Cracking the Code: A Korean American Pioneer in Tech and Artificial Intelligence

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Eddie Ahn, Executive Director at Brightline Defense, artist, and writer of the national bestselling graphic novel Advocate. Mr. Ahn sits down with CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim to discuss his passion for graphic storytelling, his experiences leading an environmental nonprofit, and the impact of his work with underserved communities. Eddie Ahn has been an environmental justice attorney and nonprofit worker for fifteen years. While working as the executive director of Brightline Defense, a San Francisco–based environmental justice nonprofit, he was inducted into the State of California’s Clean Energy Hall of Fame for his work in equity and clean energy. In addition to his nonprofit work, he has served as president of the San Francisco Commission on the Environment as well as a commissioner on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Conservation and Development Commission. He is a self-taught artist who has been recognized as a Cartoonist-in-Residence by the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa.

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features a conversation with Songyee Yoon, a leading venture investor and strategic advisor recognized for her early and insightful bets on artificial intelligence and frontier technologies. Known for her deep understanding of both technological inflection points and global market dynamics, Songyee brings decades of experience at the intersection of AI, systems design, and product innovation. Moderated by CKA Board members Lisa Yang and Catharina Min, this conversation was part of a Women’s Affinity Group webinar series presented by CKA in 2024. Songyee Yoon is the founder and managing partner of Principal Venture Partners (PVP), a Silicon Valley-based early-stage venture firm focused on AI-native companies. Her early investment in iconic startups including Together.ai, Cartesia, and Sesame, earned her a reputation for identifying companies that will define the next generation of technological infrastructure. As president and chief strategy officer of NCSOFT, she led the company’s AI transformation and oversaw strategic investments and partnerships across North America and Asia. In addition to her investing work, Songyee advises on the future of AI policy and ethics as a member of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI (HAI) advisory council and Harvard University’s Generative AI initiative. She is also a member of the MIT Corporation and a trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and HP Inc. She served on the Presidential Advisory Council for Science and Technology in South Korea under two presidents. Songyee was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, elected to the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, and recognized among the Wall Street Journal's 50 Women to Watch in Business. Her recent book, Push Play, explores how “play” acts as a driver of innovation across disciplines—from gaming to medicine to artificial intelligence.  

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Raymond John, CEO and founder of 12+, a nonprofit organization committed to increasing educational equity by transforming school culture and supporting students beyond high school. In this inspiring conversation with Abraham Kim, President and CEO of the Council of Korean Americans, Raymond shares his journey to change the lives of thousands of Pennsylvania students. A child of Korean immigrants, Raymond John was raised in Northern Virginia and initially pursued medicine before discovering his passion for community service. His transformative experience volunteering with youth led him to create 12 Plus, which provides daily, in-school support to help students succeed beyond high school. In 2018, Raymond and partner Thu Pham founded Càphê Roasters, the first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster in Philadelphia. A portion of the profits is donated to 12 Plus, and regularly employs students from partner schools – offering them a positive workspace that fosters a learning culture that focuses on personal and professional development.

In the third episode of our season, we sit down with Dave Gibbons—pastor, author, and social innovator—for a deeply moving conversation rooted in his newly released memoir, The Shape of My Eyes: A Memoir of Race, Faith, and Finding Myself. What begins as a personal reckoning with trauma, identity, and estrangement unfolds into a powerful story of forgiveness, healing, and purpose. Dave opens up about confronting family secrets, processing personal tragedy, and navigating anxiety and spiritual awakening. Through it all, he shares how these experiences shaped his journey into leadership, ministry, and writing—offering wisdom for anyone walking through pain, seeking belonging, or trying to live authentically in turbulent times. Dave Gibbons started his career in the founding of Newsong Church, which soon became one of the fastest growing churches in America, serving thousands of congregants in a multisite format. Sensing that spirituality should not be limited to the confines of a building, he expanded his focus to the marketplace, founding multiple companies and serving as senior advisor to some of the most influential leaders in numerous domains. His clients have included NBA and NFL players, multi-billion dollar fund managers, a New York Times best selling author and platinum selling rapper, a world-leading performance artist, and the CEO of one of Hollywood’s largest film studios.  

The second episode of our season features an engaging live conversation with award-winning Korean American chefs Beverly Kim and Danny Lee, moderated by Edward Lee. Edward Lee is the celebrity chef and star of Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, Beverly Kim is a James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner of Anelya and Parachute HiFi in Chicago, and Danny Lee is acclaimed chef and restaurateur behind celebrated Washington, D.C. restaurant group The Fried Rice Collective. This fireside chat, held at the National Museum of Art, delves into the chefs' inspiring journeys and their innovative approaches to elevating Korean flavors in their culinary creations. This is more than a conversation about food—it’s a powerful dialogue about representation, creativity, and the evolving voice of Koreans in America.  

A fireside chat with JoAnne Bass, the former 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to become the highest senior enlisted leader in any U.S. military service. Moderated by CKA Board Member Debbie Shon, this live conversation was presented at the 2024 Envision Summit held in Washington, D.C. “JO” Bass grew up as a military child both stateside and overseas but calls Mililani, Oahu, Hawaii, home. The daughter of a Korean mother and a retired U.S. Army warrant officer, she enlisted in the Air Force in 1993, specializing in aviation resource management. Over her three-decade career, she shaped the development of hundreds of thousands of Airmen, championed readiness, and resilience of the force, and strengthened the connection between the military and the nation it serves. Since retiring, she continues to drive impact as a strategic advisor, executive coach, and national security expert, helping leaders across sectors meet today’s most complex challenges.

We welcome you to Season 4 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, brought to you by the Council of Korean Americans (CKA). Our podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Korean American leaders and changemakers across various sectors, including corporate, media, and political arenas. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a distinguished guest, exploring their unique journey and the broader topics that connect to their stories. This introductory episode is a brief description about what is in store for Season 4. Stay tuned!

Our seventh and final episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Jennifer Koh, Internationally-Acclaimed Violinist and Founder & Artistic Director of ARCO Collaborative. To speak with her, we have world-class concert pianist and music educator Alpin Hong as our guest host.   In this interview, Ms. Koh shares with us her many musical accomplishments as a gifted violinist and how her own family history and Chicago upbringing have shaped her tireless efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the arts.   Join us as our distinguished guests candidly discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performing arts community and explore Ms. Koh’s newly commissioned works which bring together women and other artists of color to tell their stories.

In our sixth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast features Marshall Cho, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Lake Oswego High School.   In this interview, Marshall recounts how an early career in teaching coupled with a childhood love of sports first introduced him to the world of coaching. Later, he describes his endeavors in Mozambique where he participated in high-profile international basketball programs with the NBA and Nike before returning to the States to coach players at the high school, college, and national level.   Join us as Marshall shares with us his coaching philosophy on leading with authenticity and focusing on core values which extend not only to his career but also to his life and family.

In our fifth episode of season 3 of the Korean American Perspectives Podcast, we speak with Debbie Shon, Chief Strategy Officer of USA Gymnastics, legal and political advisor, NBA registered agent, and Vice Chair of the Smithsonian National Asian Pacific American Center.   Debbie Shon is a third-generation Korean American and a woman of many firsts. In this interview, she shares with us her fond memories of growing up on USC’s campus, the towering influence of her mother, and the detours in her career that turned into surprising opportunities in law, politics, sports, and advocacy.   As we track through Debbie’s multifaceted career, she encourages young people to follow their bliss and calls upon the Korean American community to push the envelope. Much of this ethos is also reflected in her work with the Smithsonian where she believes that Asian Americans need to have their voices heard for the sake of their past, present, and future.