WHAT: The Network of Korean American Leaders (NetKAL) Fellowship Program, which promotes community-based leadership, is graduating its first class of 24 fellows from the Los Angeles Korean-American community. NetKAL recruits emerging Korean-American leaders from civic, political and business sectors to give them access to the resources they will need to pursue their goals, build coalitions and communicate effectively as empowered leaders at all levels of American society. With an emphasis on intercultural exchange and networking, the NetKAL program featured a series of weekend modules focused on leadership training, networking and a community-oriented group project. Prominent guests included Mayor Jun Choi, Edison, N.J.; Mayor Pro Tem Sukhee Kang, Irvine, Calif.; National Assemblyman Jong Kul Lee; Judge Tammy Chung Ryu; James Ryu, editor-in-chief of KoreAm Magazine and Peter Kang, vice president, 20th Century Fox. Sample workshop topics included, \"Leadership in Communication: Effective Teams and Presentations,\" \"Korean American Identity and Community Issues\" and \"Effective Leadership: Measuring Success.\"

WHEN: Friday, September 29, 2006
Reception begins at 6:15 p.m.
The dinner and program begin at 7 p.m.
THIS IS AN INVITATION-ONLY EVENT.

WHERE: USC Town and Gown (University Park Campus)
665 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90089

WHO: The keynote speaker will be renowned diversity expert Angela Oh, an attorney specializing in employment matters involving race and gender discrimination. Oh has traveled extensively, lecturing on leadership and race relations. Emerging as a voice of reconciliation in Los Angeles in 1992, and having served on the seven-member Advisory Board to President Clinton\'s Initiative on Race, Oh brings a combination of organizational, community and political insight to the opportunities and challenges of diversity and change. She recently published a collection of essays about the Korean-American experience entitled Open: One Woman\'s Journey.

NetKAL Class of 2006
- Joseph Ahn - Corporate State Government Relations Specialist, Northrop Grumman Corp.
- Grace Chee - History Department Faculty, Santa Monica College
- Grace Choi - Doctor of Optometry, Kaiser Permanente
- John Choi - Special Assistant to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City of Los Angeles
- Kyong Chul Choi - Associate, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker
- Ho Jeong Eun - Tax Compliance Officer, City of Los Angeles
- Hyepin Im - Founder and President, Korean Churches for Community Development
- Alexander Kim - Deputy Director/Community Liaison, Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Bennett Kim - Vice President, Apollo Real Estate Advisors
- Harry Kim - Principal, Harry Kim & Associates
- Janny Kim - Regional Executive, Southern California Edison
- Jin Ki Kim - Development Partner, Fountainhead Development
- Robert Kim - Principal, Renaissance Pacific Properties
- Jany Lee - Senior Personnel Analyst, City of Garden Grove
- Jimmy Lee - Head of Public Relations, IW Group
- Monica Macer - Staff Writer, Fox Television, \"Prison Break\"
- Charles Park - Dean of Students, Conejo Valley Unified School District
- Elise Park - Co-Founder, Map Capital
- Jason Park - Assistant Manager, Gateway Title Company
- Richard Park - Associate, Sidley Austin LLP
- Laura Shin - Contract Specialist for Homeland Security, City of Los Angeles
- Grace Yoo - Executive Director, Korean American Coalition - Los Angeles
- Jane Yoo - Founder and Executive Director, Results Research (R2)
- Edward Yoon - Partner, Yoon & Yoon

ABOUT: NetKAL is a fully sponsored program of the Center for Asian-Pacific Leadership at the University of Southern California School of Social Work, which promotes an understanding of the social, economic and political challenges facing Asian nations.

CONTACT: Cindy Monticue at 213.740.2021 or monticue@usc.edu for general media inquiries or Angela Killoren at 213.743.2062 or Killoren@usc.edu for Korean-language media.