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Balancing Ambition and Passion

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The Korea Society’s Young Professionals’ Network presents Balancing Ambition and Passion, a conversation featuring experienced professionals from different fields who are also published authors. Speakers will reflect on balancing personal passions on top of pressures from full-time professional careers, as well as the meaningful takeaways they’ve learned about personal growth and creating impact through the writing process.

Many young professionals pursue demanding careers while also nurturing interests beyond the workplace. How do individuals reserve space for these passions while building their professional lives? To find out, join us in-person at The Korea Society on Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 PM, followed by opportunities for audience discussion and networking with the speakers. Dinner will be provided.

We are joined by Samuel Cho (J.P. Morgan Asset Management), author of Forge Through 40. His memoir tracks the product management framework that has guided his journey through not only executive suites of major financial institutions but through all areas of his professional and personal life. Forge Through 40 is currently available for purchase. The discussion will also feature author Patricia Park (American University), who brings her educational background into writing – her novels entertain while igniting discussions for young professionals on larger themes of identity, culture, belonging, class, and social justice. Her next novel, Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic, releases on April 28, 2026. The conversation will be moderated by Stephanie Hwang, Development Officer at The Korea Society.

Tickets are available for purchase below, with discounted pricing available for members of The Korea Society.

*This program is proudly presented in partnership with Asian American Dental Society, which gathers dental healthcare professionals of Asian descent to empower and support the future dental professionals within our communities. They seek to provide a supportive space to share our passion and education for oral health, while advocating for a lifelong commitment to education, mentorship and collaboration.

Become a member or renew your membership today to join our community and stay up-to-date with our organization’s activities. Membership begins at the Individual Level ($50/year).   

About the Speakers:

Samuel Cho
Global Head of Reporting & Information Provision at J.P. Morgan Asset Management; Author of Forge Through 40
In a world where authentic connections and meaningful collaboration shape success, Samuel Cho has dedicated his career to cultivating vibrant communities and relationships to deliver exceptional value. Committed to living by the Golden Rule, Sam strives to empower those around him. Sam is an enterprise operating executive who thrives in high-velocity environments where strategic vision and execution speed are critical.

Patricia Park
Professor of Creative Writing at American University; author of Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic
Patricia Park is the author of the award-winning novel, Re Jane, and the YA novels Imposter Syndrome & Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim (an NPR Best Books of 2023 and a Gotham Book Prize finalist), What’s Eating Jackie Oh? (Kirkus Reviews’ Best YA Books of 2024), and the forthcoming Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic (2026). She is a tenured professor of creative writing at American University, a Fulbright scholar, an Edith Wharton Writer-in-Residence, a Jerome Hill Artist Fellow, and other awards. She has written for The New York Times, New Yorker, Guardian, and others. Patricia was born & raised in Queens, NY.

Lessons Learned with Karen Choi

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Join us for an upcoming program in The Korea Society’s Young Professionals Network: Lessons Learned series, presented in partnership with the Korea Finance Society (KFS).

This program features Karen Choi, Partner at Capital Group, who will reflect on her professional journey and share lessons from building a long-term career at the highest levels of the global finance industry. She will offer candid perspective on leadership and the realities of sustaining a career while balancing competing priorities, with insights for young professionals as they consider the intersection of growth and purpose in their own careers.

The discussion will be moderated by Sandra Schubert, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. Drawing on shared industry experience, the conversation will be followed by a Q&A and networking session, offering an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.

The Korea Society is pleased to present this Young Professionals’ Network event in partnership with the Korea Finance Society (KFS). KFS seeks to build a community to promote the advancement of Korean and Korean-American financial professionals in the United States through networking, education, and mentorship.

About the Speaker:

Karen Choi is a partner and fixed income portfolio manager at Capital Group. She has 27 years of investment experience and has been with Capital Group for 17 years. Earlier in her career at Capital, as a fixed income investment analyst, Karen covered utilities, regional banks, and non-bank financials in the U.S. Prior to joining Capital, she was a senior vice-president and fixed income analyst at AllianceBernstein and before that with Prudential Financial. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Wellesley College. She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Karen is an appointed member of the Edison Electric Institute Wall Street Advisory Group (WSAG). Karen is on the Board of the New York Women’s Foundation and previously served as Co-chair of the Board, and she is also active in local and global non-profit organizations. Karen is the co-founder and organizer of Women in Power and has chaired one of the inaugural inclusion committees in her workplace. Karen is also on the Board of Trustees at the Horace Mann School.

