Meet the people behind AKA-LA
Heather Gromley
Heather was adopted as an infant from Seoul to her family in central Illinois. Growing up, she wasn’t interested in Korean culture despite her parents’ best efforts. She later came out of the fog as an adult after moving to Los Angeles, being introduced to BTS, joining AKA-LA, and reconnecting (in 2018) with her birth family. She has since made more trips to Korea, and the country has become one of her favorite places to travel to. Now, she looks forward to making future trips with her husband and toddler. In addition to a career in finance, and nonprofit experience, Heather works as a TV/Film writer focusing on the complexities and comedy of adoption, identity, and intergenerational female relationships. Previously, Heather sat on the AKA-LA board in 2023 as the Communication Chair and she is excited to be back.
President
Rebecca Whitehead
Rebecca is a mixed Korean domestic adoptee based in Riverside, CA, a city with a foundational role in Korean American history. Throughout her childhood, Rebecca was exposed to bits and pieces of Korean culture through attending Korean church. At 13, she planted the seeds of her original family reunion on Facebook, and at 23 was in contact with the majority of her maternal family. Years later she found AKA-LA through social media and it soon became one of her support systems in navigating adoptee identity, reunion, grief and cultural reconnection. Rebecca balances her is currently an Asian American Studies major at Riverside City College.
Vice President
Lucas Lund
Lucas was adopted when he was a little over six-months old to a family in rural Minnesota. He grew up with one adopted sister but was not exposed to much Korean culture for most of his life. As he grew up, he found a love of food and how it is a common thread and connector of people. He also works as a mental health therapist and is honored to serve on the board of AKA-LA where he continues his process of integrating into the adoptee community.
Secretary
Kate Manthei
Kate was adopted around two years old and grew up in both Michigan and California without many Korean adoptee influences. She didn’t begin exploring that part of her identity until her late teens when questions about adoption, identity, and belonging started to feel more present. Later, she began to really process the emotional impact of adoption and a trip to Korea deepened both her curiosity and connection to her roots. As a psychotherapist, she loves holding space for people to feel heard, validated, and supported. For her, AKA‑LA provides a place to connect with other adoptees and celebrate shared identity.
Treasurer
Annie Wiltzer
Annie was adopted as an infant and raised in Michigan where she grew up with little connection to Korean culture or community. It was becoming a fan of BTS that marked a turning point in her life and opened the door to learning about Korean culture, history, and language. Equally transformative was connecting with the Korean adoptee community in Los Angeles, where she found shared experiences and a powerful sense of belonging. As a board member, she is passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where all adoptees feel seen, welcomed, and supported in their unique journeys.
Board Member
Aryf was adopted to Sweden at 12½ months old to an Indian father and Swedish mother. He lived in Vällingby (in Stockholm) before moving to Canada at 10. Due to a multi-cultured and traveled life, he has always felt he has several 'homes' and cultures he belongs to. In his free time he dedicates himself to music and photography projects that drive collaboration and widening communities. He is very appreciative of the AKA-LA community, where he continues to hear stories of discovery, resilience, healing, friendships, belonging and simply joy for being connected to others.
Board Member
Aryf Hussain
Cam Anderson
Cam was adopted at age four and grew up living in Washington State with extended family spread across both Washington and the Midwest. He grew up with various connections to Korean culture including cultural camps, language lessons, and friendships with both Korean nationals and second generation Korean Americans. Like many other adoptees, Cam continues to work towards understanding his unique KAD journey. When asked his thoughts on AKA-LA, Cam responded saying, “What continually inspires me is AKA-LA’s practice of support and inclusion which opens pathways for Korean adoptees to find connection and belonging."
Board Member
Charlie M
Charlie was adopted when he was a few months old and was raised in Hawaii before moving to rural Georgia, where he grew up with limited exposure to Korean culture outside of his Korean mother. He did not learn that he was adopted until adulthood and discovering the reality later in life reshaped his understanding of himself, his family, and his past. Charlie moved to California in 2021 and is active in the Korean adoptee community and is honored to serve on the AKA-LA Board, where he hopes to contribute to the continued growth of the AKA-LA community.
Board Member