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: 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

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

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

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 →

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

Adoptee-Only Session, Repeat Session