LiNK STAFF
Executive Leadership Team
Hannah Song, President/CEO
Hannah joined LiNK in 2004 as Deputy Director, managing day-to-day operations and coordinating overseas programs, safe houses and shelters, underground railroad activities, and fact-finding missions. Focusing on refugee needs, Hannah established LiNK's refugee shelter in Southeast Asia and implemented “Liberty House,” a refugee resettlement initiative in the US and South Korea. In 2008, Hannah became President/CEO, now managing LiNK out of its headquarters office in California. She travels the world to talk about the North Korea crisis and advocates for the rights of North Korean refugees to government officials and institutions. She continues to direct all overseas, underground and field operations while working closely with LiNK's staff to build an unprecedented movement that advocates for the lives of North Koreans.
Hannah joined LiNK in 2004 as Deputy Director, managing day-to-day operations and coordinating overseas programs, safe houses and shelters, underground railroad activities, and fact-finding missions. Focusing on refugee needs, Hannah established LiNK's refugee shelter in Southeast Asia and implemented “Liberty House,” a refugee resettlement initiative in the US and South Korea. In 2008, Hannah became President/CEO, now managing LiNK out of its headquarters office in California. She travels the world to talk about the North Korea crisis and advocates for the rights of North Korean refugees to government officials and institutions. She continues to direct all overseas, underground and field operations while working closely with LiNK's staff to build an unprecedented movement that advocates for the lives of North Koreans.
Justin Wheeler, Vice President of Global Awareness
Justin oversees LiNK's awareness department providing vision for the grassroots and nurturing the growth of LiNK’s "Movement." His passion and experience working in the social sector contribute to his unconventional and revolutionary ideas for bringing change to this issue. He frequently travels to speak about the strength and impact of grassroots movements, and meets with refugees in the underground to document and hear their stories. Prior to joining LiNK, Justin worked at Invisible Children, a non-profit organization that documents stories about war-affected children in east Africa.
Justin oversees LiNK's awareness department providing vision for the grassroots and nurturing the growth of LiNK’s "Movement." His passion and experience working in the social sector contribute to his unconventional and revolutionary ideas for bringing change to this issue. He frequently travels to speak about the strength and impact of grassroots movements, and meets with refugees in the underground to document and hear their stories. Prior to joining LiNK, Justin worked at Invisible Children, a non-profit organization that documents stories about war-affected children in east Africa.
Andy Kim, Internal Operations and Development
Andy comes with over 6 years of experience in the social sector, specializing in the ideation and execution of new initiatives. Since coming on staff with LiNK in the beginning of 2009, Andy has grown to oversee all of the day to day operations of the organization. From designing and implementing organizational systems, procedures, and protocols to ensuring that the staff and programs are sustainable, effective and growing. Andy also works to build and nurture strategic business relationships and pursues development opportunities for the organization.
Andy comes with over 6 years of experience in the social sector, specializing in the ideation and execution of new initiatives. Since coming on staff with LiNK in the beginning of 2009, Andy has grown to oversee all of the day to day operations of the organization. From designing and implementing organizational systems, procedures, and protocols to ensuring that the staff and programs are sustainable, effective and growing. Andy also works to build and nurture strategic business relationships and pursues development opportunities for the organization.
Internal Operations
Amiee Kim, HR/Recruitment Manager
A local Southern Californian, Amiee prides herself in finding the best eateries in town before Yelp and other food blogs make them a chaotic frenzy. A UCLA graduate with a BA in International Development Studies, Amiee is a world traveler having spent time working with Liberian refugees in Ghana. Having had worked for both large and small humanitarian ngo’s, Amiee brings with her past experiences that benefit our team at LiNK. Amiee’s attention to detail and trained sense for organization makes her a great addition as she works to support the staff and bring others to engage with the cause.
A local Southern Californian, Amiee prides herself in finding the best eateries in town before Yelp and other food blogs make them a chaotic frenzy. A UCLA graduate with a BA in International Development Studies, Amiee is a world traveler having spent time working with Liberian refugees in Ghana. Having had worked for both large and small humanitarian ngo’s, Amiee brings with her past experiences that benefit our team at LiNK. Amiee’s attention to detail and trained sense for organization makes her a great addition as she works to support the staff and bring others to engage with the cause.
