Executive Director & Volunteer Director – Dr. David Choe

Dr. David Choe has over 30 years of experience working at leading IT companies, including Samsung Telecommunications, T-Mobile, Adaptive Broadband, and Intelligent Monitoring Systems at the senior software engineer and director levels. He earned his PhD in Computer Engineering from New Mexico State University in 1992. His vast technical experience and leadership roles have honed his business acumen and strategic decision-making abilities. Dr. Choe has always had a passion for education, serving as the Vice President of the Dallas Korean School in 2007 and the Director of the New Song Children’s Choir in 2017. He founded Light and Salt Children’s Ministry, Inc. in 2018, bringing his passion for empowering the next generation of Americans to Light and Salt Academy.

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Executive Assistant – Jinny Aum

Jinny Aum, a current teacher at the academy, has developed her administrative and educational expertise through years of experience in diverse roles. Her time at Kumon Math & Reading Center, her work in administrative roles within the Dallas Korea Baptist Theological Seminary, and her involvement with The Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America have contributed significantly to her business acumen and understanding of the unique needs of our student demographic.

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Development Director – Dr. Heewon Soh Azad

Dr. Heewon Soh Azad holds a doctorate in international education, bringing critical insights into global educational systems and the unique challenges faced by our refugee students. Additionally, she brings over 20 years of experience in finance, real estate, and non-profit management to our team. As CFO of ZAD Design and Manufacturing for 15 years, her strategic planning and financial analysis skills were instrumental in the company's growth. Her experience as a commercial real estate agent further refined her ability to navigate complex transactions. Dr. Azad is also a founding member of Light and Salt Academy, her passion for education serving as a guiding force in implementing impactful programs for underserved communities.

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Program Director – Yeonsook Choe

Yeonsook Choe earned a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from New Mexico State University in 1991 and served as a nutritionist at the New Mexico Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Her professional background in nutrition and experience in nutrition education offer unique insights that inform our proposed culinary club and the promotion of healthy eating habits among our students.

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Finance & HR Director – Joshua Choe

Joshua Choe is currently a PhD student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program at Harvard Medical School. He graduated from Columbia University in 2020, where he was an I.I. Rabi Scholar and the editor-in-chief of The Columbia University Journal of Global Health. Joshua's leadership and management experience, as well as his successful management of high-budget research projects, make him a key asset in maintaining our financial health and ensuring the well-being of our staff and volunteers.