Hannah joined LiNK in 2006 as Deputy Director, managing day-to-day operations and coordinating overseas programs, including underground shelters, fact-finding missions and refugee resettlement. At the end of 2008, she took over management of the organization as she became President and Chief Executive Officer.
Justin oversees all global awareness and grassroots efforts. His vision is to shift public perception on North Korea away from the politics and towards the people. Through innovative campaigns and programs, he strives to engage people around the world and create direct and meaningful ways to support the North Korean people.
Born and raised in Southern California, John comes to LiNK with a wide array of professional experience, specializing in systems implementation, process improvement, and data analysis. He holds an MBA with a concentration in finance from Azusa Pacific University, and is honored to use his education and experience to help LiNK scale its operations and effectiveness.
Annie oversees LiNK’s field operations, working with Field Coordinators and other partners in the underground to help bring North Korean refugees to safety and freedom. She joined LiNK in 2008 after working in the human rights field in the US.
Sokeel joined LiNK after working in the South Korean government, the United Nations, and diplomatic consultancy Independent Diplomat. His desire to work for the North Korean people brought him to LiNK, where he now leads all research and strategy work—building our understanding of North Korea, liaising with the media and external groups, and developing LiNK’s strategy and approach towards the issue.
Kris immigrated to the United States from South Korea when she was a teenager. She is an active member of the Korean-American community, having worked as an advocate and interpreter. She now assists North Korean refugees resettled in the US in order to empower them on their path to self-sufficiency.
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Elena graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in health and societies. During college, upon learning about the challenges that the North Korean people face, her interest in the Korean peninsula turned into action. She moved to China to work as an education consultant, to learn the language and culture, and to have a better understanding of the harsh realities that many North Koreans face. Having gained significant insight from this experience, she was inspired to find more concrete ways to help North Korean refugees. She first joined LiNK as a UPenn Rescue Team member and now works with resettled North Korean refugees to discover their strengths and help them reach their full potential.
Jihyun is from Daejeon, South Korea and completed his Masters in Liberal Arts at Lock Haven University, Pennsylvania. With a longstanding interest in North Korea, he first interned with LiNK and toured as a Cal-West Nomad. He then joined our team in South Korea as a Resettlement Coordinator to empower North Korean refugees to achieve their goals and resettle successfully in South Korea.
After graduating Ewha Womans University, Yeji first joined LiNK as a Cal West Nomad. During her tour, she was inspired by thousands of supporters from all over the world. Yeji now oversees LiNK’s English Tutoring and Cultural Exchange and Young Leaders programs to empower high-potential North Koreans. Her favorite part of her work is when she gets to tell them “Yes, you can.”
Amiee is a Southern California native and UCLA graduate in International Development. She put her degree to use working in public health in Ghana and in Washington, DC until LiNK brought her back to her hometown of Torrance, CA. She now works to sustain LiNK’s dynamic work culture and dreams up new ways to recruit other talented, bright, and tenacious individuals to this cause.
Born and raised in South Korea, Seongji has always felt a personal connection to the North Korean people. That connection evolved into a passion in college after she met resettled North Koreans. She was so inspired by them, and yet so frustrated by the heavily-politicized discussions that surrounded their home country. Knowing she needed to get involved, she first joined LiNK as an intern. Now, she works full-time to support the daily operations and employees at our office in South Korea.
Abby graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s in social work. It was there, working with refugees and learning about international issues that her passion for human rights work grew, inspiring her to intern with LiNK as a donor impact intern. She is ecstatic to be back, empowering donors all across the globe to create meaningful change.
Born and raised in Michigan, Chad studied media production and has worked independently on numerous film projects, small and large. He became involved with LiNK while living and teaching in South Korea. As a filmmaker, he hopes to convey the stories of hope that exist in the North Korean people.
Sarah was born and raised in Dallas, TX and graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in International Relations. She has experience as a former Rescue Team leader, Rescue Team intern and Northeast Nomad. Sarah now serves as a liaison between LiNK and Rescue Teams worldwide. She equips LiNK’s grassroots teams with fundraising ideas, guidance, and resources that help them reach their goals in their local communities of rescuing North Korean refugees.
Field Coordinators work in the underground, often working in challenging environments to provide protection, assistance, and hope to the North Korean refugees they serve.
