Category: Signature Events

Wendy R. Sherman was confirmed by the Senate on April 13, 2021 and sworn in as the 21st and first female Deputy Secretary of State on April 14, 2021.

Prior to assuming this position, Deputy Secretary Sherman was professor of the practice of public leadership and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. She was also a Senior Fellow at the School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and a Senior Counselor at Albright Stonebridge Group.

From 2011 – 2015, Deputy Secretary Sherman served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, where she traveled to 54 countries and led the U.S. negotiating team that reached agreement on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran for which, among other diplomatic accomplishments, she was awarded the National Security Medal by President Barack Obama.

She previously served at the State Department as Counselor under Secretary Madeleine Albright, as Special Advisor to President Clinton and Policy Coordinator on North Korea, and as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs under Secretary Warren Christopher.

She also previously served on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, was Chair of the Board of Directors of Oxfam America, and served on the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Policy Board and Congressional Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Proliferation and Terrorism.

Deputy Secretary Sherman attended Smith College, and received a B.A. cum laude from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Social Work, Phi Kappa Phi, from the University of Maryland.

She is married to Bruce Stokes and has a daughter, Sarah, and two grandsons.

Mary Barra is Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. She was elected Chair of the GM Board of Directors on Jan. 4, 2016, and has served as CEO of GM since Jan. 15, 2014.

Under Barra’s leadership, GM envisions a world with zero crashes, to save lives; zero emissions, so future generations can inherit a healthier planet; and zero congestion, so customers get back a precious commodity – time.

She is focused on improving the customer experience and strengthening GM’s core vehicle and services business, while also working to lead the transformation of personal mobility through advanced technologies like connectivity, electrification and autonomous driving.

Prior to becoming CEO, Barra served as GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain since August 2013, and as senior vice president, Global Product Development since February 2011. In these roles, Barra and her teams were responsible for the design, engineering and quality of GM vehicle launches worldwide.

Previously, she served as vice president, Global Human Resources; vice president, Global Manufacturing Engineering; plant manager, Detroit Hamtramck Assembly; and in several other executive engineering and staff positions.

Barra began her career with GM in 1980 as a General Motors Institute (Kettering University) co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1985, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1990.

Barra serves on the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Company, the Duke University Board of Trustees and the Detroit Economic Club.

Additionally, she serves as the Chair and founding member of GM’s Inclusion Advisory Board. She is also a member of The Business Council and a Board Member of the Business Roundtable, where she chairs the Education and Workforce Committee and a subcommittee by the same name for the Special Board Committee on Racial Equity and Justice.

Kwang Mo Koo is chairman and CEO of LG Corporation(LG Corp.), the holding company for industry-leading LG businesses, in the fields of consumer electronics, display technologies, household appliances, electronic components, industrial chemicals, electric vehicle batteries, health and beauty products, and telecommunications.

Since his appointment to the position in June 2018, Koo’s focus has been to optimize LG’s business portfolio and to strengthen the competitiveness of its core businesses in the electronics, chemical, and telecommunications sectors operating in Korea as well as across Europe and the United States.

Under Koo, LG continues to actively invest in future growth engines to enhance the competitiveness of its diverse subsidiaries, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and fundamental research capabilities.

In addition, Koo spearheads the refining of LG’s management philosophy, Creating Value for Customers, stressing the importance of delivering exceptional customer experiences. Through this customer-first approach, and his dedication to fostering a company-wide culture of diversity and inclusion, Mr. Koo is fulfilling his responsibilities to key stakeholder groups, and contributing to the realization of a better society.

Prior to his current role, Koo was head of LG Electronics’ high-growth information displays business. He was also part of LG Corp.’s Synergy Team, responsible for capital allocation across the LG’s business portfolio, acquisitions, and strategic external relations.

Madeleine K. Albright is a professor, author, diplomat and businesswoman who served as the 64th Secretary of State of the United States. Dr. Albright received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Obama on May 29, 2012.

In 1997, Dr. Albright was named the first female Secretary of State and became, at that time, the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. As Secretary of State, Dr. Albright reinforced America’s alliances, advocated for democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade, business, labor, and environmental standards abroad. From 1993 to 1997, Dr. Albright served as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and was a member of the President’s Cabinet. From 1989 to 1992, she served as President of the Center for National Policy. Previously, she was a member of President Jimmy Carter’s National Security Council and White House staff and served as Chief Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Edmund S. Muskie.

Dr. Albright is a Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Dr. Albright is Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm, and Chair of Albright Capital Management LLC, an investment advisory firm focused on emerging markets. She also chairs the National Democratic Institute, serves as the president of the Truman Scholarship Foundation and is Honorary Chair of the World Refugee & Migration Council.

Dr. Albright is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author. Her most recent book, Hell and Other Destinations was published in April 2020. Her other books include: her autobiography, Madam Secretary: A Memoir (2003); The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs (2006); Memo to the President: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership (2008); Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box (2009); Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 (2012), and Fascism: A Warning (2018).

