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Meet Our Executive Team
STEMise's executive team consists of hard-working individuals who are determined to change the community!
Founder & Executive Director:
Ryan Ahn
Hi! I’m Ryan, and I am a rising junior studying in Korea. I discovered my deep passion for STEM through my AP Biology class, which I took during my sophomore year. This experience made me realize how fascinating science can be, and it expanded my interest into technology, where I’ve been teaching myself programming languages centered on web development and AI during my free time. I’ve been volunteering consistently since my sophomore year, and I cultivated my passion for helping others while establishing meaningful connections. During this time, I also noticed how engaging, interactive education in STEM was lacking among underprivileged communities, and that local nonprofits failed to address the issue. Wanting to address that, I founded STEMise to combine my love of STEM and volunteering while instilling smiles amongst children with increased accessibility to fun learning.
Head of Finances: Ethan Yang
Hi! My name is Ethan, and I'm a junior at Fayston Preparatory of Suji. My fascination with STEM began during my sophomore year when I started learning about the concepts of AP Physics C and AP Chemistry. Learning about the laws that govern our universe and the reactions that shape our world instilled a deep passion for how science explains everyday life. This interest led me into the field of engineering, where I've been programming, learning, and building things related to mechanical engineering, portable GPS tracker. Apart from STEM, I was always drawn to global issues — taking creative concepts and transforming them into real solutions. Through volunteering in high school, I noticed a recurring trend: the majority of underprivileged students lacked access to interactive and engaging science education. It was this experience that encouraged me to create STEMise together with my friends. Through STEMise, I aim to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences and make STEM education accessible to everyone.
Co-Founder & Operations Head: Dongwon Lee
I still remember the day when I watched a scientific documentary on how the body functions. It was another ordinary afternoon in my 5th-grade school life, but to me, it was the gateway to the wonders of science. From that day forward, my life has been dedicated to learning science: the ineluctable universal laws of physics, the enigmatic causes behind chemical reactions, and the coherence of every cell in our bodies. Each domain was an entrance to a whole new realm, where every piece of information was both baffling, reassuring, and inspirational. Science became my shelter and future. Desiring to inspire younger peers with the same enthusiasm I experienced, I contacted Ryan to co-found STEMise: a student-led organization that constructs simple science kits for children to build, much like Lego pieces, providing fun and interactive experiences with science-focused models. I hope future generations will share the same interest as I do.
Head of Technology: Daniel Shim
My name is Daniel Shim, a sophomore student at Choate Rosemary Hall. My interest in STEM began in middle school when I joined my school’s VEX Robotics team, which later ranked among the top ten in Korea. Since then, I’ve continued exploring my curiosity in science and math by studying college physics and completing calculus and linear algebra. Beyond schoolwork, through active engagement in the Science Mentorship Institute and opportunities such as speaking at the UN Science Summit, I’ve learned how STEM can create meaningful change and inspire collaboration beyond the classroom.
Head of Human Resources: Ryan Lee
My name is Ryan Lee, and I am currently a freshman at Yongsan International School of Seoul in South Korea. It had been just a month since I entered high school, but I’ve been on a long STEM journey throughout my life. For my science studies, I’m currently enrolled in a biology class, and I have always been interested in science from a young age. I purchased science novels and books that I could enjoy, and whenever we had a science lab at school, I was always the one who showed the most interest and was the most skilled at it. I am even more experienced with math. From a young age, I received advanced math education, preparing for math olympiad competitions and other similar events. I studied ahead through all the advanced courses, and I am still learning more. Overall, I am interested in STEM for many reasons, and I am planning to advance my STEM journey through this very club.