A Unique Opportunity

The Korea Society (TKS) is an independent U.S. nonprofit that promotes awareness, understanding, and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea. In pursuit of its mission, the Society creates events, exchanges, briefings, and research on topics of vital interest to both countries.

This is a time of promise and challenge for The Korea Society. Korea’s global prominence in policy, business, education, and arts and culture is experiencing geometric growth, fueling interest in all things Korea. The U.S.-Korea Alliance has never mattered more. At the same time, both countries are navigating political disruptions, economic uncertainties, and sweeping societal changes.

The Korea Society is a go-to resource on issues relevant to the U.S. and Korea, spanning policy, business, education, the arts, security, and intercultural relations. Based in New York City, TKS educates, inspires, and communicates about the U.S.-Korea relationship, serving audiences across the country directly and through outreach and strategic alliances in the U.S. and Korea. The Society raises its $5 million operating budget through contributions by individual and corporate members, corporate partners, foundations, program fees, and endowment income.

President and CEO Thomas J. Byrne will conclude a decade of distinguished leadership at the end of 2025, and the new CEO will start on January 1, 2026. The Korea Society is fortunate to have an engaged, influential Board of Directors, led by Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens. Board members are current and former leaders in business, the military, academia, government and public affairs. The Advisory Council is comprised of leading public figures in Korea and the U.S.

Build public profile and presence The CEO will be a visible, frontline external representative able to access powerful leaders in the U.S. and Korea. The CEO will:

• Be a charismatic, compelling, persuasive face of the Society.
• Advance the organization’s relationship-building, communications, storytelling, media, and social media capabilities.
• Deploy marketing, branding, and audience development strategies.
• Foster external partnerships that augment TKS’s work and impact.
• Expand in-person, virtual, quantitative and qualitative audiences for TKS offerings, events, and messages in NYC, DC, and beyond

Grow resources and membership.The CEO will increase and diversify funding and members. The CEO will:

• Broaden, deepen, and diversify funding relationships, leveraging current and new connections in the U.S. and Korean communities.
• Cultivate corporate, foundation, and major donor relationships, support, and revenue-generating partnerships.
• Grow both philanthropic and earned revenue opportunities.
• Build corporate and individual membership, enhancing the value proposition, offerings, and benefits.

The Organization

The Korea Society traces its roots to 1957. A group of prominent Americans, led by General James A. Van Fleet, who commanded the U.S. armed forces in the final phase of the Korean War, established the first U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting friendly relations between the people of the U.S. and Korea "through mutual understanding and appreciation of their respective cultures, aims, ideals, arts, sciences, and industries."

The New York-based U.S.-Korea Society and the DC-based U.S.-Korea Foundation merged in June 1993, to form The Korea Society as it exists today.

TKS has grown in size and scope in recent years. It has a staff of 19 and a budget of $5 million, with programs generating thousands of impressions and hundreds of in- person participants. The Society advances vibrant U.S.- Korea ties and engagement through initiatives and programs that include policy, business, education, and arts and culture:

• Policy: The Society organizes programs that address important strategic issues around the U.S.-Korea Alliance, such as denuclearization diplomacy, Korea’s regional relations, and North Korea’s challenges.
• Business & Economics: Programs advance awareness, understanding, and focus on U.S.-Korea business and build connections among leaders in government, business, finance and other fields with prominence in the U.S.-Korea relationship. Economic, trade, and technology policies are key topics.
• Education: The Society offers events and resources to support Korean Studies educators, plus a Korean Language Program that provides eight levels of Korean study. The Society’s longest-running program, Project Bridge, is an academic year enrichment program for select high school youth ambassadors.
• Arts & Culture: Programs include exhibitions, performances, and lectures on traditional and contemporary Korean culture, such as literature, K-pop, films, and cuisine.
• Special Events: The Korea Society’s development team hosts special events, including an annual gala dinner that raises significant funds, a golf tournament, Global Financial Leaders Forum, membership events, the Start Up Program, and Young Professionals' Night.

The Candidate

TKS seeks a President & CEO who is experienced and respected in U.S. and Korean contexts. The board is open to candidates with diverse skill sets including relevant corporate, nonprofit, government, military, or academic backgrounds. In addition to these assets and passion for the mission and work of TKS, the ideal candidate will bring a background that includes:

Professional Experience

• Leadership experience, vision, and strategic acumen
• Organizational and change management
• Fundraising
• Business and budgeting acumen
• Culture-building
• External representation including traditional and social media, public speaking, and presentation skills in the U.S. and internationally
• Marketing, awareness building, and audience engagement
• Demonstrated success in diverse cultural settings, including U.S. and Korean contexts

Personal Assets

• Personal enthusiasm for the mission and growth potential of TKS
• Gravitas and a dynamic, inspiring personality
• An innovative, entrepreneurial approach to ideas and solutions
• High emotional intelligence, listening, and relationship-building skills
• Communication, storytelling, and persuasion skills
• Self-confidence and humility
• A collaborative, inclusive, welcoming demeanor that values and centers people
• Ability to build consensus, and to make and sustain tough calls
• Passion for teambuilding, mentoring, and lifting up others
• Competency with technology

The Location

The Korea Society is based in midtown New York City. The President and CEO is expected to live in the New York metropolitan area and work daily in the Society’s mid-Manhattan office.

The CEO will travel to Korea, and to TKS program locations and meetings with funders across the U.S.

The Compensation

A competitive compensation package of salary and full benefits will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate. Anticipated base compensation is between $285,000-$325,000, with a potential annual performance bonus.

For potential consideration or to suggest a prospect, please email:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or call Kathy Bremer or Patti Kish at 404-262-7392