Karen resides in CT with her husband/partner and four daughters.

About the Moderator:

Sandra Schubert is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor in the Asset & Wealth Management Division of Goldman Sachs, where she leads a team responsible for advising ultra-high net worth families and family offices, endowments, and foundations. She is a member of the firm’s Top Advisors, a select group that represents the top 10% of advisors globally. Sandra joined Goldman Sachs after receiving her MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to graduate school, Sandra spent several years in Asia and in France, heading the ELLE brand for Hachette Filipacchi in Korea. Sandra received her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College and is a graduate of Stuyvesant High School. She serves the communities where she lives and works as a current Trustee and past Investment Committee Chair of the Brooklyn Public Library, a Trustee of the Korea Finance Society, and Steering Committee Member of the GS Asian Professionals Network.

2026 Emerging Design Competition

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The Korea Society is calling for entries for “Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition.” The competition is a part of Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (hereinafter Startup Scene), a program initiative dedicated to empower the startup entrepreneurial community that encompasses the US and South Korean economic landscape. This is proudly supported by Hanwha Life exclusively.

The “Startup Scene: Emerging Design Competition” is designed to encourage innovative thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit among Korean-American and Korean students enrolled in colleges, universities, and graduate schools across the United States. This year, the participants are challenged to pitch an innovative startup concept that leverages emerging technologies to address pressing challenges and issues.

Application Period: Monday, December 15, 2025 to Monday, March 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)

Information session : Friday, January 23, 2026 | 5 PM (EST)

 

 

 

Startup Pathways for Students: Emerging Design Competition & More
Meet the student team finalists from Startup Scene: 2025 Student Ideation Competition—newly rebranded this year as the Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition—and explore NYC-wide resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. This session highlights college and university-level student startup ideas and introduces programs, mentorship, and opportunities to help students take their first steps into the startup ecosystem. A networking reception with light refreshment will follow.

 

About the Speakers:

 

Eun Soo Cho is a multiple award-winning student entrepreneur with a background in interaction design. With a multidisciplinary approach spanning engineering, design, and marketing, Eunsoo has earned recognition including 1st Place at the 2025 Stanford Longevity Design Challenge, the Indigo Award (Gold) for Apps for Social Change, and selection as a finalist for the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards. She was also a team member of the first-prize–winning project at The Korea Society’s inaugural student entrepreneurship competition. Eunsoo earned her MFA from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and is currently working in product strategy at a Series C startup based in New York.

 

 

Melissa Lent-Lume is currently the Senior Project Manager on the Tech and Creative team at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). In her role, Melissa works to grow the tech workforce and support the growth of emerging sectors, such as AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and quantum. Specifically, Melissa leads the Startup and VC Internship Programs initiative at NYCEDC, which offers paid work opportunities in the tech and investment world, professional development, and mentorship to New York City students.

Previously, Melissa was the Deputy Policy Director at the Center for an Urban Future, a nonprofit think tank focused on creating a more equitable economy in New York City and expanding economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. Her research influenced policy and the inception of new programs from the creation of the SUNY Reconnect program to the mayor’s investment in the CUNY 2X Tech initiative. She graduated as a valedictorian from Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College.

 

 

Linda Zhou is a 2nd-year MBA candidate at the Yale School of Management and Managing Partner of the NYC/Midwest team at Dorm Room Fund, the leading student-run venture fund investing in student founders. Prior to business school, she built grant programs and accelerators for AAPI non-profits, emerging music artists, filmmakers, journalists, and more at Gold House, while also leading the Gold House Ventures Accelerator for early-stage founders. Linda began her career as community manager at the Harvard Innovation Labs (“i-lab”), leading to a stint as first employee & Chief of Staff at the i-lab incubated fintech startup Juno.

