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Interview with Kumjoo Huh: A Journey of Leadership and Empowerment
GlobalMindED is proud to honor our Asian Pacific Islander leaders, faculty, business leaders, staff, and students. Kumjoo Huh, a leader steeped in global experiences, is a former Executive Vice President at Kyobo Life, shaping the company's digital future. Beyond corporate strategy, she champions women's empowerment as Korea Representative for the Empower Alliance, advocating for a more inclusive world.
Can you share your personal and professional story?
My story begins in the embrace of a diplomatic family in the 1960s, where the rhythms of Korea intertwined with the vibrant tapestries of Southeast Asia. Myanmar, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China were my childhood landscapes, each locale a chapter in my evolving narrative. Local schools in the Philippines and Hong Kong became my classrooms, teaching me not just lessons from books but the art of adapting, of becoming a third culture child fluent in the language of diversity.
In the professional arena, my path led me to Kyobo Life, a titan in the Korean life insurance industry, stewarding assets surpassing US$100 billion. For over three decades, I dedicated myself to shaping Corporate Strategy, pioneering digital ecosystems, and managing our footprints in China and Southeast Asia. My journey was one of transformation, excelling in B2B, Human Resources, and Communications.
Now, as the Korea Representative for the Empower Alliance, I pen communiqués that echo across corridors of power, advocating for the rise of women leaders. In collaboration with governments for the G20 Leaders, I strive to weave a future where gender is not a barrier but a beacon of potential.
What key moments in your life have led you to where you are today?
A defining moment unfolded in 1990, when my mentor, Lilia C. Clemente, beckoned me to the World Bank’s Women Empowerment Conference. That invitation ignited the spark of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within me. Since then, my journey has been a mosaic of initiatives and conferences, each a step towards a more inclusive world.
Today, I chair the WIR Mentorship Program at the Korean German Chamber of Commerce and advise the UN Women Center of Excellence in Asia. My past roles, such as Co-Chair of the Women Leaders’ Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and Director for Women in Innovation, saw me crafting mentorship platforms and orchestrating career fairs, lighting the way for future generations.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My passion for service is a legacy from my father, Ambassador Selin Huh, a career diplomat whose wisdom was a guiding star. From my earliest days, he instilled in me the belief that girls, too, must forge their own destinies and shine in their chosen fields. His counsel and support were the bedrock upon which I built my career.
Another cornerstone of my life is my husband, Hosung Kim, a luminary in the film industry. His unwavering support, a constant through the vicissitudes of life, has been my anchor and my guide. The birth of my sons, Bermjune and Hyunjune, added a profound dimension to my journey. They became the heartbeats that spurred me to strive, to balance the scales of motherhood and career. In their eyes, I found the inspiration to be both a proud mother and a dedicated professional, blending love and ambition into a harmonious whole
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