Ellen Ahn is a trailblazing Korean-American immigrant, attorney, and social worker whose life’s work has transformed communities across Orange County, California. Her dedication to health equity, social justice, and culturally responsive care is rooted in her own lived experiences having immigrated to the U.S. at age one and grown up navigating systems on behalf of her family and neighbors. With degrees from Yale University (B.A. in History), Georgetown University (Juris Doctor), and the University of Southern California (Master of Social Work), Ellen blends legal acumen with compassionate advocacy. Since 1998, she has served as Executive Director of Korean Community Services (KCS), transforming a struggling organization into a model for culturally competent and community-centered care. Under her visionary leadership, KCS achieved Federally Qualified Health Center designation, a pivotal milestone that expanded comprehensive, accessible, and affordable healthcare services to uninsured and underinsured Asian Americans and other underserved populations. 

Ellen currently oversees a $25 million budget and more than 200 staff members, managing diverse programs including primary care, behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment, dental care, pediatrics, and community support initiatives. Her leadership has resulted in over 65,000 annual patient visits, serving a diverse population through culturally and linguistically tailored care in Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and English. KCS’s comprehensive services address critical community needs from routine healthcare and mental health support to innovative substance abuse treatment and recovery programs.

 Her leadership spans health and behavioral services for Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese-speaking communities, substance use treatment rooted in innovation and accessibility, and community empowerment initiatives such as the “Stop the Hate” campaign and immigrant support programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ellen spearheaded equitable vaccine distribution efforts, reaching thousands through vaccination clinics and public health campaigns that specifically addressed the needs of limited English-speaking Asian American communities disproportionately affected by the virus and anti-Asian hate. 

Ellen is the founder of numerous countywide coalitions including the Asian Pacific Islander Task Force and the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies, amplifying collective power among diverse organizations. Her impact reaches into policymaking through board roles at CalOptima and the Orange County Human Relations Commission, where she advocated for equitable access to healthcare for low-income residents and addressed racial and ethnic disparities. 

Her scholarly contributions include co-authoring “Profiles of the Korean Community in Orange County” and the “COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Best Practices Checklist” research that has informed policies and programs aimed at reducing health and social service disparities. Ellen’s writing has shaped local research and national best practices, demonstrating her commitment to evidence-based advocacy and systemic change. Among her accolades are the Power of Woman Award from Orange Coast Magazine, Local Hero Award from OC Grantmakers, and Woman of the Year recognition from the California State Assembly. Fluent in Korean and conversant in Spanish, Ellen remains devoted to bridging cultural divides, uplifting immigrant voices, and transforming systems.

 Her life’s work embodies the core values of social work: service, dignity, and justice. As a nominee to the Social Work Hall of Distinction, she stands as a beacon of integrity, courage, and enduring impact.