Korea Social Investment Marks 10th Anniversary, Transitions to C-Level System... "Strengthening Responsible Management and Expertise"

From the left, Jong-ik Lee, CEO of Korea Social Investment (57), Sun-yeol Lee, CEO (44), and Hyemi Lee, Director (33).

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Korea Social Investment announced on the 11th that it will transition to a 'C-level' executive structure in celebration of its 10th anniversary. As the organization expands, it plans to strengthen responsible management and enhance expertise by placing young leadership at the forefront.

Korea Social Investment is a nonprofit impact investment firm and accelerator established in 2012. Since its founding, it has provided financial support (59.2 billion KRW) to a total of 427 companies and non-financial support to 386 companies. Major partners include △Seoul Metropolitan Government △Woori Bank △Kyobo Life Insurance △IBK Industrial Bank of Korea △Hana Financial Group △Korea Electric Power Corporation △National Health Insurance Service, among others.

With the introduction of a chief executive structure, CEO and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) roles are held by CEO Jong-ik Lee, newly appointed co-CEO and Chief Social Impact Officer (CSIO) Soon-yeol Lee, and Director Hyemi Lee serves as Chief Communication Officer (CCO).

CEO Jong-ik Lee, formerly a partner at Deloitte Anjin LLC, has led Korea Social Investment since December 2016 and concurrently holds the CEO and CIO positions.

Lee assumed leadership when the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s social investment fund project, which Korea Social Investment had managed for about four years, concluded. He ushered in the Korea Social Investment 2.0 era, expanding new business and successfully executing social contribution and CSR projects with major corporations and public enterprises such as Volkswagen Group Korea, Kyobo Life Insurance, and Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC). He also led the launch of personal investment associations and venture investment associations and initiated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) projects with Hana Financial Group.

Newly appointed co-CEO Soon-yeol Lee concurrently serves as CSIO. Since joining in January 2017, Lee has overseen Korea Social Investment’s acceleration and investment operations. He strengthened global business through collaborations with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology and KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and systematically led acceleration efforts with MetLife Foundation, National Health Insurance Service, and IBK Industrial Bank of Korea. He currently oversees social impact measurement and management for Korea Social Investment’s portfolio companies.

Director Hyemi Lee, a former economic newspaper journalist, manages internal and external communications for the foundation and oversees promotion of acceleration and investment projects. She joined in July 2019 and is responsible for branding, PR, publicity, and communication consulting for startups supported by Korea Social Investment.

Lee is recognized for enhancing Korea Social Investment’s brand value and strengthening communication with key stakeholders such as sponsors and partners. As a member of the MZ generation leadership, she became the youngest director upon joining the board.

Korea Social Investment plans to pursue changes for 'Korea Social Investment 3.0' by appointing a female CEO and fostering young leadership.

CEO Jong-ik Lee stated, "Thanks to young and talented individuals, Korea Social Investment is entering 3.0 with strengthened leadership. We will continue to accelerate the development of female leadership and young talent and consistently produce C-level leaders."