Sunia is the founder and president of OMIJA.

A Korean American transracial adoptee, artist, facilitator, and community builder, Sunia has more than 25 years of experience creating spaces for healing, belonging, and transformation. She founded OMIJA so adoptees would not have to navigate identity, grief, and reunion alone.

Susan (김가인) is co-founder of Omija Yeohaeng. She serves as a guiding team member for this group as well as Omija Women for KADs and Omija Ibyeol (for KADs in reunion who have experienced birth family loss). She was found and contacted by her mother as an early teen, and in active reunion since 2010. Susan values being part of Omija groups for the validation, empowerment, and non-judgmental support they provide.

My name is Nori Lowe Henk. I currently reside in NorCal with my partner and two kids. I started getting involved in the KAD community because of my kids, to help them connect to their Korean roots, but I have to come realize that I need this community, too. In particular, spending time with Korean American Adopted women has been special, powerful, cogent, emotional. We are far from being alone in our experiences while at the same time our support group celebrates a diversity of unique experiences.  I hope you feel a sense of belonging in this space, too. 

I’m Stacey Fargnoli (Kim Mi Ok), a freelance writer, living in Los Angeles with my husband and two boys. Disconnected from my heritage most of my adult life, this group has given me an unexpected and deeply-rooted sense of belonging. I’m learning all the time from these kind, brilliant, strong Korean American Adoptee Women. It’s an honor to be among them. 

I'm Joy Pankratz (Nitu).
Connecting and networking with others is a high value of mine. It's an absolute gift to be a part of authentic connection with fellow adoptees of Asian heritage. I didn't realize how sacred and healing this space could be until it was held out for me. I cherish curating this sweet environment as we collectively move through all the intense nuances of being an adoptee.
My husband and I have two sons, we live a life of adventure in Southwestern Colorado. 

Lee is a Korean transracial adoptee and a guiding team member of Omija Yeohaeng: KADs in Reunion. Passionate about the KAD community, he finds inspiration and purpose in connecting with other KADs on a shared journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and healing. Through authentic, open sharing, Lee has cultivated a stronger sense of belonging and identity. 

Nathan (이효상) is a Korean adoptee and a guiding team member of Omija Yeohaeng. Adopted to the United States when he was four months old, he became engaged with the Korean Adoptee Community and Omija Yeohaeng when seeking resources for his reunion with his birth mother. What he discovered was a far richer picture: that our journeys resist simple narratives and that we can show up for one another in as many ways as there are stories. He is drawn to spaces that cultivate connection, authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage to be seen. Nathan and his wife live in New York City.

I’m Aimee (송영미). I am energized by supporting and building community, perks if food is involved. I enjoy being and auntie, connecting people with resources, learning new things, traveling to new places, meeting new people, and trying new foods. I’m located in the Washington, D.C. metro area and am involved in other local adoptee organizations. It’s a privilege to support others navigating their adoptee journeys. 

Larissa (송정혜 ) 

Adopted from Korea at 5.5 months old, oldest child with 3 younger siblings that are biological to her adoptive parents (AP). Married to a trans-racial adoptee. Mother to four adult-aged bio-children. She credits cooking Korean food, reading books, and drinking soju as instrumental in her journey of understanding what it means to be a KAD. However - self-discovery pales in comparison to the wonderful relationships and insights gained from participation in support groups like Omija Yeohaeng. It is an honor to be a supportive sister to fellow adoptees. Larissa is also involved with several KAD organizations in Minnesota.