Board of Trustees
The KWA Board of Trustees brings a passionate commitment to KWA’s mission of providing social and human services to people in need. Many members have over 40 years of leadership and service experience within the organization. As a whole, the board is dedicated to seeking out new ways of transforming Western Washington communities while assuring the transparency of our operations and wise allocation of resources.
Board Chair
Myung Lae Park is an accomplished and dedicated higher education strategic leader with 30+ years of experience in serving students and faculty. She is motived by the mission to empower people to realize possibilities and thrive. Her professional experiences include serving as executive director of international education for Pierce College, executive director for global programs and partnerships, and director for institutional research at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s perspectives.” Myung strongly believes that education is the most effective way to end oppression and realize one’s full potential. Myung has an MBA from City University of Seattle and an Ed.D. from Seattle University.
Board Vice Chair
Yoni has retired from the State of Washington Government service after serving 41 years in public service. She has great customer service skills. During her stint in state government, she supervised 14 staff over 6 years as an office manager. She acted as a Korean interpreter while working for the State Government. Yoni joined KWA in 2011 as a Volunteer Committee member, and in 2014 she became the Chair of the Volunteer Committee where she led the volunteer committee and its members. In 2016, she joined the KWA Board of Trustees. She served as the Board Chair in 2020 and 2021, and currently serves as Vice Chair. She has a passion for helping people in need and is committed to being helpful in their time of need.
Board Secretary
Kyung Ja Shin, certified in teaching Korean, French, and ESL, is the lead Korean language teacher and one of the world language leads in Tacoma Public Schools. She has over 20 years of teaching experience from kindergarten to college. Not only is she passionate about world language education, she also loves serving her community. In 2014, she founded Music for the People, a charity that raises money to help others pay for their medical bills. Currently, she serves on the board of the Washington Association for Language Teaching and the National Association for Korean School Northwest Chapter. She is also the NW Chapter Chair of the Korean Language Teachers Association. She holds a M.Ed. from Seattle University.
Board Treasurer
Chongsun Abbott has served 45 years of public service, retired from the U.S. Army, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She supervised large banks and credit unions as a senior financial and compliance law examiner for 20 years. She is a certified financial fraud examiner and certified financial examiner, specializing in identifying financial fraud, analyzing complex financial conditions, and analyzing compliance requirements of financial institutions. She was also a college instructor and as a small business owner. She serves the WA Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; a Board member at the Lakewood Multicultural Coalition; and the Treasurer at the Joyful Mission Group. She holds an MBA.
Board Member, Lifelong Learning Center Chair
Kelly Liu is one of two Co-Senior Pastors of Oasis Community Church of Tacoma, a Korean American church with a vision for the next generation. Kelly’s background is in education, and she has been a teacher in both private and public schools. Kelly has served on the KWA board since 2016 as Volunteer Committee Chair, as Vice Chair for several years and is currently the Chair of KWA’s Lifelong Learning Center.
Board Member
Young Goering began her nursing career at a military hospital for 12 years before transferring to Western State Hospital in 1995. She retired in 2020 after serving 25 years at the Western State Hospital. For the past 22 years, she has served as Treasurer on the Board of the National Association for Korean School Northwest Chapter. she also served twice as President. She has been a member of the Tacoma First Baptist Church since 1987. she has served in the church as a Korean School teacher and principal for past 35 years. At KWA, Young previously served as a Volunteer Committee member for 13 years and once as Volunteer Committee Chair. She rejoined KWA Board in 2022. She holds a Science Nursing degree From NYSU.
Board Member
Kelly Sim has worked for over 25 years to improve the foster care system and is a Senior Director of Strategic Consulting for Casey Family Programs. She has a M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy and has worked as a therapist. Kelly is involved in a wide range of charitable organizations outside of KWA. She is the founder and Chair of the JSIM Hope Foundation that built and continues to expand a secondary school in Zambia. Additionally, she is a long-term Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care, she volunteers weekly at an overnight shelter for young adults, and she is an active Elder at Encounter Church. Supporting and partnering with people of all backgrounds, especially the underserved and historically oppressed, is a lifelong commitment for Kelly.
Board NominationThe board application period has ended. It will reopen in October.
