Joo Young joined Thorn Run as Vice President in January 2022.  She brings a unique background working in the government and non-profit sectors, which she utilizes in her engagement with clients from all over the country.  Joo Young focuses on strategic alignment of clients’ priorities with thoughtful ways to enhance their visibility in Washington, DC.

Prior to Thorn Run, Joo Young worked for a small government relations firm where she served as a Managing Director.  During her tenure she supported a diverse portfolio of clients in identifying and capturing more than $20M in federal and foundation funding for research, program and capacity building projects.  Projects range from large multi-institutional research on rare diseases to building capacity in communities to target critical services for children and families.

Joo Young also served as Director for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMSP), funded by a $1.6B grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for several years before moving to the firm.  She oversaw the daily operations of the scholarship program with a focus on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations in collaboration with her partner colleagues at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS).  During her time with GMSP, the program disbursed more than $40M in last-dollar scholarship funding to outstanding students.

In addition, Joo Young has a demonstrated commitment to public service.  She started her career as a Legislative Assistant to California State Senator Tom Hayden.  Joo Young continued her service to the State of California while working for four different State Assembly Speakers in the California Legislature’s Office of Federal Relations to advocate for the issues of concern to the state.

Joo Young graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Political Science.  She currently resides in Los Angeles.