Sean Hines, Recurring Donations Manager
Sean came to join our team all the way from Tennessee and enjoys the thrills of traveling. Before joining LiNK Sean spent most of his free time writing and performing music and working at various music venues. After hearing about the crisis that exists in North Korea today he went on to tour the westcoast region as a LiNK Nomad twice. Now as our Recurring Donations Manager he spends most of his time overseeing the 9 LiVES recurring donation campaign and nurturing relationships with our 9 LiVES donors.
Sean came to join our team all the way from Tennessee and enjoys the thrills of traveling. Before joining LiNK Sean spent most of his free time writing and performing music and working at various music venues. After hearing about the crisis that exists in North Korea today he went on to tour the westcoast region as a LiNK Nomad twice. Now as our Recurring Donations Manager he spends most of his time overseeing the 9 LiVES recurring donation campaign and nurturing relationships with our 9 LiVES donors.
Movement Department
Ryan Downer, Lead Film Maker
Ryan, a native of beautiful Northern California (for both its land and its people), meets the need for LiNK's creative output. As the lead filmmaker, he adds moving pictures to the stories and startling visuals to the emotion found within the North Korea crisis. Having traveled to many countries; Africa, France, Spain, China, and South Korea; Ryan draws influences equally from internal and external sources including music, handmade crafts, and Asian cuisine. Before joining LiNK, Ryan studied at Otis Art and Design and previously owned a small design and production studio.
Ryan, a native of beautiful Northern California (for both its land and its people), meets the need for LiNK's creative output. As the lead filmmaker, he adds moving pictures to the stories and startling visuals to the emotion found within the North Korea crisis. Having traveled to many countries; Africa, France, Spain, China, and South Korea; Ryan draws influences equally from internal and external sources including music, handmade crafts, and Asian cuisine. Before joining LiNK, Ryan studied at Otis Art and Design and previously owned a small design and production studio.
Tony Sasso, Graphic Designer
Tony’s keen aesthetic sense and his disciplined approach to design makes him a great addition to the creative team here at LiNK and will undoubtedly help us towards our mission. A recent graduate of Flager College, with a BA in Graphic Design Tony offers a fresh perspective. Tony works to build and further develop LiNK’s brand through print and web presence.
Tony’s keen aesthetic sense and his disciplined approach to design makes him a great addition to the creative team here at LiNK and will undoubtedly help us towards our mission. A recent graduate of Flager College, with a BA in Graphic Design Tony offers a fresh perspective. Tony works to build and further develop LiNK’s brand through print and web presence.
Leah Garrard, Regional Manager
Leah was born and raised in North Carolina and earned a degree in Sociology at the University of North Carolina. Before touring the heartland of America as a LiNK Nomad, Leah also traveled to Germany, England, Brazil, Mexico and Uganda, and studied abroad in Turkey and Scotland.
Leah was born and raised in North Carolina and earned a degree in Sociology at the University of North Carolina. Before touring the heartland of America as a LiNK Nomad, Leah also traveled to Germany, England, Brazil, Mexico and Uganda, and studied abroad in Turkey and Scotland.
Brenda Abel, Regional Manager
A native Californian, Brenda enjoys songwriting, and playing music when not managing LiNK Nomads who are sent across the nation to raise awareness about the human rights crisis in North Korea and charged with raising funds to further LiNK’s mission. Before coming on board with LiNK as a Regional Manager, Brenda toured the northeast as a LiNK Nomad and can speak first hand about the challenges and deep fulfillment that comes with being a Nomad. Brenda is excited to continue her work with LiNK as she works to push our mission forward.
A native Californian, Brenda enjoys songwriting, and playing music when not managing LiNK Nomads who are sent across the nation to raise awareness about the human rights crisis in North Korea and charged with raising funds to further LiNK’s mission. Before coming on board with LiNK as a Regional Manager, Brenda toured the northeast as a LiNK Nomad and can speak first hand about the challenges and deep fulfillment that comes with being a Nomad. Brenda is excited to continue her work with LiNK as she works to push our mission forward.