About the Moderator:

 

Holly Oh Diamond is a serial entrepreneur and social impact founder passionate about building businesses that drive equity in the workforce. She is the founder of DHD Consulting, a recruiting firm specializing in Korean and immigrant-owned businesses, and WorkOnward, an AI-powered, map-based hiring platform designed to make job opportunities more accessible for immigrant and women-owned small businesses.

With a background in social work and more than a decade of hands-on experience in recruiting and workforce operations, Holly is known for her people-first, operator-driven approach to solving real-world hiring challenges and supporting economic mobility for underrepresented communities. Her work has been backed by Techstars, Village Capital, and Robin Hood Foundation.

She also owns and operates Mista Oh, a Korean restaurant in Flatiron, New York City, which she opened during the pandemic to support her family and experienced firsthand the realities of small business ownership, hiring, and workforce management.

Today, Holly extends her impact through WorkOnward Foundation, connecting for-profit and nonprofit efforts to expand access to employment through place-based data, technology, partnerships, and community-driven workforce development. She currently serves as a staff member at United Korean Founders and as a board advisor to the New York State Restaurant Association.

 

Final 5 teams announcement: Friday, April 17, 2026
Startup Scene Annual Forum: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Final pitch and Award Ceremony: Friday, June 12, 2026

For any questions, please contact us at startupscene@koreasociety.org.

 

2026 EMERGING DESIGN COMPETITION FINALISTS

We are excited to announce the finalists of the 2026 Emerging Design Competition:

Cuddles
Emory University
A screen-free AI plush companion that helps children build emotional and language skills while giving parents actionable insights to deepen their family connection

 

FOODIE
Iowa State University
A gamified fridge manager that notifies you 48 hours before your food expires

 

Healii
New York University
AI-Based Personalized Wellness & Vitamin Recommendation Platform

 

MyHearo
New York University/ School of Visual Arts
An AI agent for deaf and hard-of-hearing users that understands sound and context to support everyday awareness and action

 

SORVY
Washington State University/Arizona State University
Turning starfish waste into a self-regulating aquarium water cartridge

 

 

How to ApplyPrizes and Terms of Participation

Please fill out the following application form here.

 

Your application should include the following components:

Pitch Video:

  • A brief description of your startup ideas in the most creative way possible 
  • What problem you are solving, for whom, and the solution addressed
  • Any innovative solutions that leverage emerging technologies to address pressing challenges and issues.

 

* The pitch video will be reviewed strictly by judges internally. 

 

Executive Summary (850 words)  

A concise overview of your startup idea, including the specific emerging technologies and technical methods you plan to leverage (e.g., multimodal AI models, edge computing, synthetic data generation, blockchain-based verification, advanced materials, etc). Please explain the core technological concept empowering your solution avoiding general terms like “AI.” 

  • A brief overview of your startup ideas  
  • Problem Statement: What problems are you trying to solve
  • Technology & Product Approach: Explain how your solution works, including the key technology utilized, why it’s needed, and what makes it feasible today.
  • Market analysis: Identify your target customers, estimation of market size, and marketing strategy
  • Revenue Model: Outline how you plan to make money.
  • Unique advantage: How is your idea/solution innovative?

 

Eligibility

  • Students from all U.S. schools are eligible to apply.  
  • Individual or team applications (max.3 students per team) will be accepted.
  • In alignment with Startup Scene’s mission, each team must include at least one team member of Korean heritage.
  • Only currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students taking classes in U.S. schools during the 2025-26 academic school year are eligible to apply.
  • We will only accept applications from student email addresses. No personal email addresses will be accepted.
  • Teams do not have to comprise students from the same school; students from different schools may be included in one team.

 

 

Prizes

The top 5 finalists are also expected and will receive a travel stipend to attend the 2026 Startup Scene Annual Forum in NYC (Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Citi Headquarters) and receive coaching sessions with our partner organizations to realize the idea into a working company. 

