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Gayoung is the Executive Assistant to President/CEO and Board of Directors Staff Liaison at The Korea Society. She previously interned at Portman Square Group, a global investigations firm specializing in business intelligence, where she focused on due diligence, research, and data analysis. Gayoung also worked as an administrative assistant in Columbia University’s Undergraduate Admissions Office and as a communications associate at The Kaizen Company, an international development firm.

Passionate about foreign policy and U.S.-Korea relations, Gayoung was one of ten undergraduate fellows selected globally for the 2022 Nuclear Nonproliferation Education and Research Center (NEREC) Summer Fellowship program at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). There, she conducted research on potential challenges to the Nuclear Suppliers Group due to increasing global nuclear demand and changing attitudes surrounding nuclear energy. Gayoung graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Political Science.

Hae Kyung “Haley” Ahn is Senior Advisor for Outreach at The Korea Society. In this position, she plays an important role in expanding the influence and activities of The Korea Society beyond its New York base and acts as the representative of The Korea Society in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining The Korea Society, Haley worked as Senior Advisor at Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) and Head of the Protocol Office at the U.S. Embassy, Seoul. She also served as advisor and lecturer at the International Convention Management Center at Ewha Womans University and adjunct professor at Soongeui Women’s College in Seoul, Korea. Haley has received various awards from U.S. government including Meritorious Honor Award and Foreign Service National (FSN) of the Year Award. She has also received a Merit Award from the Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense. Haley was an undergraduate at Ewha Womans University. She holds a Master’s degree in International Studies from Yonsei University and Ph.D. in Political Science from Ewha Womans University.

Micala Shaffer is The Korea Society’s Communication Officer. She is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s communications strategy, coordinating program promotions, fostering relationships with media personnel, and managing grant proposals and reporting. She first joined The Korea Society as Communication Intern in 2021 after graduating with a double B.A. in East Asian Studies and Globalization Studies (magna cum laude) from University at Albany. Prior to joining The Korea Society full time, she worked at the law office of McAdam & Fallon, P.C..

Bradley D. Sheen is the Media Program Associate at The Korea Society. With a strong background in media production and a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, he collaborates closely with the Creative Director and IT Director to create engaging multimedia content, including video production, editing, and graphic design. His role also involves updating program webpages, ensuring a dynamic online presence for the organization.

Dr. Katrin Fraser Katz, is The Korea Society’s inaugural Van Fleet Nonresident Senior Fellow. Dr. Katz is a former director for Japan, Korea, and oceanic affairs on the staff of the National Security Council, where she served from 2007 to 2008. She is also a Scholar-in-Residence in the Master of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) program at the University of Miami and an Adjunct Fellow (Non-resident) in the Office of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. Previously, she was a special assistant to the assistant secretary for international organization affairs at the U.S. Department of State and an analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. She was previously an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Columbia University and has also taught at Georgetown University. In 2017, Dr. Katz received the in augural Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Series award from The Korea Society. Dr. Katz’s research, which has been supported by grants from the Korea Foundation and the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy, explores the interplay of cooperation and conflict in East Asia’s political, economic, and security dynamics. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University; a master’s degree in East Asian and international security studies from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she was awarded the John C. Perry Scholarship for East Asian Studies; and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in international relations and Japanese from the University of Pennsylvania.

Sojeong is the Director of Business and Economics Program. Working with the Senior Director of Development, Sojeong manages the corporate program with a focus on startup business in America and Korea. Her program shines a light on the dynamic startup scene in Korea and America, helping to connect successful startup pioneers with aspiring entrepreneurs. Sojeong has extensive experience in fundraising and in managing youth leadership and community development programs. Prior to her current role, she was a Program Officer at the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, The Beautiful Foundation NY (aka Nanum Foundation), and The Korea Society. She holds a B.A. in English Education from Ewha Womans University, an M.A. in Political Science from Seoul National University, and an M.I.A. (Master of International Affairs) from the University of California, San Diego.

Stephanie Hwang is The Korea Society’s Development Program Officer. Along with providing general support to the Development Team, she is responsible for managing individual membership and programming the Young Professional Network. Prior to joining The Korea Society in 2023, she worked in Publicity and Marketing at Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stony Brook University, and tutors high-school level English on the weekends.

Chelsie Alexandre is the Policy Program Officer at The Korea Society. She works with the Director of Policy to develop and implement events that address issues shaping the dynamics of U.S.-ROK relations, the Korean peninsula, and Northeast Asia. Before joining The Korea Society, Chelsie received a Fulbright Research award to conduct research in South Korea on the role of middle power countries in the Korean peace process with Korea University’s Peace and Democracy Institute. During her time in Seoul, she also briefly reported on domestic Korean affairs for The Diplomat.

Prior to her current role, Chelsie was a Partnerships Coordinator at the New York City-based nonprofit, The Concordia Summit, and she worked as a Legal Analyst at the global law firm Kobre & Kim. Chelsie also had previous experience as a research Intern at The Korea Society. She graduated with a B.A. in Politics from Princeton University, with minors in East Asian Studies and Diplomacy.

Rachel Bang is The Korea Society’s Arts and Culture Programs Associate. Rachel is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of various arts and culture initiatives within the organization. She also works to conduct research related to arts and culture, identifying potential partners and collaborators, and helping to build relationships! She holds a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Korean Culture and Studies.

Jamie Joo is the Associate Director of Development at The Korea Society. She is responsible for managing corporate membership and coordinating special events for the organization. She also fulfills the role of Executive Assistant to President Thomas Byrne. Before joining The Korea Society, Jamie served as an Operation Specialist in the United States Navy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering Technology with a specialization in Avionics from Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.