Johng Ho Song began with KYCC in 1985 and has been the agency’s Executive Director since 1998. He is a Senior Fellow with the UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research and a Fellow with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He has an established record as a strong community leader within Koreatown and the Los Angeles nonprofit sector and was instrumental in transforming KYCC from an organization focused on the Korean American community, to one that serves all residents of the greater Koreatown community. He serves as a member of Los Angeles County Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs, Comerica Bank’s community advisory board and is past board president of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. Mr. Song received the Durfee Foundation Sabbatical in 2009 and the Durfee Foundation’s Stanton Fellowship in 2016. Mr. Song is bilingual and bicultural in English and Korean, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA. Mr. Song oversees a diverse workforce of 170 employees with an annual operating budget of over $17 million.

Joe St. John joined KYCC in 2007 as the Fiscal Manager, and was quickly promoted to Chief Operating Officer that same year. As COO, Mr. St. John is responsible for overseeing the agency’s fiscal management and operations with a $17 million operating budget as well as the Environmental Services Unit, which includes more than two dozen government contracts. Prior to joining KYCC, Mr. St. John worked as an accountant in the private sector, accumulating over 15 years of accounting experience in the entertainment, finance and real estate industries. Mr. St. John earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in 1992.

Francesca LeRúe joined KYCC in August 2020. Previously, Ms. LeRúe served as Director, Department of Family and Children Services of Santa Clara County. She oversaw a budget of over $180 million, a staff of 780 and 2,000 at-risk or abused children. Under Ms. LeRúe leadership the number of children in care was significantly lower than the national and state levels, while increasing the number of children safely at home. Prior to that, Ms. LeRúe was with Los Angeles County, Department of Children and Family Services for 27 years. Ms. LeRúe is currently a part-time instructor for University California, Davis and California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She has also served as a Master of Social Worker (MSW) Level Field Instructor at San Diego State University, University of Southern California, University California Loa Angeles, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) , and California State University, Los Angeles, and has trained hundreds of newly hired social workers from all Southern California counties. She earned her MSW from CSULB in 1994 and Master of Public Administration from CSUN in 2010.

Nayon Kang has been on staff with KYCC since 2007 as Counselor III, Clinical Services Coordinator, Clinical Services Manager, and Assistant Division Director. She currently provides oversight for Kids Town, Youth Services, Clinical Services, Prevention Education and Recovery Services. Ms. Kang’s relationship with KYCC began in 1984 when she emigrated from Korea and enrolled in KYCC’s elementary afterschool program. She later moved into the middle school afterschool program planting trees and in high school, she joined KYCC’s teen theater and anti-graffiti program. Ms. Kang earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Masters in Social Welfare from UCLA. In 2014, she was named a Magnolia Community Initiative Fellow, helping to build capacity for over 70 community agencies in Los Angeles.

Shawn Kuk joined KYCC in 2021, and has since expanded his role to lead KYCC’s Environmental Services programs. Mr. Kuk is responsible for overseeing the agency’s efforts in improving the built environment through existing programs around urban greening, community beautification, affordable housing development and asset management. New programs are intended to guide future community advocacy efforts formed through research and development of more equitable and community appropriate urban planning and development policies. Prior to joining KYCC, Mr. Kuk worked with the Southern California Association of Governments and the City of Los Angeles, accumulating 14 years of professional experience in fields of urban planning and real estate development. Mr. Kuk earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA with a dual major in History and Asian American Studies, and his Master of Planning degree from USC in 2006.

Rick Kim joined KYCC in 2002, and has worked as KYCC’s Youth Development Specialist, Academic Instructor, Affordable Housing Manager, Business Counselor, and Community Economic Development Unit Coordinator and Manager, prior to his current position as Director. He implemented KYCC’s Individual Development Account program, expanded Asset Building programs and oversaw a 500% increase in programs and revenue since 2004. He oversees economic development services programs which include Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, small business program, financial capability, and KYCC’s newest unit, Housing Services. He serves on Los Angeles County Center for Financial Empowerment steering committee and chairs the FDIC’s Alliance for Economic Inclusion Financial Stability workgroup. Mr. Kim earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from UCLA in 1996.

Steve S. Kang is the Director of External Affairs where he oversees communications, grants, special events, government, and community affairs. In addition, Steve is a Commissioner on the Central Area Planning Commission at the City of Los Angeles. Prior to joining KYCC, Mr. Kang served as District Director in the California State Assembly and Executive Director of the Korean American Coalition (KAC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors from Columbia University and a Master of Science from The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE. In 2016, Mr. Kang was honored by the Empowerment Congress as one of 40 Emerging Civic Leaders Under 40.