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BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2009
Members of the Board of Trustees are advocates, ambassadors and advisers to the Korean Women's Association. As a group, they volunteer hundreds of hours of service to the KWA each year. Currently, the Korean Women's Association Board of Trustees consists of seventeen members.
The Korean Women's Association board meetings are held once every month at the KWA Community Center Board Room.
Click on the Board Member's name below to see their bio.
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Sul Ja Warnick - Chair
Has been with the Korean Women's Association since 1977. She has two B.A.'s, one in English Literature from Hyo Sung Women's University, Korea, and another in Library Science from Yonsei University, Korea. She is certified by the Seattle Pacific University as a Bilingual Education Teacher. She has much experience in English as a Second Language Teaching (ESL). Sul Ja is currently teaching ESL at Baker Middle School in the Tacoma School District, where she has been teaching since 1979. She was also an ESL teacher for Pierce College from 1977 to 1981. At the time, Sul Ja was on the board of multiple organizations. Some of these include, the Asian Forum, since 1988, the Chinese Reconciliation Project, since 1993, and the Tacoma Sister City Council, since 1992. Sul Ja was a past board member of the Washington state commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. She is also the property owner of multiple rental units. Ms. Warnick is a very devoted and dignified individual, especially amidst the Asian Pacific American community.
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Ki Yul McDonald - Vice Chair
Has been in the Korean Women's Association (KWA) since 1994. She was President of KWA in 2003. Ki Yul was born in Seoul, Korea. She graduated High School in 1967. She then moved on to work in the Bank of Korea until 1981, after which, she flew to America to get married to her husband, and had a son. Ki Yul worked for the American Express Bank for a couple of years, then did office work for the U.S. government in Seoul, Korea. When she returned to the U.S., she worked as a store manager, salesman for Kay Jewelers, and an account executive for the News Group up until 2002. Ki Yul has rightfully earned her reputable position within the commonwealth.
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Pia Hong Seeger - Secretary
Born raised and educated in Seoul, Korea. A graduate of the National Theatre School of Performing Arts, Seoul, Korea, she was a professional dancer, assistant director, and instructor with the Sa Im Dong Dance Troupe. International performances took her to countries throughout Asia and North America. Pia became a citizen of the United States in 1978 and addition to the State of Washington she has lived in Hawaii, California and Nebraska. Pia became a member of KWA upon moving to Washington in 1994. She has served as Editor, KWA Annual Yearbook (1999-2000), Chief of Staff, KWA (2001), Vice President, KWA (2003), President, KWA (2004), Board of Trustees, KWA (2004-present). Pia is a member of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Tacoma, WA and hold a life membership with the National Theatre Association for the Promotion of the Arts, Seoul, Korea. A former alternate member of the City Arts Commission, Federal Way, WA Pia remains active in community events. She has taught Korean Language, Culture and Arts, in the Korean Catholic School, Tacoma, WA since 1994. She also has been a resident artist since 1996 of Northwest Folklife Association with Washington School Districts. Pia remains active in her chosen profession as founder/director of Pia Hong-Seeger Korean Dance Troupe.
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Chong Dameron - Treasurer
- Member of KWA since 1991.
- President of KWA in 1998.
- President of Washington Korean Chamber of Commerce in 2003.
- Vice Chairman of the Board of KWA from 2004-2005.
- Chairman of the Board of KWA from 2006-2007.
- 2008 Senior City Low Income Housing Project: Committee Chairman.
- Member of the Advisory Peaceful Unification
Business: Building Services Contractor since 1983 with business in seven states, employing over 400 employees.