 

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Venue: Citi Headquarters
388 Greenwich St
New York, NY 10013

 

The top 3 teams will receive special prizes and recognition, as listed below:

1st place: $5000
2nd place: $3000
3rd place: $1000

Terms of Participation 

Please note the following terms of participation: 

  • The idea cannot already have been pursued by another company.  
  • The idea must be developed independently by the participants and must not infringe the rights of third parties.
  • Team name and short description may be published on the website and social media of The Korea Society.
  • The competitors must be ready to attend the Startup Scene Annual Forum at NYC for their final pitch.
  • There is no fee for application or competition.
  • The decision of the jury is final, any legal action is precluded.
  • The submitted summary and video pitch of any application will be reviewed by the staff and judges preselected by The Korea Society. Finalists must participate in the Startup Scene Annual Forum, where activities and presentations are open to the pre-registered attendees of the forum.

 

While the judges will be expected to use discretion with respect to proprietary information, The Korea Society cannot assume any responsibilities or provide any guarantees with respect to confidentiality of contestant team proprietary information. All participants must acknowledge the public nature of the competition and assume all risks associated with any disclosure during the competition.

 

This program is supported by Hanwha Life

 

 

Startup Scene: Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
2026 Emerging Design Competition

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue
24th Floor New York, NY 10017

 

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US Infrastructure Market Outlook and Investment Strategy (Focused on the Mid-Market)

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The New York Korean Financial Forum was held on April 16, 2026 at The Korea Society, in partnership with Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, to discuss investment strategies and opportunities within the North American mid-market infrastructure sector.

Jared Waldron (Co-Head of Infrastructure) and Jessica Kennedy (Managing Director) from Northleaf Capital Partners presented structural advantages of the mid-market. They highlighted the diverse opportunities in renewable energy and digital infrastructure for a higher margin of safety and significant value creation potential.

The program brought together over 40 Korean and Korean-American finance professionals and concluded with a networking session, offering participants an opportunity to exchange professional insights and strengthen connections across New York’s financial community.

 

US Infrastructure Market Outlook and Investment Strategy (Focused on the Mid-Market)

April 16, 2026

 

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

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Global Venture Without Borders:
A Conversation with Eric Kim

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As part of our commitment to building the next generation of founders, The Korea Society is bringing Startup Scene to Yale Ventures – connecting one of the world’s most dynamic consumer technology investors with Yale’s entrepreneurial community. We are honored to welcome Eric Kim, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Goodwater Capital and Yale University alumnus, for a fireside conversation on building global consumer technology companies across borders.

Eric Kim will reflect on his journey to founding Goodwater Capital, a leading global venture firm with a portfolio of transformative consumer technology companies including Kakao, Coupang, Spotify, ByteDance, and Stitch Fix. Please join us as Eric shares insights on the rise of the global startup ecosystem, cross-border investment strategy, and how investors identify and scale the next generation of consumer platforms.

This conversation will be moderated by Josh Geballe, Senior Associate Provost for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Yale University and Managing Director of Yale Ventures.

 

This program is supported by Hanwha Life

Co-Hosted with

 

In-person attendance for this event is limited to Yale University students. If you wish to view the post-event recording, please indicate your interest via the form provided.

 

Global Venture Without Borders: A Conversation with Eric Kim

Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 12:00 PM (EDT)

VIDEO RELEASE: Friday, April 10, 2026


Tsai CITY (Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale)
17 Prospect St, New Haven, CT

 

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About the Speaker:

Eric Kim
Goodwater Capital

Eric J. Kim is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Goodwater Capital, a global consumer technology venture capital firm. He has led investments in companies including Kakao, TikTok, Coupang, Xendit, Viva Republica (Toss), Daangn Market (Karrot), MoMo, Scentbird, Hallow, Midi Health, and Everlywell.

Previously, Eric was a Managing Director at Maverick Capital, where he helped build the firm’s global venture capital, leading investments across North America, Europe, and Asia. He began his career as a business analyst at McKinsey & Company.

Eric has long been involved in education and the arts. A classically trained cellist, he was a member of the Grammy-nominated Yale Cellos. He serves on the Board of Advisors for Yale University’s School of Music and on the boards of Empowerly and StudySmarter, companies operating at the intersection of AI and education, and previously served on the national board of College Track.

