In this episode of The Empowered Adoptee Podcast, we sit down with Jenna, an American, transracial Korean adoptee currently residing on Jeju-Do, South Korea. Jenna’s life journey reflects a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-discovery through meaningful connection and storytelling.

Jenna’s path has been anything but conventional. Before relocating to Korea in 2023, she made history as the first female mayor of Royersford, Pennsylvania, where she served her community with passion and vision from 2018 to 2023. Prior to her time in public service, Jenna spent a decade as a student affairs professional in higher education, earning her MA in education at Bucknell University.

In this heartfelt conversation, Jenna shares how her experiences have shaped her advocacy for adoptees seeking their origin stories. She opens up about finding her birth parents and siblings, her transition to life in South Korea, the intersectional layers of her identity, and how asking others about their stories has helped her uncover her own truths.


Stay Connected with Jenna:

Get a more detailed glimpse into Jenna's life in Korea. 

Subscribe to Jenna's Substack to follow her insights, reflections, interviews, and stories: linktr.ee/jennaleekim

Connect with her on Instagram: @mayor.jenna.explores


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