WHY DKF
Our Mission
Dragon Manifesto
Be more than a leader, be a dragon.
The world underestimates young people. We’re here to change that.
A DRAGON…
- knows life is a gift and lives it to the fullest
- believes life is what he makes it, and makes it amazing
- works hard to achieve what doesn’t come naturally to her
- perseveres through adversity – even tragedy – to lift up others
- is quick to offer a hand and unafraid to ask for help
- inspires others to find the fire in their belly
- leads with head and heart
- empowers other dragons
What if every person in the world lived like a dragon?
What if we helped everyone discover their inner dragon?
Together we can.
Welcome to the Dragon Kim Foundation. Mentor a dragon. Empower a dragon. Become a dragon.
Join the family.
“His spirit continues to fly over us, keeping us under his big wings.”
Why are We Different
- Our Fellowship Program
- A 3-in-1 experience: Our Fellows receive weekly mentoring, business training, and seed funding to launch their vision!
- Our program is 100% tuition free, and we work rigorously every year to recruit students from marginalized or low-income communities.
- Our Music Program
- Teaching the Art of Teaching: Our Music Student Teachers have the opportunity to receive feedback and mentoring from credentialed Master Teachers. They build lessons plans, are observed during their classes, and have time to review their progress weekly.
- Our program is 100% tuition free, including lending out free instruments and music supplies for every student to use at home.
Our Team
Staff
Daniel Kim
Co-founder & Chairman of the Board

Daniel has 25 years of experience in Global Capital Markets, Investment Banking & Private Equity, in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Los Angeles. He is currently running a private equity fund focused on private lower middle market companies and corporate restructurings. Daniel also has extensive nonprofit experience, having served on the Board for the Koreatown Youth and Community Center for over ten years, having founded the OC Heat Volleyball Club, and as co-founder of the Dragon Kim Foundation.
Amber Serafin
Program Director

Amber Serafin is passionate about journeying with teens and supporting them in becoming the best version of themselves. She has experience in multiple domains holding past titles in Youth Ministry at Central Church, Applied Behavior Analyst with Nevada Early Intervention and 4 years working within the CCSD Autism Kids Program. Her passion lies within being in service to others and inspiring them to do the same.
Dan Pittman
Press Relations Consultant

Dan is an award-winning public relations/marketing professional with a media background and over 45 years of experience working with many for-profit and nonprofit national and international organizations. He founded Dan Pittman & Associates, Inc. in 1998. He has held senior posts at BSMG Worldwide Public Relations, Bozell Worldwide; Salvati Montgomery Sakoda; Cochrane Chase, Livingston; and Cunningham & Walsh. His corporate background includes service with Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., the National Hot Rod Association, and the California Dental Association. Dan began his career at the Associated Press (Chicago/Los Angeles bureaus). He is a graduate of Arizona State and USC and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. He is the volunteer chair of nonprofit Project Independence, and former chair of the Community Roots Academy Foundation.
Angeline Villar
Fellowship Program Coordinator

Angeline is a student at Cal State, Fullerton working to earn her BS in Human Services. She has a passion working with youth and has worked with them for several years. She loves being able to create a space for these students to grow their passion and is happy to contribute to the DKF family. Some of the things Angeline loves to do in her free time is listen to music, go to the gym, and spend quality time with her pet cockatiel.
Joy Kim
Director of Operations

Joy Loo Kim enjoys sparking curiosity in students of all ages. She has taught high school math for the past 17 years, led ASB Leadership, and is enthusiastic for the youth to be financially savvy and engage their passions within their community. When she is not operating or budgeting, you'll find her spending time with her husband, 48-hour traveling, and dancing. Ms. Loo's favorite quote is from John Wooden, "Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece.
Board of Directors
Grace Tsai
Co-Founder & Board Member

Grace Tsai is a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience managing consumer-focused brands such as Yahoo!, ConAgra Foods, and Botox Cosmetic. Aside from serving as Executive Director of the Dragon Kim Foundation, Grace utilizes her marketing expertise to promote the organization and establish relationships with funders, volunteers, and supporters.
We are thankful for our diverse team of executive board members that bring their dedication, expertise, and commitment to our mission and help us make the most impact on the amazing youth coming through our programs.
Jack Toan
Chairman

