Dmika was adopted from Korea at the age of 3 to her family in St. Paul, Minnesota. She participated in many Korean activities growing up -- Korean Culture classes, Korean Teen Groups, and eventually found MAK (Minnesota Adopted Koreans) where she connected with a group of Korean Adoptees and later became a Board Member for the MAK group.  Her first trip to Korea was at the age of 16. Dmika later moved to California and participated in AKA-LA when it was initially formed, also volunteering on their Social Committee planning events. She eventually became a Mom and took a long break from Korean Adoptee networking, and has just in this past year reconnected with her passion in helping to build up and support the Korean Adoptee community.  She joined the AKA-LA "Board" in October 2022, but officially became a Board member in June 2023 when the AKA-LA Chapter formed.

Lucas was adopted from Korea when he was a little over six-months old to a family in Minnesota. He grew up with one adopted sister in rural Minnesota and was not exposed to much Korean culture for most of his life. Lucas moved to California for school in 2010 and has been in California on and off since then. As he grew up, he found a love of food and the way that it can be a common thread as well as a connector of people. Lucas is new to the AKA-LA community and is currently living in the Inland Empire where he works as a mental health therapist remotely. Lucas is honored to serve on the board of AKA-LA and continue his process of integrating into the adoptee community.

Kate was adopted from South Korea around the age of two and grew up in both Michigan and California. Growing up, other than her sister (non-bio, KAD), she didn’t have many Korean adoptee influences around her, so exploring that part of her identity didn’t really begin until her late teens—when questions about adoption, identity, and belonging started to feel more present. In her early twenties, she began to process a lot of the emotional impact of adoption and has continued that journey ever since. A trip to South Korea deepened her curiosity and connection to her roots. Being part of the AKA‑LA community has offered a space to connect with like-minded individuals and celebrate shared identity. Kate lives in Los Angeles and works as a psychotherapist. She loves holding space for people to feel heard, validated, and supported. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, yoga, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and occasionally diving into little art projects. She’s always up for something new and meaningful. 

Alexandra was adopted from Seoul at 3 months old. She was raised alongside her older sister who was also adopted from South Korea. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she was lucky to have proximity to Korean culture, but didn’t fully embrace it until the pandemic prompted a deeper exploration. Feeling a bit stuck, she relocated to LA in 2021. In her 30th year, she experienced a life changing trip back to Korea. This journey motivated her to seek out the KAD community and eventually take on more of a leadership role within it. Now based in Mar Vista, she brings her marketing experience to help coordinate/promote events and provide support and resources for fellow adoptees. This is her second year serving as a board member for AKA-LA.

Malee was 3 1/2 years old when she was adopted from Seoul. She grew up in Wisconsin with a sister also adopted from Korea. For most of her life she wasn’t interested in her Korean culture until, while bored during Covid, found her adoption papers. This awakened her desire to learn about her culture and embrace her Korean heritage. She also started her birth family search. This summer she and her sister are going on a Korean Heritage tour through Holt International, the agency she was adopted through. She is currently VP of International Distribution for a movie production and sales company. She is also a movie producer and is passionate about telling stories that authentically represent the adoptee and Asian experience. Malee is excited to serve on the AKA board and looks forward to connecting with the community.

Alex was adopted at 8 months old and raised near Washington D.C. Feeling like an outsider growing up, he found solace in skateboarding and punk. The COVID pandemic triggered his "coming out of the fog" moment, leading him to embrace his Korean roots and commit to learning the language and culture. In 2023, he embarked on a personal quest to search for his birth family. Alex is the VP of Design at Vanilla, a fintech startup, and a former assistant professor of graphic design. He is passionate about using design for social change and worked on impactful design projects for NYC's Housing Works, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and others. Living in Koreatown, Alex is dedicated to supporting the Korean adoptee community and serving on the Board of AKA-LA.

Rebecca is a mixed Korean domestic adoptee based in Riverside, CA. Growing up in Riverside, a city with a foundational role in Korean American history, Rebecca was exposed to bits and pieces of Korean culture through attending Korean churches throughout childhood. At 13 years old, Rebecca planted the seeds of her original family reunion with a Facebook message and at 23 was in contact with the majority of her maternal family. Years later while reuniting and reconnecting with her original family, she found AKA-LA through social media after discovering the vast adoptee community on Instagram. The AKA-LA community soon became one of her support systems in navigating adoptee identity, reunion, grief and cultural reconnection. Rebecca is currently an Asian American Studies major at Riverside City College. 

Annie was adopted from Korea as an infant and raised in Michigan, where she grew up with little connection to Korean culture or community. As a millennial who came of age alongside the rise of the internet, she often navigated identity in a time when access to diverse stories and cultural touchpoints wasn’t as immediate or widespread. It wasn’t until moving to Los Angeles over a decade ago that Annie began to explore and embrace her Korean identity more deeply. Becoming a fan of BTS marked a turning point in her journey—what started as a love for music 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. For Annie, being part of this community has meant validating the complex emotions surrounding adoption in a space where things don’t need to be explained to be understood. As a board member, she is passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where all adoptees feel seen, welcomed, and supported in their unique journeys.