Introducing TEDxSeoul Board

Starting as a small gathering approved by TED in 2009, TEDxSeoul has evolved from a volunteer-driven community into a vibrant organization now establishing a formal board structure and working toward becoming a non-profit organization. This transition represents our commitment to expanding our impact while maintaining the spirit of independent, community-driven events that spread 'ideas change everything' in Korea and beyond. Our newly formed board brings together diverse expertise in sustainability, education, technology, finance, and community building to guide this next phase of growth and ensure sustainable operations as we continue to foster innovation, cross-cultural dialogue, and meaningful community engagement.

Allan Ward

Board Member - Community and Programs

Allan Ward is the Director of Enrollment Management at Dwight School Seoul, where he leads with warmth, organization, and a passion for helping families connect to meaningful learning communities. Originally from South Africa, Allan spent over 15 years in the classroom before moving into educational leadership, bringing with him a teacher's heart and a communicator's clarity. He thrives on welcoming new families, guiding them through transitions, and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community. Known for his energy and professionalism, Allan enjoys the challenge of meeting goals while keeping people at the center of his work. Having called Korea home for more than 16 years, he is inspired by its culture and creativity and looks forward to contributing to TEDxSeoul's mission of connection and shared curiosity.

Anne Choe

Board Member - Brand and Communications

Anne Choe believes education has the power to open worlds and change lives. A communications and external affairs leader, she has built a career bridging cultures and institutions across Korea and the United States, advancing access, inclusion, and understanding through education. At Dwight School Seoul, she strengthened the school's visibility and partnerships across business, diplomatic, and civic sectors, helping shape its global voice. As co-chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Korea's Education Committee, she helped foster dialogue on innovation and workforce development. She serves on the Advisory Board of George Mason University Korea and previously advised the Foreign Investment Advisory Council led by the Mayor of Seoul. Passionate about mentoring underserved and underrepresented youth, Anne brings to TEDxSeoul a belief in the power of stories to connect people and inspire change.

David Choo

Board Chair and CEO

Passionate about communities and stories of place, David Choo is a creative urbanist and TEDx Ambassador for South Korea, dedicated to exploring how stories of place can inspire social and urban transformation. With a background in architecture, master planning, and project management, he has worked across Asia on initiatives that integrate design, community, and sustainability. As the curator and licensee of TEDxSeoul, David has been instrumental in building TEDxSeoul's community, representing South Korea at TEDActive in Palm Springs and TEDxSummit in Doha. His passion lies in connecting people through dialogue and shared creativity, believing that collaboration can turn local ideas into global movements. A lifelong learner and global citizen, David continues to champion curiosity, inclusion, and the power of storytelling to shape better communities.

Jessica Choi

Vice Chair and Risk Management

Jessica Choi is a communicator shaped by global experiences and a passion for turning thoughtful ideas into meaningful action. With a background in corporate communication and UX design, she focuses on clear, structured communication and experience design, turning scattered input into plans and experiences people can understand and act on.

As Director of TEDxSeoul, she has helped build the community from the ground up—creating the communication systems used today and leading work across onboarding, member experience, partnerships, marketing, and operations. She leads overall strategy for brand growth and events, turning goals into clear plans and decisions and working closely with members, speakers, partners, and other stakeholders to build a broad, trusted network. She values clear communication, collaboration, curiosity, and thoughtful project management, and aims to make each project a meaningful space where people can keep learning and growing.

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John JungKyum Kim

Board Secretary - Legal

John JungKyum Kim is a Senior Foreign Partner at Dentons Lee, the Korean arm of the world's largest law firm, Dentons. With over two decades of experience, he advises domestic and multinational clients across industries including insurance, finance, energy, technology, and hospitality. John specializes in regulatory, transactional, and dispute resolution matters, guiding clients through complex cross-border challenges. His work has supported international trade initiatives, including contributions to the Korea–UK and US–Korea Free Trade Agreements. Known for his strategic insight and collaborative approach, John values legal work that builds bridges across industries and cultures. He shares TEDxSeoul's belief that open dialogue and cross-cultural understanding are essential to innovation and progress.

Lucinda Walker

Board Member - Treasurer and Financial Management

Lucinda Walker is the Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK), where she fosters collaboration between business, culture, and innovation. Before joining the BCCK, she spent a decade with Standard Chartered Bank across London, Singapore, and Seoul, managing projects in compliance, technology, and regulatory engagement. With experience spanning finance, government relations, and event management, Lucinda excels at bridging cultures and building partnerships that drive progress. She holds dual MBAs from Sungkyunkwan University in Korea and Indiana University in the United States, and a degree from the University of Oxford. Having first arrived in Korea in 2007, Lucinda continues to be inspired by its creativity and dynamism - values she carries into her work with TEDxSeoul to connect people through ideas.

Nicola Weir

Vice Chair and Sustainability

Driven by a belief that business can be a force for good, Nicola Weir is a senior leader with over two decades of experience in sustainability, strategy, and transformation. As Partner for Climate & Sustainability at Deloitte, she leads the firm's internal sustainability and climate agenda across Asia Pacific, embedding net-zero ambition and responsible business practices into core strategy. Her work helps executive teams translate climate ambition into measurable outcomes - accelerating decarbonization and driving innovation through circular economy models. As Dean of Deloitte's CEO Readiness Programme, she prepares future leaders to navigate disruption and lead with purpose. A TEDxSeoul speaker and advocate for women in leadership, Nicola brings a global perspective shaped by her experience across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and a commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth.

Sean Blakeley

Board Member - Partnerships and Fundraising

Sean Blakeley is a Partner at Samil PwC Korea with more than a decade of leadership experience in the Korean tech industry. Formerly the Chief Executive Officer of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea and a Senior Consultant at Google, he has built a career connecting international business with Korea's fast-evolving innovation landscape. Having lived in Seoul for over 15 years, Sean is fluent in Korean and deeply engaged in the local community. He is recognized for his ability to bridge cultures, lead multicultural teams, and drive growth for global tech ventures. Committed to lifelong learning and collaboration, Sean embodies the spirit of curiosity and connection that defines TEDxSeoul - helping people and ideas come together to create meaningful impact.

Veronica O'Sullivan Freltoft

Board Member - Strategy and Growth

Curious and globally minded, Veronica Freltoft is a Strategic Advisor at VIA Consulting, where she supports startups and organizations in driving innovation, growth, and cross-cultural collaboration. Originally from Denmark, she has lived and worked across five continents, building a career that connects strategy, technology, and people. Her experience spans leadership roles with startups including Talkable, Quri, and CCR Analytics, helping teams translate creative ideas into sustainable business impact. Beyond her professional work, Veronica contributes to community initiatives with AIESEC, AFS, and AllStarts, programs that foster intercultural learning and inclusion. Guided by curiosity and collaboration, she brings a global mindset to TEDxSeoul, championing ideas that bridge communities and inspire shared progress.

Yujin Hwang

Vice Chair and Event Management

Yujin Hwang works at the intersection of language, engineering, and experience design. With a background in engineering and a practice rooted in technical translation, she specializes in patents, biochemistry, and complex scientific content that requires accuracy, structure, and focused reasoning. Over the past three years, she has contributed to TEDxSeoul as a translator and event manager in the core team and now serves on its Board, taking part in shaping programs, coordinating teams, and guiding the process that brings each idea from the earliest drafts to its final moment on stage. Her work spans writing, translation, operations, and creative planning, reflecting her habit of exploring widely and following any direction that sparks curiosity. Interested in many fields and unafraid of unfamiliar challenges, she treats every project as an experiment—balancing precision with imagination and building experiences that help people understand, connect, and feel inspired.