.
A well-known international expert in rare coins and bullion, Paul joined Bonhams in 2009, established the Coin Department, and successfully implemented the specialty auctions in Los Angeles and New York. As an expert and auctioneer, Song is instrumental in business development across several categories and is a frequent speaker at trade conferences and other professional venues. Throughout his career, Paul has handled over $330 million worth of property through auctions internationally.
Paul holds an executive MBA from New York University, Stern School of Management in International Finance and Marketing, and a BA from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is an experienced Director and Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the fine art industry, skilled in Marketing Management, Digital Strategy, Negotiation, Luxury Goods, and E-commerce.
Honorees
Trailblazer Award
Julie Kim
President & CEO, Takeda
Visionary Award
Ho Nam
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Altos Ventures
Dinner
Chef Ki Kim
Chef & Owner, Restaurant Ki, Los Angeles
- Michelin Star, Restaurant Ki (2025)
- Michelin Young Chef Award (2025)
- James Beard Award Finalist, Best New Restaurant (2026)
- America’s Best New Restaurants, Esquire & Eater
About the chef
Ki Kim is the chef and owner of Restaurant Ki in LA, where he explores contemporary Korean cuisine rooted in seasonality. Born in Seoul, he began his career at a young age, training in acclaimed kitchens like Junsik and Atomix. In 2025, Ki received the Michelin Young Chef Award and Restaurant Ki earned its first Michelin Star. The restaurant was also named one of America’s Best New Restaurants by Esquire and Eater, and was a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Award Best New Restaurant. Ki’s mission is to create food that offers restoration - bringing people together while honoring Korean flavors with a modern perspective.
Performance
KAMA Choir
Korean American Music Academy · Youth Choir since 1989
Visit kamachoir.com →About KAMA Choir
Founded in 1989 by visionary music director Ms. Chong Hyun Song, the Korean American Music Academy (KAMA) Choir has enriched the lives of young Korean Americans through singing and has become the oldest and most storied youth choir in the Korean American community in the United States. From the beginning, KAMA Choir has operated as a nonprofit organization under the governance of its dedicated board.
Live Auction Countdown
Live Auction
Live auction items are available only tonight. Tap an item for photos and details.
Go to OneCause AuctionAuctioneers
Paul Song
Director of Trusts and Estates, Bonhams Auctioneers and Appraisals
About Paul Song
Paul Song is Director of Trusts and Estates at Bonhams Auctioneers in Los Angeles, with more than 30 years of experience in the auction field.
A well-known international expert in rare coins and bullion, Paul joined Bonhams in 2009, established the Coin Department, and successfully implemented the specialty auctions in Los Angeles and New York. As an expert and auctioneer, Song is instrumental in business development across several categories and is a frequent speaker at trade conferences and other professional venues. Throughout his career, Paul has handled over $330 million worth of property through auctions internationally.
Paul holds an executive MBA from New York University, Stern School of Management in International Finance and Marketing, and a BA from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is an experienced Director and Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the fine art industry, skilled in Marketing Management, Digital Strategy, Negotiation, Luxury Goods, and E-commerce.
Gloria Lee
Client Relations Partner, Rutan & Tucker, LLP; CKA Envision Gala Co-Chair
About Gloria Lee
Gloria Lee is the Client Relations Partner for Rutan & Tucker, LLP, one of the largest full-service law firms in California. She is the only Korean American partner and Chair of the Firm’s Business Development Committee. Gloria is also the Co-Founder of Kwell Laboratories and a Venture Partner of Ethos Fund, a tech fund with a focus on investments in Southeast Asia, Korea and the U.S.
Ms. Lee serves on the public company board of Hanmi Bank and several non-profit boards, including CKA. She formerly served on the Executive Board of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA, and is a past president of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.
Ms. Lee earned her JD at UC Berkeley and earned her BA and MA concurrently in four years from Stanford University where she played for the three-time national champion badminton team.
Live Auction Items
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After Party
9:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Keep the night going at the After Party.
Fairmont Century Plaza — Ballroom Hallway
Give
Support the next generation of Korean American leaders.
Donate to CKAThank You
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors and supporters.
View our sponsors & supporters
and Shirley & Aaron Kim
Equilar, Inc.
Miyoung Lee and Neil Simpkins
Good to Know
Wi-Fi: TBA
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