Board of Directors in US
Alma Cho, President
Alma Cho graduated from Stanford University with an English degree in 1995 and received her Master’s in Education from UC Berkeley in 1999. Alma has worked with Partners in School Innovation, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. She collaborated with administrators, teachers and students on various projects in urban settings. For the last several years Alma has worked as a third-grade teacher of history and science at Live Oak Academy. Alma serves as GEM for Niger’s President and serves as prayer liaison for Grace Académie at Peninsula Bible Church.
Kevin Bendemire, Secretary
Kevin Bendemire graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. He also holds a Juris Doctor from U.C. Hastings College of the Law. Currently, Kevin is a Senior International Tax Counsel at Agilent Technologies, Inc. Before joining Agilent, he worked at the global law firm, Baker McKenzie LLP. Kevin has advised and/or served on the board of several nonprofits, including one that provides free legal services to the poor in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sarah Hong, Treasurer
Sarah Hong received Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees in music from the Juilliard School in 1996 & 1998, respectively. She has served as a music director and board member of AMASE (Academy of Music and Arts for Special Education) and KAMSA (Korean American Music Supporters Association). As Treasurer, Sarah oversees various aspects of the organization’s finances, including the development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements, and reporting financial results to GEM for Niger's board and sponsors.
Aileen Chung, Executive Director, Founder
Aileen Chung graduated from UCLA in 1978. Aileen then served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in Western Samoa. She has taught in various public and private high schools in California as a math/science teacher for many years. Since 2009, Aileen has been a missionary working in Niger.
John Kim, Director
Marilyn Davidson, Director
