Review the planned lectures, debates, topics, and confirmed faculty for KASS 2024 in our Preliminary Scientific Program, available now.

Helena Ku Rhee is an award-winning author of stories for kids and the young at heart. Her bestselling book THE PAPER KINGDOM was included on many year-end Best Books lists, including NPR, BookPage, Kirkus, Parents Magazine and the Los Angeles Public Library, among others. It was also featured on Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, and ABC – TV. Helena is also the author of SORA’S SEASHELLS, which is a recipient of the 2024 Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor, as well as ROSA’S SONG, THE TURTLE SHIP and SHOES OFF, PLEASE (forthcoming 2025). Her essays have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and Salon (see here).

Helena is currently based in Los Angeles (her hometown), but she has also lived in various parts of the U.S., Asia and Europe. She loves to travel far and wide across this beautiful planet, counting among her favorite journeys a camping trip in the Sahara, a swim with elephants in Thailand and a horseback-riding tour of Easter Island. She draws story ideas from her travels as well as her childhood.

Jason Pak serves as the Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With over a 14 years of experience in the field of veterans and defense affairs, Jason’s career combines military, public, and private sector expertise to serve and support veterans, service members, and their families. Pak holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BS in systems engineering from West Point.

In his current role in Veterans and Defense Affairs, Pak oversee three state agencies that provide vital support and services to veterans and Virginia’s defense community, such as transition, employment, education, health care, and long-term care. As a combat veteran, having served in Afghanistan and received the Purple Heart Medal, Jason is passionate and committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those who have served and sacrificed for our country and our freedom.