KAAN 2025: Full Schedule

The KAAN 2025 Conference will take place at The Grand Hyatt in Atlanta, GA, on June 20-22. The theme this year is Growth and Change. As always, we offer an adoptee-only track alongside our general breakout sessions, which are open to all. We also offer programs for adults and youth (ages 8-17). All are welcome, including adoptees, birth families, family members (adoptive parents, spouses/partners, siblings and children of adoptees), service providers, and Korean Americans. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at tech@wearekaan.org.

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KAAN is a Project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, fiscal sponsor. This permits KAAN to operate as a nonprofit under TFEC’s 501(c)(3) designation. The official registration and financial information of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, at 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is registered in each state requiring such registration for charitable solicitation. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Thank you!

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10:30am EDT

KAAN 2025 Orientation: Adoptees Ages 26+ (Adoptee Only)

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Highland 4 &5 (Lobby)

Speakers

Scarlett Hester

Scarlett Hester (she/her) is a Korean American adoptee living in Muncie, IN, who grew up in central PA (Go birds!). Her first experience with KAAN was KAAN Connect in 2020. Since then, she has been an active member of the KAAN organization and serves on the Education Committee and... Read More →

Chris Wodicka

Chris Wodicka (he/him) lives in Philadelphia, PA, where he is pursuing a PhD in social welfare, with a research focus on U.S. tax and social policy. Since 2022, he has served on the board of Hamkae Center (formerly NAKASEC Virginia), a nonprofit organization in Virginia that organizes... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Highland 4 &5 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session

10:30am EDT

KAAN 2025 Orientation: Adoptees Ages 40+ (Adoptee Only)

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Highland 3 (Lobby)

Speakers

Phil Pellouchoud

My name is Phil Pellouchoud, and I embraced my Korean adoption identity pretty late in life. Living in San Diego with my wife, two kids, and our dog Casper, I’ve been navigating a birth family search with my family’s support. Along the way, I’ve discovered the profound depth... Read More →

Alice Stephens

Born in Korea, Alice Stephens was among the first wave of intercountry, transracial adoptees. Author of the novel, Famous Adopted People (Unnamed Press, 2018), she is also a book reviewer, essayist, short story writer, facilitator of the Adoptee Voices Writing Group, member of the... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Highland 3 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session

10:30am EDT

KAAN 2025 Orientation: LGBTQIA+ Only (Adoptees Only)

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Ivy (Lobby)

Speakers

Maze Felix

Maze Felix (they/them) is a kitchen table solo polyamorous, neuroqueer trans non-binary Chinese transracial Adoptee. Maze grew up in midwest Ohio, but in 2022 moved across the country to the west coast and is now a Los Angeles based working actor, model, and American Sign Language... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Ivy (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session

10:30am EDT

KAAN 2025 Orientation: Young Adult Adoptees (Adoptees Only)

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Maple (3rd floor)

Speakers

Allison Jin Sullivan

Allison Sullivan is a Korean American adoptee and a doctoral candidate in Sociology at Emory University in Atlanta. She researches issues related to race, work, inequality, and culture, with a special interest in adoptees and Asian Americans. Prior to pursuing her PhD, she worked... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Maple (3rd floor)

Adoptee-Only Session

10:30am EDT

Veteran Attendee Meet & Greet (Adoptee Only)

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Highland 1 & 2 (Lobby)

Speakers

Jon Oaks

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Highland 1 & 2 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session

12:30pm EDT

Discovering Our Power Through Peer Groups*

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Highland 4 &5 (Lobby)

This panel-style workshop will feature an open dialogue and facilitated conversation around the formation and impact of diverse transracial adoptee peer support groups. Panelists will share insights on organizing their specific groups, offering guidance and lived experiences that highlight the transformative power of connection, healing, and liberation within adoptee communities. This discussion will address key topics such as inclusivity, growth, change, and coalition building, with a focus on fostering a unified and supportive network. Recognizing that many adoptees experience isolation and that groups can sometimes become siloed, this panel aspires to build bridges and promote solidarity across adoptee communities.

This session will also be held on Saturday at 2:45 - 4:00 PM.