Eric earned his undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science from Yale University (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude) and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

 

 

About the Moderator:

Josh Geballe is Senior Associate Provost for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Yale University and Managing Director of Yale Ventures. He is responsible for a wide range of services and programs for students, faculty, and the broader New Haven community to launch new startups based on Yale research, provide training in entrepreneurship and innovation, expand external research partnerships, and foster the growth of the local innovation and entrepreneurship community

Prior to launching Yale Ventures in 2022 Josh served as Chief Operating Officer for the State of Connecticut under Governor Ned Lamont. With responsibility for all executive branch agencies covering 30,000 employees, he led successful initiatives to modernize government operations and led the state’s nationally recognized response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to his three years in public service Josh spent his career in the technology industry, most recently as CEO of Core Informatics, a venture-backed scientific software company that was acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific where he went on to serve as Vice President and General Manager of Digital Science. Previously he spent 11 years at IBM in a variety of international executive roles.

Josh serves on the boards of directors of several non-profit organizations, including ClimateHaven where he is the founding board chair, Connecticut Innovations, AdvanceCT, BioCT and the Mory’s Association.

Josh holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA from Yale University.

 

US Stock Market Outlook for 2026

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The New York Korean Financial Forum was held on March 26, 2026 at The Korea Society, in partnership with Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, to discuss the outlook for U.S. stock markets in 2026.

The forum featured a keynote presentation by Ohsung Kwon, Chief Equity Strategist at Wells Fargo Securities, who presented a positive outlook for U.S. equities with an S&P 500 year-end target of 7,800, driven by a reflation cycle, larger tax refunds, and a potential liquidity buy signal. He also highlighted two opposing macro forces shaping the market — currency devaluation and AI-driven productivity — and their implications for investors.

The program brought together around 40 Korean and Korean-American finance professionals and concluded with a networking lunch, offering participants an opportunity to exchange perspectives and strengthen connections across New York’s financial community.  

 

U.S. Stock Market Outlook for 2026

Thursday, March 26, 2026

 

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

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Navigating Trade Uncertainty: Tariffs, Supply Chains, and US-Korea Strategy

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In light of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the use of IEEPA for tariffs, The Korea Society is hosting a closed-door discussion to examine the evolving architecture of U.S. trade enforcement authorities and the implications for U.S.–Korea economic relations. The conversation will explore the expected trajectory of U.S. tariff policy following the February 20 ruling, including potential policy pathways involving Sections 122, 232, and 301 and the broader strategic considerations shaping intergovernmental coordination between Washington and Seoul. The discussion will also consider how this period of uncertainty may present an opportunity to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation in ways that advance mutual benefit.

Please note that this event will not be broadcast, press coverage is not permitted, and all discussions will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule. Any press members may contact us for further inquiries at corporate@koreasociety.org

 

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While TKS members have first priority, we encourage all interested attendees to apply. You’ll receive a confirmation once your RSVP has been submitted. For information on membership, please refer to the webpage here. 

  

 

For information on membership, please refer to this webpage.

 

Navigating Trade Uncertainty: Tariffs, Supply Chains, and US-Korea Strategy

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 4:00 PM

By Invitation

 

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About the Speakers

Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute

Wendy Cutler is Senior Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), based in Washington, D.C. In this role, she focuses on leading initiatives that address challenges related to trade, investment, economic security, and innovation, as well as women’s empowerment in Asia. She joined ASPI following an illustrious career of nearly three decades as a diplomat and negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she also served as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. During her USTR career, she worked on a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade negotiations and initiatives, including the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, U.S.-China negotiations, and the WTO Financial Services negotiations. She has published a series of ASPI papers on the Asian trade landscape and serves as a regular media commentator on trade and investment developments in Asia and the world.

 

 

Lauren Mandell, Partner, International Trade, Investment, and Market Access Practice, WilmerHale

Lauren Mandell is a partner in WilmerHale’s International Trade, Investment and Market Access Practice. He helps companies and governments navigate a broad range of issues related to international trade and investment, including digital trade, foreign investment protection, tariffs and supply chain management, international arbitration, and State-to-State dispute settlement. He is particularly adept at handling issues involving China, such as the new US outbound investment security program and other measures restricting US economic engagement with China.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Mandell served in the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) under the Obama and Trump administrations, where he negotiated the investment chapter of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and played a key role in the revival of Section 301 as a trade enforcement tool.

