LiNK STAFF
Due to the sensitivity of the crisis, we are forced to hide our identity. We come from all around the world and work toward one common goal; to see freedom come to North Korea.
Executive Leadership Team
Hannah, 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, 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, Internal Operations and Development
Andy creates procedure, protocol, and training for LiNK to ensure that the staff and programs are sustainable, effective and growing. He also works to build strategic business relationships and pursues development opportunities for the organization. He enjoys anything with a story and collects all things "old."
Andy creates procedure, protocol, and training for LiNK to ensure that the staff and programs are sustainable, effective and growing. He also works to build strategic business relationships and pursues development opportunities for the organization. He enjoys anything with a story and collects all things "old."
Internal Operations
Amanda, Finance Manager
Amanda manages LiNK's budgeting, spending and financial reporting. Born and raised in southern California, Amanda studied accounting and international business at Biola University and has found that the most rewarding work is one that benefits others.
Amanda manages LiNK's budgeting, spending and financial reporting. Born and raised in southern California, Amanda studied accounting and international business at Biola University and has found that the most rewarding work is one that benefits others.
Kira, Human Resources/Office Manager
Kira helps to choose the best candidates for employment and ensures the office is in working order. Kira earned a degree in intercultural studies at Biola University. Though born and raised in Orange County, California, Kira has rarely stayed in one place - traveling to Uganda, Swaziland, Japan, Israel, South Korea and China.
Kira helps to choose the best candidates for employment and ensures the office is in working order. Kira earned a degree in intercultural studies at Biola University. Though born and raised in Orange County, California, Kira has rarely stayed in one place - traveling to Uganda, Swaziland, Japan, Israel, South Korea and China.
Movement Department
Shin, Senior Ambassador
As an Ambassador for LiNK and this issue, Shin shares his story to raise awareness, speaks before governments and international bodies, and splits his time between South Korea and the US where he is currently learning English. Shin was born and raised in Political Prison Camp No. 14, a total control zone where prisoners are not released. In 2005, he became the only North Korean to escape such a camp and, in 2006, resettled in South Korea.
As an Ambassador for LiNK and this issue, Shin shares his story to raise awareness, speaks before governments and international bodies, and splits his time between South Korea and the US where he is currently learning English. Shin was born and raised in Political Prison Camp No. 14, a total control zone where prisoners are not released. In 2005, he became the only North Korean to escape such a camp and, in 2006, resettled in South Korea.
Jesse, Art Director
Jesse helps LiNK tell the story of North Korea through creative mediums and provides the vision for LiNK's media, including print, video, web and graphic design. Prior to joining LiNK, Jesse founded a nonprofit creative community. He defines himself as a combination of artist, bike peddler and philanthropist.
Jesse helps LiNK tell the story of North Korea through creative mediums and provides the vision for LiNK's media, including print, video, web and graphic design. Prior to joining LiNK, Jesse founded a nonprofit creative community. He defines himself as a combination of artist, bike peddler and philanthropist.
Ryan, Lead Film Maker
Ryan creates motion graphics for LiNK's media and video needs and appreciates anything artsy with heart, design, photography, clever videos and music. Ryan strives to live loud because the limitations we're willing to accept will establish the boundaries of our existence.
Ryan creates motion graphics for LiNK's media and video needs and appreciates anything artsy with heart, design, photography, clever videos and music. Ryan strives to live loud because the limitations we're willing to accept will establish the boundaries of our existence.
Matthew, Regional Manager
Matt manages LiNK's awareness tours for the Heartland and Southeast regions of the US - booking screenings, training and inspiring LiNK’s nomads. Prior to joining LiNK, Matt studied Religious Studies and Exercise Science at Georgia State University and acting at Playhouse West.
Matt manages LiNK's awareness tours for the Heartland and Southeast regions of the US - booking screenings, training and inspiring LiNK’s nomads. Prior to joining LiNK, Matt studied Religious Studies and Exercise Science at Georgia State University and acting at Playhouse West.
Jennifer, Regional Manager
Jenn manages LiNK's awareness tours for the Northeast and West regions of the US. Moving around the world as an army brat, she stopped counting after her 11th move. She has ridden an elephant, fed 30 campers by making a fire in a cemetery and bungee jumped off the Nile River.
Jenn manages LiNK's awareness tours for the Northeast and West regions of the US. Moving around the world as an army brat, she stopped counting after her 11th move. She has ridden an elephant, fed 30 campers by making a fire in a cemetery and bungee jumped off the Nile River.
Leah, 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, Regional Manager
Brenda was born and raised in California and enjoys songwriting, performing and all things related to music for its ability to uniquely connect with people. Before touring the northeast as a LiNK Nomad and establishing relations with bands and artists to build LiNK's "Movement," Brenda mentored young girls and hopes to stay in the nonprofit field to impact more lives.
Brenda was born and raised in California and enjoys songwriting, performing and all things related to music for its ability to uniquely connect with people. Before touring the northeast as a LiNK Nomad and establishing relations with bands and artists to build LiNK's "Movement," Brenda mentored young girls and hopes to stay in the nonprofit field to impact more lives.
Esther, Communications Manager
Esther writes and edits content for LiNK's media, viral, public relations and translation needs, and oversees The LiNK Store. Esther studied journalism at Rutgers University and appreciates music, dance, food and colors for their ability to stir a range of emotions without saying a word.
Esther writes and edits content for LiNK's media, viral, public relations and translation needs, and oversees The LiNK Store. Esther studied journalism at Rutgers University and appreciates music, dance, food and colors for their ability to stir a range of emotions without saying a word.
Field Operations
Angeline, Seoul Liaison
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.