Jack Toan, a nonprofit, philanthropy and community development executive. His professional experience includes service with Illumination Foundation, Wells Fargo and Orange County Grantmakers. He has served on Illumination Foundation’s board of directors and with the UCI Alumni Association, the National Asian American Community Foundation, and OC Human Relations Council Community Partners.
Stacy Handley
Secretary

Stacy Handley has over 25 years of experience in Human Resources. She has had the privilege to work within several different industries during that time and enjoys working with great people and teams to help make a difference. She joined our Board in 2016 and advises with Human Resources strategies.
Bonnie Carlson
Board Member

Bonnie Carlson is the retired President and CEO of the Brand Activation Assocation (BAA). Bonnie’s career includes executive positions in four global consumer package goods companies, including General Foods, Unilever, Nestle, and ConAgra Foods. Bonnie has served on the Dragon Kim Foundation Board since 2016 and advises the organization on marketing and public relations.
Teren Shaffer
Board Member

Teren Shaffer currently serves as the President & CEO of Orange County School of the Arts and the California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley. Teren is also highly lauded as an arts manager, music educator, and conductor. Teren joined our Board in 2016 and oversees the Dragon Kim Foundation Music Program.
Kerri Sonenshine
Board Member

Kerri Sonenshine has built a career in Brand Management and Product Management, and now serves on the Executive Board of several nonprofits, including Human Options and the Dragon Kim Foundation. She has served the Dragon Kim Foundation since 2015 on the Fellowship Committee, the Concert Committee, and Co-Chairing Dragon Challenge Committee.
Bill Tate
Board Member

Bill Tate is a partner at Bryan Cave, LLC. Bill's career includes Partner positions at both Bryan Cave and Morrison Forrester, in their real estate law practice. Bill has served as a legal advisor for the Dragon Kim Foundation since 2015.
Helen Kim
Board Member

Helen Yi is a real estate professional with over 20 years of experience in corporate real estate, commercial and land development, asset management, and affordable housing. Helen joined our Board in 2015 and has served on the Concert Committee, the Fellowship Committee, and in a development capacity.
Philip Gomez
Board Member

With a career spanning over five decades, Philip Gomez’s legacy is defined by his ability to drive growth, build enduring relationships, and create transformative solutions in the industries he served. He is a co-founder of DSD Partners, Inc., where he served as CEO and chairman. Earlier in his career, Gomez held executive roles with Mission Foods and Alex Foods, where he drove sales growth and strengthened market presence. He also founded PMG, Inc., a consultancy that delivered strategic solutions for perishable merchandise and supply chain optimization. He has served as a board member for Easter Seals Southern California, providing strategic leadership to support individuals with disabilities. As chief development officer for Rancho La Hermosa in Baja California, he has championed initiatives that uplift communities in need. He has also served as a mentor and judge for Biola University’s MBA program.
Hyo Kim
Board Member

Interns
Audrey Kim
CA Fellowship Intern

Audrey Kim is a senior at the Orange County School of the Arts where she studies acting. She was a part of DFK-7 and created Project Insight in that time. Audrey's project aimed to help high school students plan their futures without feeling overwhelmed. She has a passion for theater arts and community service. In her free time Audrey likes to read and practice aerial silks.
Zaara Ahmed
NV Fellowship Intern

Zaara Ahmed is an 18-year-old senior at the Meadows School who is dedicated to promoting medical literacy with free health and hygiene resources to underserved youth. After Zaara volunteered in after-school programs for kids at her school, she witnessed a large number of children practicing improper hygiene protocols, which made them more prone to becoming sick. Zaara joined DKF-8 to advocate for the physical well-being of underserved youth with free health and hygiene resources, such as her project's co-written and donated children's picture book, Medical ABCs, and hosted numerous free hygiene clinics over the summer with her project's formed medical and health curriculum. In Zaara's free time, she enjoys writing, traveling, and spending time with her friends.
Avery Yew
CA Fellowship Intern

