Sung-Joo Kim Biography

Ms. Sung-Joo Kim is the Founder of Sungjoo Group, which consists of Sungjoo Merchandising Inc. (SMI) and Sungjoo Design Tech & Distribution Inc. (SDD). She is also a Chairperson of MCM Group/MCM Products AG./MCM Lederwaren GmbH, for the global business.

Ms. Kim has been involved in the fashion industry for more than 20 years. Since 1990, Sungjoo Group has successfully launched several globally renowned brands as an exclusive franchisee as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Sonia Rykiel and Marks & Spencer, with more than 100 direct run stores in Korea. The company has also acquired MCM's global business, distributing to more than 150 retailers in 30 countries worldwide.

Ms. Kim has been featured in numerous publications and media broadcasts including Forbes, Asiaweek, CNN, CNBC and the BBC. She was also selected as one of the "1997 Global Leaders of Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland) and was chosen as one of "The 20 Most Powerful International Businesswomen" by Working Woman (New York, 1999) and as one of the "7 Most Powerful Women in Asia" by Asiaweek (Hong Kong, 2001). In addition, CNN nominated her as one of the "New Century Leaders" for "The Best of Asia news feature" and she was ranked among the "Top 50 Women to Watch" by the Wall Street Journal (Global Edition, 2004). She was named Honoree of the Year (2007) by the Asian American Federation in New York and received the 2008 Enterprising Women Hall of Fame Award (Florida/Feb. 2008) and recognized as the Artemis Awardee by EAWC (Athens/May. 2008).

As a successful businesswoman with a strong sense of Corporate Social Responsibility, Ms. Kim considers serving society as one of her utmost duties in her personal and corporate life. This is reflected in her active involvement in several non-profit charity and cultural organizations, including Save the Children (as a BoD for Korea) and Asia House (as a Trustee for UK), and many others. In addition, she firmly believes in the power of women to improve global society and is actively involved in many prominent women's organizations including the Global Summit of Women (USA), Women's Leadership Board (Harvard University/USA), World Women's Forum (France), and Women's International Networking (Switzerland).