Soya Jung

Soya Jung "has worked with nonprofit and civil society organizations in the Seattle area for the last 17 years. During the early '90s she worked as a journalist for International Examiner, a local Asian American newspaper, writing in-depth feature stories and editorials. She later joined the staff of the Washington State House Democratic Caucus, providing policy and communications support for several state representatives. She was a founding organizer and executive director of the Washington Alliance for Immigrant and Refugee Justice (WAIRJ), which became nationally recognized for its work in securing fair access to welfare programs for immigrants and refugees. Soya was also a founding member and chair of the Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition, which led the campaign to restore food and cash assistance for low-income immigrants and refugees in Washington State.

"In 2001, Soya became the Grants and Program Director at the Social Justice Fund NW, a public foundation supporting progressive organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. While there, she played a key role in diversifying the foundation’s membership and institutionalizing its commitment to racial equity. Soya is a consultant for nonprofits and public interest projects. Soya is a founding member of Sahngnoksoo, a local organization of progressive Koreans and Korean Americans; Secretary of the Korean American Historical Society; and board member of Grassroots International."


 * Director, Grassroots International