Avery Yew is a 17-year-old senior at Los Alamitos High School who is passionate about bringing environmental education and advocacy to underserved youth. As part of DKF-7, she ran her fellowship project, Project REACH, which held multi-day art camps to teach over 300 students about the importance of conservation. Outside of school, Avery likes to crochet, read, and journal. This is her second year interning for the fellowship program.
Abraham Lopez
CA Fellowship Intern

Abraham Lopez is a 17-year-old senior at Valley High School who is driven and passionate about impacting his community through supporting single mothers with food drives and mental health workshops. As part of DKF-8, he ran his fellowship project with his 2 best friends, impacting over 100 mothers. This is his first year interning for the fellowship program.
Liliana Orlina
CA Fellowship Intern

Liliana Orlina is a 17 year old senior at Legacy Magnet Academy. She was a part of DKF-7 with project BMT that helped Be The Match, a national stem cell registry, find donors for cancer patients in need of a bone marrow transplant. Liliana is from Ukraine, and moved to the US in 2017. She is passionate about helping and learning from others! She loves deep talks about mindset and self growth. In her free time, she enjoys good food, filmmaking and hanging out with her loved ones.
Zara Pearce
AZ Fellowship Intern

I am Zara Pearce, I am a Dragon Kim Fellowship alumni who has a passion towards art, and helping others. I am the founder of the non-profit Arts Healing Hearts to help spread emotional positivity, coping and healing mechanisms throughout the community. I have many hobbies such as rock climbing, art, building legos, and helping others.
Lana Lee
CA Fellowship Intern

Lana Lee is currently a junior at the Orange County School of the Arts who is passionate about bringing the arts to children in the underserved community and helping them build a sense of confidence and community. Lana was a part of the DKF-7 cohort, where she led Find Your Light, a student-run non-profit organization (501(c)(3)), that aims to give underserved youth opportunities in the performing arts they wouldn't be able to experience otherwise. In her free time, she enjoys painting, going on walks, and spending time with her friends!
Colin Hsu
CA Fellowship Intern

Colin Hsu is a current Senior at Legacy Magnet Academy. He was part of DKF-7 with Project BMT that helped NMDP, the national stem cell registry, find donors for cancer patients in need of a stem cell transplant. He is passionate about community advocacy and helping people that need it most. In his free time, he loves to mountain bike, be with loved ones, and play Tennis.
FOUNDER’S STORY
In August 2015, while we were on a family camping trip in Yosemite, a massive tree branch fell on the tent in which our beloved son, Dragon Kim, and his dear friend, Justin Lee, were sleeping. Dragon and Justin were instantly killed.
They say grief is love with nowhere to go. Our love for Dragon needed somewhere to land. We established The Dragon Kim Foundation in Dragon’s honor to carry on his love of life, to make it possible for other young people to pursue their passions, and to help give others access to a bright future.
Dragon loved many things — math, his dogs, hanging out with friends, guacamole. But most of all, Dragon loved music. As a freshman at the Orange County School of the Arts, Dragon and a few friends had gathered to discuss how they could provide musical instruments and instruction to underserved kids in Santa Ana, where their school is located. So as the first project of The Dragon Kim Foundation, we started a music program to bring Dragon’s dream of helping kids learn and love music to life.
More importantly, we had always told our children that it was their job to find what they love to do. But we realized that not all children have those opportunities, so the mission of the Foundation has been to give children, regardless of socio-economic background, those important opportunities to pursue what they enjoy, and in the process, make positive changes in their communities.
Dragon was our shining star — bright, warm, generous, and always beaming. He cared deeply not only for family but for his friends and for those around him. He had a talent for teaching young kids. We believe that this is some of the work he would have pursued, and that the best way to keep his spirit alive is through supporting the achievements of others. Please join us in this journey to give our youth more opportunities to pursue what they are passionate about.
Dragon, we love you so much. Thank you for bringing laughter, love, and music to our lives. You are our precious son, and you will live on in our hearts and in the work of the Dragon Kim Foundation.
With Much Love,
Grace and Daniel Kim
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