Speakers

Anna Mae Hee Kiesnowski

Anna (she/her) is a highly sought-after LGBTQIA+ educator, known for creating engaging learning experiences that challenge assumptions and promote a more equitable, safe future. As a licensed clinical social worker, she offers psychotherapy, supportive group processes, and gender-affirming... Read More →

Sunia Won

Sunia Won is a dynamic leader and creative visionary bringing visibility at the intersection of faith, arts, and justice. With over 25 years of experience leading non-profits, she is the founder of OMIJA, fostering courageous conversations and connections for Asian adoptees, and the... Read More →

Megan 고은 Tulius

Based in the Twin Cities, Megan 고은 Tulius facilitates a monthly support group for transracial adopted people. She studied Korean language and literature at the University of Minnesota, and is currently an LMFT graduate student at the University of St. Thomas. Inspired by discussions... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
Highland 4 &5 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session, Repeat Session

12:30pm EDT

Language (Re)Learning: Conversations About Identity*

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Ivy (Lobby)

Language and identity are inextricably linked. However, language learning experiences for international adoptees might be complicated—how do our language experiences contribute to our sense of identity? When we use our languages do we feel closer to our heritage, or do we feel more distant from our cultures? This two-part session involves hearing about recent research relating to language and identity with international adoptees in Canada, then engaging in discussion about different kinds of language learning experiences, and how they have contributed to our sense of identity. No language learning experience necessary, all adoptees are welcome to share their thoughts.

This session will also be held on Saturday at 4:15 - 5:30 PM.

Speakers

Kiana Kishiyama

Kiana Kishiyama is a transracial Chinese adoptee from British Columbia, Canada. She is an aspiring researcher whose research interests include language, race, identity, and international adoption. Her current research focuses on international adoptees' experiences with (re)learning... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
Ivy (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session, Repeat Session

12:30pm EDT

NaviGAYting Queer Adoptee Experiences*

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Highland 3 (Lobby)

This session will give attendees an opportunity to meet other LGBTQ+ adoptees and provide a space to talk about navigating the adoptee experience. Once out of the fog, how do we come out as adoptees? How do we manage the co-existence of multiple chosen families? How do we work through internalized racism, and how does that impact our dating preferences? How does our queer identity impact the relationship with our birth countries? How can we challenge heteronormativity and contribute toward building a more inclusive adoptee community? Let’s learn from each other and strengthen our collective voice.

Open to LGBTQ+ adoptees only. Space is limited to 15; please register via this Google Form.

This session will also be held on Saturday at 2:45 - 4:00 PM.

Speakers

Jimmy Byrne

Jimmy Byrne (he/him) is a Korean adoptee who grew up in Central New York and currently lives in Chicago. He has served on the boards of KAtCH (Korean Adoptees of Chicago) and Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, and he is currently the Director of Development at a Korean-led immigrant justice... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
Highland 3 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session, Repeat Session

12:30pm EDT

Quiet Confidence: Navigating KAAN as Introverts

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Highland 1 & 2 (Lobby)

Do you prefer socializing in smaller groups vs large crowds? Do you like time alone to recharge after social events? Join two life-long introverts to break down and demystify what it means to be an introvert and how we can thrive at a large, emotionally impactful, social event like KAAN. This is a space for both first-time and seasoned adoptee attendees to share actionable tips and strategies for navigating this weekend and make meaningful connections that can last beyond our time together in Atlanta. This session is for adoptees that primarily identify as an introvert.

Speakers

Angela Kilsdonk

Angela Kilsdonk (she/her) is a transracial and transnational adoptee. She first attended KAAN in 2019 and is currently a member of the conference Tech Team. Angela was born in Korea, grew up in Wisconsin, and currently lives in Washington state. She is a librarian/archivist and... Read More →

Nick Ramsey

Nick Ramsey (he/him) is passionate about building adoptee and AAPI community. Born in Busan, he was adopted during the height of international adoption from Korea. Nick serves on the advisory council for KAAN and the communications committee for the Chinese Adoptee Alliance (CAA... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
Highland 1 & 2 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session

2:00pm EDT

Adoptee Perspectives From Around the World

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Highland 4 &5 (Lobby)

Join Anna and Svetlana as they discuss the significant adoption changes that have occurred since KAAN last year. With the cessation of longstanding adoption programs in countries like China and Russia, alongside numerous international conflicts and increased public awareness of adoption issues, many adoptees are stepping forward to share their experiences. Engage in our conversation to explore the diverse and shared challenges faced by adoptees of different national origins. We invite you to reflect on how the past year has impacted you personally.

