ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The U.S. is shifting focus to the Indo-Pacific, making ties with South Korea more vital than ever. With a new Korean president and deepening ties, Philly plays a key role—through its sister city Incheon and Hanwha’s investment in the Philly Shipyard.
Join us for this timely discussion.
PANELISTS
Lauren is the President & CEO of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, the region’s largest and longest-running international nonprofit. World Affairs opens doors between Philadelphia and the world. From powerful speaker events and international exchanges to youth education, to professional development and curated travel programs, this is where continents, cultures, and ideas connect.
Previously, she was Deputy Commerce Director of International Business & Global Strategy for the City of Philadelphia. With a focus on global business attraction, foreign direct investment, and promoting exports, her work created jobs and strengthened the local economy. She crafted the global strategy for Philadelphia and hosted thousands of delegations, diplomats, businesses and investors.
Lauren has also served as the Deputy Director at the trade association, Food Export USA – Northeast, promoting U.S. exports in over 40 countries. Lauren has experience running her own consulting firm specializing in international project management and food marketing. She has lived and worked abroad in Copenhagen and London.
Lauren is the Honorary Consul of Sweden for Pennsylvania. Lauren serves as a Board Member for the following organizations: Leadership Philadelphia; Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Satell Institute, and Global Philadelphia Association. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum, Sunday Breakfast Club and the Forum of Executive Women. She also serves on Pennsylvania Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. She earned a B.A. in Communications at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with minors in Business Economics, Spanish and Philosophy. Lauren is an accomplished speaker at conferences and events around the world. Awards include: 2023 City & State Above & Beyond, 2023 Titan 100, 2023 Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Influence, 2019 “40 Under 40” from the Philadelphia Business Journal and Temple University’s Fox School of Business International Business Partner of the Year in 2016-2017.
John Ryan is Foreign Service Officer currently covering Political Military issues for the Republic of Korea desk at the U.S. Department of State.
Previously, he provided military assistance to Ukraine in the European bureau and served as a political officer in Yangon, Myanmar, before and after the 2021 military coup. John started his State career in Beijing, China in 2016.
He studied international and Asian politics at Georgetown and George Washington, including stints in Beijing and New Delhi. Born and raised in Los Angeles, in another life John was as a social worker with homeless families and worked at a technology startup. In order of proficiency John speaks Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, and Burmese. His wife Nandar works in international development.
Arius Derr is Director of Communications at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) in Washington, DC.
Previously he was Managing Editor at Korea Risk Group, where he oversaw the consultancy’s primary publications NK News and NK Pro, as well as Korea Desk Editor at the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research. Arius has also worked as a researcher at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), as Editor at KBS, South Korea’s public broadcaster, Research Associate in the Strategy Division of United States Forces Korea, and as Consultant for the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
His PhD research at the ANU focuses on U.S. nuclear policy. He also holds a MA in International Security from Korea University and a BS in Political Science & International Relations from Boise State University.
Yeji Lee has served as the 2nd Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C. since February 2025. She is responsible for Public Diplomacy, engaging with think tanks, academic institutions, and media outlets.
Ms. Lee joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017, and has since worked in several divisions, including the North America Division I, Asia and Pacific Division I, Disarmament and Nonproliferation Division, and Middle East Division II.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Yonsei University and completed the Diplomatic Candidate Program at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in 2017.
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