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Kyong Suyk Arbeeny - Auditor
Began her association with the Korean Women’s Association (KWA) in 1989. Her long and distinguished service as a life member of KWA’s Board of Directors has included executive positions of Vice President (1989), President (1994) and her current position as Board Chairwoman. Prior to arriving in the United States, Ms. Kim-Arbeeny was employed in Korea by the United States Army – Korean Intelligence Support System. For a period of ten (10) years, Ms. Kim-Arbeeny worked at the Herrmann Law Firm as their Korean translator, office manager and most importantly, the Korean community representative. In 1995, Ms. Kim-Arbeeny served as Treasurer of the Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification of Republic of Korea. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. In partnership with Evergreen State College, Ms. Kim-Arbeeny published “Washington Citizen’s Legal Rights” as an informational publication for immigrants newly arriving in the United States and first generation Koreans. Ms. Kim-Arbeeny’s main goal was to educate the Korean community. Ms. Kim-Arbeeny currently is the owner of Evergreen Consulting, a consulting business. In addition, she is a licensed real estate investor. Ms. Kim-Arbeeny is highly regarded in the Korean community as a successful business leader and continues to serve the Korean-American community with distinction.
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Sugin Crow - Auditor
Joined the Korean Women's Association in 1986 as President of the organization, and has been active as a director since then. She graduated from Knapp college in 1980 from a course in clerical bookkeeping and accounting as the top of her class, attended Pierce College for English Composition and computer courses, and studied at the ERA Real Estate School where she received a real estate license in 1991. Currently, she is a self employed owner and manager of Andante Espresso Deli, located in Tacoma, which was opened in 1983. She also has extensive knowledge in rental property management. From 1972 to 1992, Sugin and her husband owned and managed a motel, two duplexes, a 4-plex, a single family home, and a commercial property. She is an active member of the Pharmacist Auxilary Association of Pierce County. Religiously, Sugin has been an active Deacon in the Korean Church for over 23 years. Sugin is successful because she does not take work lightly.
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Dori Synn - Auditor
Has been with the Korean Women's Association since 1988. Holding volunteer positions as President, Library Director, and Vice-Chair Board. A business owner since 1981 and currently operating House of Jade since 1993. Dori Synn's dedication to the community is valuable to the operations of Korean Women's Association.
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Christina Donato - Minutes Reporter
Has considerable experience as an educator. She specializes in English as a second language (ESL). Christina has a B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literature from the Washington State University. She started as an instructor for a Tacoma German Language School in 1974, for two years. Christina has 20 years as an ESL Language Specialist. She co-authored the "District ESL Curriculum Guide" for Tacoma Schools in 1990. She served as a Pacific Lutheran University contractor for their ESL certification program from 1995 to 1997. For three years afterwards, she was elected citizen representative to the Curriculum Advisory Committee in the University Place School District. Ms. Donato became a Trainer for Washington State's Essential Learnings "Writings Toolbox" in 1998. She then worked as a Clinical Supervisor for the Tacoma Community College pilot community service program for two years. In 1999, Christina won the U.S. Office of Education "First Book" grants award, one of only two in Tacoma Public Schools. She currently works as a Community jobs placement Advisor for the Tacoma Community House. Christina certainly has much experience and many qualifications, which could not have been achieved without hard work and effort.
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Sandra Englund - Minutes Reporter / DV Sherlter Project Alternate
Currently serves as an Energetic/Enthusiastic IT Project Manager in Boeing Company. She served Boeing Company since 1989. Graduated American InterContinental University: Bachelors of Information Technology, April, 2004 graduated with the Summa Cum Laude. She also attended North Seattle Community College (Executive Secretary) for 3 years. Earned Rilos Engineering School, CATIA V5 Advanced Certificate in 12/2003, graduated University of Washington Certificate Program, Seattle, WA and received Unix Systems Administration Certificate: Network Certificate, UNIX Administration, University of Washington, NT Administration Certificate. Also received SUN System Administration Certificate and VMS Network Management certificate. Recently she earned Dale Carnegie Leadership Certificate in 2007.
Besides her regular job at the Boeing Company, IT Project Manager, she has been actively involving many community services as a Korean Women's Association of Washington, Board Member, Korean American Coalition of Washington, Board Member, Korean American of Tacoma, Washington Association, Board Member, and Boeing Asian American Professional Association, Membership Drive Chairperson. She served as a President for the Korean Women's Association of Washington in 2007.