Dr. Albright received a B.A. with Honors from Wellesley College, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Columbia University’s Department of Public Law and Government, as well as a Certificate from its Russian Institute. She is based in Washington, DC.

Ernest J. Moniz is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) and president of EJM Associates. The Energy Futures Initiative advances science-based solutions to climate change through evidence-based analysis, thought leadership, and coalition-building. EFI conducts rigorous research to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy through innovation in technology, policy, and business models.

He served as the 13th United States Secretary of Energy where he advanced energy technology innovation, nuclear security and strategic stability, cutting-edge capabilities for the American scientific research community, and environmental stewardship. In that role, he strengthened the Department of Energy (DOE) strategic partnerships with its seventeen national laboratories while producing energy policies that attracted bipartisan support. Since 2017, he has also served as Co-Chair and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Professor Moniz was a key architect of the Paris Agreement on climate change and Mission Innovation at COP 21. He has spearheaded international initiatives that placed energy, science, and technological innovation at the center of the global response to climate change. He also negotiated the historic Iran nuclear agreement alongside Secretary of State John Kerry. Moniz was the Founding Director of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) and Director of the Laboratory for Energy and the Environment. He received a Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in physics from Boston College, a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University, and several honorary doctorates.

Vivian Lee is an Emmy-winning TV journalist.

She anchored and reported for NY1 for 13 years on issues of vital local and national interest, including Joe Biden’s 2020 election win, Pope Francis’ historic visit to the US, and Hurricane Sandy. Vivian also hosted an arts and culture show, “Spotlight New York,” focusing on the creative landscape of the five boroughs.

Along with anchoring continuous live coverage of major breaking news elstories, she reported for 25 years from the field on breaking news stories of the day.

Vivian’s career in New York started at WNBC in 2002, where she was a general assignment reporter for six years. Before that she was CityTV Toronto’s Parliamentary Correspondent in Canada’s capital, Ottawa. She graduated with honors from Carleton University’s prestigious journalism program, and after stints as a reporter in Halifax and Ottawa, became evening news anchor in Calgary, Alberta. Before covering national affairs in Ottawa, she filed in as anchor and reported for CityPulse News.

Vivian has received numerous awards recognizing her industry and community contributions, including the 2019 Lifetime Engagement Award from the Korean American Family Service Center in New York, and a 2020 Emmy Award for her story on Joe’s Pub in Manhattan.

She lives in New York with her husband and two daughters.

RuthieAnn hails from Kaimuki in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and moved to NYC for grad school in 2005. She has played around cross-country with the LA Philharmonic (Hollywood Bowl) and Boston Pops in Sondheim On Sondheim. She has also been singing with the NY Pops, San Francisco Symphony, and the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra (S. Korea.) Most recently RuthieAnn plays Sherri Kanski, judicial assistant to Judge Lola Carmichael in CBS’ courthouse drama All Rise, making her an honorary Angelino. She also voiced the role of Mother in Netflix’s Academy Award-nominated animated feature Over The Moon.

RuthieAnn last played on Broadway in Sunday In The Park With George starring Jake Gyllenhaal and AnnaLeigh Ashford at the reopening of the historic Hudson Theatre – the oldest, and now newest, Broadway theatre house! RuthieAnn played “Lady Thiang” in the Tony Award winning revival of The King And I for which she was won the 2015 Tony Award for “Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical.” RuthieAnn is also known for originating the role of Imelda Marcos in Alex Timber’s critically acclaimed show Here Lies Love– written by David Byrne w/DJ Fat Boy Slim, for which she received two prestigious awards, the Lucille Lortel Award and the Theatre World Award. Other favorite productions include Avenue Q, Band Geeks, Two By Two, and the National tours of both Annie and Sweeney Todd (as Adolfo Pirelli – playing the accordion, flute and piano onstage.) She received her Masters in Music Performance from NYU Steinhardt.

RuthieAnn lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their mischief-making little lady. She thanks her husband, family and close friends for their love and encouragement; teacher Dr. Gill for his endless support and for being the most resonant cheerleader; and very special thanks to her mother for her guidance and sacrifice. She thanks and praises God for His providence and grace. The role of Lady Thiang continues to be dedicated to the memory of her grandmother, Wang HeeSook, the strongest, most faithful woman the family ever knew.

Henry Do
President & CEO
POSCO America Corp. (POSAM)

Cynthia and Anthony Kim

Jay Kim
Managing Director
Ankura Consulting Group

Christopher Koo
Chairman
LS Corp.

John J. Moon & Hee-Jung S. Moon

General (Ret) Skip Sharp
Former Commander of the United Nations Command,
ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and
U.S Forces Korea 

Michael Woods
CEO & COO
Big Sun Holdings Group
Black Buffalo 3D Corporation
Flash Labs Corporation