About the Author ~ Mia Hye-ri Baik

As a new born with just seven days in the world, Ms. Baik was an abandoned baby left alone in a railroad station outside Seoul, Korea. Ms. Baik was taken to Chechon Children's Home, an orphanage with 33 girls and 8 boys, operated by an independent American missionary, Ms. Jane White. This was the beginning of an incredible journey and at age two, Ms. Baik was adopted by an American couple and upon her arrival into America was given the name Mia Hye-ri.

Ms. Baik began her assimilation into American society and attended both private and public schools. It was at a very early age that Ms. Baik became aware of cultural differences and stereotypes, which motivated Ms. Baik to introspectively transcend these differences into unifying principles. Through Ms. Baik’s travels as an athlete, a violinist, foreign affairs student, and as an international adoptee, Ms. Baik continues to serve humanity as a citizen of the world through her personal commitments and professional endeavors.

Ms. Baik’s diverse personal commitments include non-profit affiliations ranging from cultural affairs to humanitarian relief agencies to professional organizations such as, The Asia Society, The Fistula Foundation, UNICEF, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). Ms. Baik is a founding member of the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, California; a distinguished contributor recognized on the Rosa Parks Memorial Wall in Montgomery, Alabama; and co-chaired the William J. Clinton Foundation launch of the Millennium Network.

Professionally, Ms. Baik has worked and consulted for the United States Government, The National Security Agency, The World Bank, the District of Columbia, The Milken Institute, The Delaware Group, and CIGNA Corporation. Ms. Baik received press credentials from the United States Congress and reported broadcast news stories in Washington, DC covering Capitol Hill and Supreme Court Hearings, Pentagon and State Department briefings, and public affairs stories.

Ms. Baik graduated from Temple University, Fox School of Business, with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a degree in finance and international business, and from American University, School of Communications, with a Master of Arts Degree in journalism and public affairs, international track. Ms. Baik has traveled, lived, and studied abroad and speaks several languages including French, Spanish, and Korean.

                        … Learn by going where you have to go.