Megan Rhodes, Chapter Coordinator
As Chapter Coordinator, Megan oversees our Chapters program and serves as the liaison between HQ and LiNK Chapters in schools and communities everywhere. She works with Chapters to organize group fundraising initiatives and makes sure that they are engaged and active. Megan is a North Carolina native and has a degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She loves to travel and has worked, visited, and lived in over 20 countries so far with no plans of slowing down. After teaching English in South Korea and directly working with North Korean refugees, she realized that she wanted to be a part of the solution and thus came on board with LiNK.
As Chapter Coordinator, Megan oversees our Chapters program and serves as the liaison between HQ and LiNK Chapters in schools and communities everywhere. She works with Chapters to organize group fundraising initiatives and makes sure that they are engaged and active. Megan is a North Carolina native and has a degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She loves to travel and has worked, visited, and lived in over 20 countries so far with no plans of slowing down. After teaching English in South Korea and directly working with North Korean refugees, she realized that she wanted to be a part of the solution and thus came on board with LiNK.
Chelsea Quinn, Booking Coordinator
Chelsea, a recent University of South Florida graduate and former LiNK Nomad who knew she had to further her involvement in bringing an end to the North Korean crisis and joined LiNK's movement staff where she now works in assisting to book LiNK's national awareness tours. Chelsea has always had a deep love for all people and sees herself continuing to work in the non-profit field, striving to better the world, one person at a time.
Chelsea, a recent University of South Florida graduate and former LiNK Nomad who knew she had to further her involvement in bringing an end to the North Korean crisis and joined LiNK's movement staff where she now works in assisting to book LiNK's national awareness tours. Chelsea has always had a deep love for all people and sees herself continuing to work in the non-profit field, striving to better the world, one person at a time.
Bridget Doerr, Booking Coordinator
Bridget joined LiNK in Summer 2010 as a Nomad touring the southeast United States. After going on tour she was inspired to continue her work with LiNK, and came on board in 2011 as a part of the Movement department; assisting in booking LiNK's national awareness tours. Before touring with LiNK, Bridget worked tutoring and mentoring refugees in Missouri and volunteered at an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. She hopes to continue her work in the non-profit field to be a voice for those whose voices are silenced.
Bridget joined LiNK in Summer 2010 as a Nomad touring the southeast United States. After going on tour she was inspired to continue her work with LiNK, and came on board in 2011 as a part of the Movement department; assisting in booking LiNK's national awareness tours. Before touring with LiNK, Bridget worked tutoring and mentoring refugees in Missouri and volunteered at an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. She hopes to continue her work in the non-profit field to be a voice for those whose voices are silenced.
Field Operations
Angeline, Director of Field Operations
Angeline oversees LiNK's field operations in East Asia, including Liberty House Korea, LiNK's resettlement assistance program for North Korean refugees, and any of LiNK's operations in South Korea. Her high energy also helps her run marathons...for fun.
Angeline oversees LiNK's field operations in East Asia, including Liberty House Korea, LiNK's resettlement assistance program for North Korean refugees, and any of LiNK's operations in South Korea. Her high energy also helps her run marathons...for fun.
Protection Officers
As the identities of our refugees and the whereabouts of our shelters are kept with the utmost security to ensure refugees’ protection, the identities of our Protection Officers are as well. LiNK's POs are the unsung heroes in the underground, often living in difficult conditions and challenging environments. Faced with atypical duties and demanding responsibilities, they provide protection, assistance, education, hope and courage to the refugees.
As the identities of our refugees and the whereabouts of our shelters are kept with the utmost security to ensure refugees’ protection, the identities of our Protection Officers are as well. LiNK's POs are the unsung heroes in the underground, often living in difficult conditions and challenging environments. Faced with atypical duties and demanding responsibilities, they provide protection, assistance, education, hope and courage to the refugees.