 

 

Troy Stangarone, Non-Resident Fellow, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology

Troy Stangarone is a non-resident fellow with the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology. Previously he was the Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy and the Deputy Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the Wilson Center. Mr. Stangarone specializes in economic and foreign policy relations on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr. Stangarone is also currently a columnist for The Korea Times and The Hankook Ilbo, as well as a contributing author for The Diplomat. He is co-chair of the Steering Committee for the North Korea Economic Forum at the George Washington Institute for Korean Studies and a member of the Korea-America Student Conference’s National Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining the Wilson Center, Mr. Stangarone was Senior Director and Fellow at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) where he oversaw the Institute’s programmatic initiatives and focused on issues pertaining to economic and foreign policy on the Korean Peninsula. During his time at KEI, he was a 2012-2013 Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow in South Korea, sponsored by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, and a Posco Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center. Mr. Stangarone also previously worked on Capitol Hill for Senator Robert Torricelli on issues relating to foreign affairs and trade.

Mr. Stangarone holds an MSc. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Memphis.

US M&A Market Trends and the Outlook for the Private Equity Secondary Market

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The New York Korean Financial Forum was held on February 26, 2026 at The Korea Society, in partnership with Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, to discuss the evolving private equity landscape in early 2026.

Victor Wu, Partner and Co-chair at the Secondary Investment Committee at Lexington Partners, presented how moderating inflation, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and slower traditional exit channels expand the role of secondary markets as an important mechanism for liquidity and portfolio flexibility.

The program brought together around 40 Korean and Korean-American finance professionals and concluded with a networking lunch, offering participants an opportunity to exchange perspectives and strengthen connections across New York’s financial community.  

 

US M&A Market Trends and the Outlook for the Private Equity Secondary Market

February 26, 2026

 

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

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Startup Pathways for Students 2026

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Startup Pathways for Students: Emerging Design Competition & More
Meet the student team finalists from Startup Scene: 2025 Student Ideation Competition—newly rebranded this year as the Startup Scene: 2026 Emerging Design Competition—and explore NYC-wide resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. This session highlights college and university-level student startup ideas and introduces programs, mentorship, and opportunities to help students take their first steps into the startup ecosystem. A networking reception with light refreshment will follow.

 

Startup Pathways for Students: Emerging Design Competition & More

Friday, January 23, 2026 | 5:10 PM (EST)


 The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

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About the Speakers:

 

Eun Soo Cho is a multiple award-winning student entrepreneur with a background in interaction design. With a multidisciplinary approach spanning engineering, design, and marketing, Eunsoo has earned recognition including 1st Place at the 2025 Stanford Longevity Design Challenge, the Indigo Award (Gold) for Apps for Social Change, and selection as a finalist for the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards. She was also a team member of the first-prize–winning project at The Korea Society’s inaugural student entrepreneurship competition. Eunsoo earned her MFA from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and is currently working in product strategy at a Series C startup based in New York.

 

 

Melissa Lent-Lume is currently the Senior Project Manager on the Tech and Creative team at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). In her role, Melissa works to grow the tech workforce and support the growth of emerging sectors, such as AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and quantum. Specifically, Melissa leads the Startup and VC Internship Programs initiative at NYCEDC, which offers paid work opportunities in the tech and investment world, professional development, and mentorship to New York City students.

Previously, Melissa was the Deputy Policy Director at the Center for an Urban Future, a nonprofit think tank focused on creating a more equitable economy in New York City and expanding economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. Her research influenced policy and the inception of new programs from the creation of the SUNY Reconnect program to the mayor’s investment in the CUNY 2X Tech initiative. She graduated as a valedictorian from Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College.

 

 

Linda Zhou is a 2nd-year MBA candidate at the Yale School of Management and Managing Partner of the NYC/Midwest team at Dorm Room Fund, the leading student-run venture fund investing in student founders. Prior to business school, she built grant programs and accelerators for AAPI non-profits, emerging music artists, filmmakers, journalists, and more at Gold House, while also leading the Gold House Ventures Accelerator for early-stage founders. Linda began her career as community manager at the Harvard Innovation Labs (“i-lab”), leading to a stint as first employee & Chief of Staff at the i-lab incubated fintech startup Juno.

