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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10:30am EDT

KAAN 2025 Orientation: Adoptive Parents

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

Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

Speakers

Kala Sharp

Kala Sharp (she/her) is a past KAAN Advisory Council member, past Finance Committee member, and a current volunteer. She and her husband, Gary, are adoptive parents. Their sons are Jae (14 years old) and Sam (12 years old). Their family lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma and enjoys traveli... Read More →

Jen Neis

Friday June 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

General Session (Open To All Attendees)

12:00pm EDT

Supporting Your Adoptee’s Journey*

Friday June 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

Two adult transracial and transnational adoptees who are also mothers to Korean adoptees will share adoptee-centered insights on racial and adoptee identity development, common challenges, meaningful (and harmful) support and advocacy. The experiences and perspectives of adoptees who are also parenting adoptees will illuminate the ongoing nature of the adoption journey. Participants will examine how they can create a healthy and supportive environment for an adoptee whose understanding of their identity grows and changes over time.

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

Speakers

TK Rojales

TK Rojales is a management consultant with a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. A transracial adoptee from Korea, she resides in Atlanta and is the mother of a 24-year-old biological daughter and a 23-year-old son adopted from Korea... Read More →

Sarah Collmer

Sarah Collmer is an elementary school principal in a suburb of Boston, MA. She holds Master’s Degrees in Music Education and Organizational Leadership. Sarah, her husband, and their 10-year-old son are all Korean adoptees. Racial and adoptee identity development hold significant... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

General Session (Open To All Attendees), Repeat Session

1:30pm EDT

Adopting Our Own Ways of Being*

Friday June 20, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EDT

Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

Food, art, and identity, oh my! Join Chinese-Canadian adoptee, Annika Walsh for this hands-on session that explores how to transform your identity into a dish that best encapsulates you. Together, through collaging and conversation, we will dive into the fluidity of identity, culture, and food. Annika is an artist and graduate student at the University of British Columbia who presents experience based work that often relate to their experiences as an adoptee. Annika has used food to connect to all of the cultures they are genetically embedded with but also the ones they have absorbed along the way.

This session will also be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM.

Speakers

Annika Walsh

Annika Walsh is an emerging transdisciplinary artist and researcher who works with food, cooking, and everything in between to further the notion of connectedness and togetherness. Annika completed a BFA with a specialization in Media at the University of Ottawa in 2022. This grounds... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

General Session (Open To All Attendees), Repeat Session

7:30pm EDT

Minhwa: Korean Folk Painting

Friday June 20, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

Many KADs who feel disconnected to their Korean-ness due to language barrier and accessibility can connect to Korean culture through art. Art is a powerful educational and healing tool that does not require language or cultural competency. Minhwa: Korean Folk Painting session will be a fun and non-intimidating way to connect to our roots. The publisher (Seo Choi) and author (Hye-Ryung Suk) of the book, “Minhwa Workbook: Learn Korean Painting” will offer a hands-on session where participants will learn about minhwa and create a small painting of their own.

Speakers

Seo Choi

Seo Choi (최서희) (@seochoi.shaman) is a Korean-American shaman, author, and the founder of Alpha Sisters Publishing. She is the creator of the Morning Calm Oracle and the author of Don’t Be a B*tch, Be an Alpha: How to Unlock Your Magic, Play Big, and Change the World. She has... Read More →

Hye Suk

Hye Ryung Suk (@atlanta_minhwa) is an artist, art teacher, and the author of Minhwa Workbook: Step by Step Guide to Korean Folk Painting. She studied fine art and taught students at her art studio for many years in Korea before moving to the greater Atlanta area a few years ago. For... Read More →

Friday June 20, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Buckhead BR 1 (Lower lobby)

Activities