Taerim Ryu
2025-2026 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader
Manager, The Asan Nanum Foundation
Republic Of Korea
Taerim Ryu is the manager of the Asan Frontier Academy at the Asan Nanum Foundation, which supports entrepreneurs and social innovators to grow, collaborate, and share best practices. The Academy is a leadership development program that brings together professionals from the private and nonprofit sectors to strengthen their management capabilities and individual capacity through project-based learning. Under Taerim’s leadership, the program has expanded to serve underrepresented professionals in non-urban areas and features lectures from leading global experts, resulting in more diverse cohorts and positive feedback. With a background in disaster risk reduction at the 416 Foundation and unification policy, Taerim is driven by a belief in the power of empathy and collective action to grow Korea’s social innovation ecosystem and advance inclusive change.
Meet the 2025-2026 Asia-Pacific Leaders
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Leaders
For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.
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- The Center
- Building the Center
Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Terrace at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.
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- Defending Democracy
- Leaders
- Watch
- Barack Obama
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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