About the Moderator:

 

Holly Oh Diamond is a serial entrepreneur and social impact founder passionate about building businesses that drive equity in the workforce. She is the founder of DHD Consulting, a recruiting firm specializing in Korean and immigrant-owned businesses, and WorkOnward, an AI-powered, map-based hiring platform designed to make job opportunities more accessible for immigrant and women-owned small businesses.

With a background in social work and more than a decade of hands-on experience in recruiting and workforce operations, Holly is known for her people-first, operator-driven approach to solving real-world hiring challenges and supporting economic mobility for underrepresented communities. Her work has been backed by Techstars, Village Capital, and Robin Hood Foundation.

She also owns and operates Mista Oh, a Korean restaurant in Flatiron, New York City, which she opened during the pandemic to support her family and experienced firsthand the realities of small business ownership, hiring, and workforce management.

Today, Holly extends her impact through WorkOnward Foundation, connecting for-profit and nonprofit efforts to expand access to employment through place-based data, technology, partnerships, and community-driven workforce development. She currently serves as a staff member at United Korean Founders and as a board advisor to the New York State Restaurant Association.

 

 

New Year, New You! Powered by K-Health

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As we step into the new year, wellness and innovation take center stage. Korea’s rapidly advancing medical and biotechnology industries are reshaping how people pursue healthier, longer, and more connected lives—spanning AI-enabled diagnostics, precision medicine, global clinical collaboration, and wellness tourism.

Join us for a timely discussion with William Ban (Himedi), Taesoo Sean Kim (IceMiller), and Ken Nesmith (Lunit) spotlighting Korea’s health-tech startups, scale-ups, and leading institutions at the forefront of medical innovation. The conversation will explore where Korean startups are creating value across the healthcare continuum, how they are partnering with U.S. healthcare systems, investors, and regulators, and what these cross-border collaborations mean for the future of patient care, precision medicine, and wellness-driven industries.

 

This program is supported by Hanwha Life

 

New Year, New You! Powered by K-Health

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM (EST)


 The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

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About the Speakers:

 

William Ban, COO, Himedi
William Ban is Co-Founder & COO of Himedi, a healthcare platform bridging global patients with Korea’s advanced medical and wellness ecosystem. With a focus on patient experience innovation, William works at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and global mobility – helping modernize how people access diagnostics, preventive care, and specialized treatments across borders. Through Himedi, he collaborates with leading Korean hospitals and clinics to translate Korea’s rapid advances in medical technology, bio-innovation, and wellness into seamless, trusted experiences for U.S. and international patients.

 

 

Taesoo Sean Kim, Partner, IceMiller
TaeSoo Sean Kim is a partner in Ice Miller’s Business Group and co-chair of the firm’s Asia-Pacific Practice Group. Sean represents biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and technology companies in commercial transactions, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic business matters.

With a focus in emerging technologies, Sean negotiates complex technology licenses, collaboration agreements, and commercial contracts across fields such as drug discovery, small molecules, cell and gene therapies, artificial intelligence (AI), cryptography, lithium batteries, and other innovative technologies. As a registered patent attorney with a focus on business transactions, he provides strategic guidance on intellectual property (IP) development, IP portfolio management, and IP commercialization to both startups and established companies.

In his role as co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Practice Group, Sean serves as a relationship partner to Asia-based clients in cross-border transactions and disputes, including M&A, joint ventures, commercial agreements, and IP matters. He also leads efforts on large-scale economic development projects, such as lithium battery manufacturing and recycling plants, overseeing site selection, incentives, real estate, and regulatory compliance.

Sean is deeply involved in the startup community, having served on the Board of Korean Startups and Entrepreneurs. He currently serves as outside general counsel to startups, guiding them from pre-funding to multiple rounds of venture financing and exit.

 

 

Ken Nesmith, Group Head – Oncology, Lunit
Ken brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare and life sciences. He cofounded Lexent Bio, serving as CEO until its acquisition by Foundation Medicine, and previously led product strategy at Counsyl. His career also includes roles at Noom, BCG, and Codon Devices. Ken holds a BS from MIT and an MBA from Wharton, and today leads the Lunit Oncology Group.