Speakers

Anna Sarkitova

Anna Sarkitova is an international adoptee from Saratov, Russia. She has been traveling the country as a travel nurse since January 2021, an adventure that has taken her and her husband to Baltimore, Detroit, Dearborn, Palo Alto, and Boston. This past fall she settled in Grand Rapids... Read More →

Svetlana Sandoval

Svetlana Sandoval is an International Adoptee from Russia. She was adopted to the U.S. during the peak wave of international adoptions in the late 90s. Svetlana is in reunion with her birthmother and family in Russia, and has been navigating reunion across language, cultural and legal... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Highland 4 &5 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session

2:00pm EDT

Digging Deeper: Identity and Community Building*

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Ivy (Lobby)

Childhood, dating, marriage, parenthood, and the death of adoptive parents are lifecycle milestones. Participants will explore their evolving relationship to adoption as they moved through each of these stages in life. A.D and Phil will share their personal experiences and utilize creative media prompts for each discussion. We all have voices and experiences worth sharing. This session is for adoptees looking to connect with others on a deeper level around their experiences with the goal of learning from one another. This is a community knowledge building exercise.

This session will also be held on Saturday at 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM.

Speakers

A.D. Herzel

A.D. Herzel is a Korean adoptee, artist and educator for over 20 years. She is a mother of bi-racial teenagers, married for 27 years and both her adoptive parents have passed. She served on the Board of Adoptee Hub and shared her community art project Seeds From The East, at IKAA... Read More →

Phil Pellouchoud

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ivy (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session, Repeat Session

2:00pm EDT

Naming and Navigating Adoption Microaggressions*

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Highland 3 (Lobby)

In this interactive session, presenters will share key research on adoption microaggressions and facilitate a dynamic conversation for adoptees to reflect on personal experiences. Through guided dialogue, attendees will explore the impact of these microaggressions and work together to strategize empowered, proactive responses. This session creates a supportive space for adoptees to share stories, gain insight into common experiences, and leave with practical tools for navigating future interactions.

This session will also be held on Saturday at 9:30 - 10:45 AM as a Fishbowl session.

Speakers

Aeriel A. Ashlee

Dr. Aeriel A. Ashlee (she/her) is a Korean American transracial transnational adoptee scholar and speaker. Her work focuses on amplifying adoptee voices, facilitating expansive (re)imagining of power, and advancing collective liberation by cultivating inner healing. Dr. Ashlee has... Read More →

DeLa Dos

DeLa Dos is the senior director, Leadership & Transformation for the Association of Research Libraries—a nonprofit membership organization of research libraries in major public and private universities, federal agencies, and large public institutions in Canada and the US. DeLa is... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Highland 3 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session, Repeat Session

2:00pm EDT

Navigating Love Across Race & Identity

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Highland 1 & 2 (Lobby)

Join us in a safe and vulnerable space for transracial adoptees to reflect on their romantic relationships, particularly with white partners, and to explore the complexities of these dynamics. The session will provide adoptees the opportunity to share how their racial consciousness has evolved and how that has impacted their views on partnership and love across race, ethnicity, and culture.

Speakers

Tory Bae

Tory Bae is a Korean adoptee who grew up in Minnesota and has called North Carolina home for over a decade. She works as a personal injury paralegal and does work for undergraduate admissions. She is passionate about supporting liberatory work for adoptees, as well as the queer and... Read More →

Jenna Lee Kim

A 1984 Korean American Adoptee via Holt, Jenna is in reunion with both of her birth parents, and currently lives on Jeju Island in Korea with her family. Writer, educator, former mayor, and current foodie, Jenna can be found on The Janchi Show, Adapted, and Empowered Adoptee podcasts... Read More →

Chris Washburn

Washburn is a proud Korean American Adoptee and a passionate superhero fan nerd that loves Céline Dion, Korean BBQ, Comic Cons, Golden Retrievers and when his cats nap on his chest. He’s a nationally known DJ that has worked with entities such as Disney World, Tao Group, the Las... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Highland 1 & 2 (Lobby)

Adoptee-Only Session