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Agnes Park - Senior Services
| 1964 |
Seoul Adventist Sam Yook Nursing College graduated |
| 1965 |
Mid - Wifery course finished. |
| 1970 - 1972 |
BS Pollack Hospital for Chest Disease as a
graduate Nurse in New Jersey |
| 1972 - 1977 |
Fairfield Nursing Home Worked as an RN in New York |
| 1977 - 1980 |
Worked at V.A Hospital as an RN in Montrose, New York |
| 1983 - 2002 |
Worked Park's Medical Clinic on 9312 So. Tacoma Way
in Tacoma, WA |
| 2005 |
President of Korean Women's Association |
| 2005 - 2007 |
NUAC Advisory Committee Member |
| 2006 - Present |
KWA Board Member |
| 2008 |
Board member of Tacoma Philharmonic.
Playing Piano, Accordion and Cello as a hobby.
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Ok Sun Wilson - International Place Housing
A proud teacher at Tacoma Schools since September 15, 1976 and Tacoma resident since 1968. She joined the Korean Women's Association in 1976 as the Director of Education, and has been active in the organization since. She was the Director of Education from 1975 to 1980, the Vice President in 1981 and 1982, the Founder of the Korean Language School for KWA in 1982, the President in 1983, 1984, and 1987, the Board Chair in 1988, the Board of Director since 1989, the Construction Chair of the KWA Community Services Center from 2001 to 2003, and the Treasurer of the Board in 2003. She has also been active in other various organizations. She was the President of the Korean-American Association of Tacoma in 1994 and a member of Advisory Council since 1995. She was also the Director of After School Program for the Youth in Korean Community. She was a Chair of the Pierce County Ethnics Commission in 1993 and 1994 and the Tacoma Sister Cities Council Vice Chair in 2003. She was the President of the Korean-US Citizens Association of WA in 1993, and Chairman of Tacoma-Kun San Sister City Council. Ok Sun graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a B.A. in Sociology in 1979, attended Seattle Pacific University for her Teacher Certificate which was received in 1979, and studied at Ehwa Women's University. She has been a realtor under the Pierce County Board of Realtors Association since 1994. Ok Sun has undoubtedly made a name for herself within the Asian Pacific American populace.
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Jennie Lee - Orchard Project
Has been an active member of the Korean Women’s Association since 1981. She has served the KWA in many capacities including Community Service Department Head in 1983, Director of KWA Library in 1986, Auditor in 1987, KWA General Secretary in 1988, Advisory Council member from 1993 to 2000, and a Board of Directors member since 1989. She has held many positions within the Board including the Chair in 1991 and she is currently the HUD Director.
Jennie is also very active in her church. She has been attending Federal Way Mission Church since 1981 and she has served as a deacon for more than 30 years. She has been the church’s Women Ministry President and also helped establish the Women’s Choir.
Jennie immigrated to Guam, USA in 1974 and settled in Washington in 1981. She and her husband ran a small business in Tacoma from 1981 to 1992. She has three children and three grandchildren. She is a devoted mother and is a recipient of the Joong Ang Daily News Great Parent Award. Jennie is a dedicated Korean American community member, an experienced business woman, and a loving mother and grandmother.
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Maria Hwang - Pacific Villa Housing
Has been involved with the Korean Women's Association since 1984. She has held various positions within the organization, such as Education Department Officer in '97, Secretary General in '98, Vice President in '99, President in 2000 and Vice Chair in 2003. She is very experienced in the education field as a Korean language and Elementary school teacher. A retired teacher for Tacoma Public schools where she taught second grade from 1977 to 1998, Maria received her Teaching Certificate (K-12) from Seattle Pacific University. Additionally, Mrs. Hwang's professional experience includes working for the Department of the Army, Chaplain Office- Korea as Administrative Assistant, various Korean Language and English schools. Maria has accumulated a considerable amount of wisdom from her many years as an educator and active community member.
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Susan Koh - Community Volunteer Council
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