Alumni Spotlight: Hyoin Kim

Hyoin Kim is a Class of 2025 alumna of the Carter School and currently serves as a Sustainable Development and Economic Affairs Intern at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on international society, she majored in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University.

During her studies at George Mason University Korea, Hyoin gained practical experience across a range of organizations, including the Green Climate Fund, Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia, and NGOs. Her work primarily focused on education and capacity-building initiatives, as well as social media PR, with the aim of effectively communicating knowledge and values to broader audiences. In Fairfax, she interned at the Better Evidence Project and The Narrative Transformation Lab, and also served as Marketing Chair of the Carter School Ambassadors. In March 2025, she represented the Carter School alongside the Dean at the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights at the University of Oxford. She continues to regard the Carter School community and her time in the US as a lasting source of inspiration and motivation.

“I believe everyone has the power to create positive change. The diverse experiences I pursued beyond my comfort zone as a student shaped who I am today and continue to guide how I engage with the international community. Make it count!”

- Hyoin Kim

After graduation, Hyoin returned to the Republic of Korea and has been working at UN ESCAP since September 2025. In this role, she primarily supports the planning and implementation of international forums on Sustainable Development Goals and development cooperation. One of her key experiences was the 9th East and North-East Asia Multi-Stakeholder Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable 

Development Goals, held in Mongolia in October 2025. She managed participant coordination and logistics for over 200 participants from governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, supported on-site forum operations, and contributed to the Forum’s visibility by designing promotional materials and producing a highlight video. Engaging with diverse stakeholders around SDG Goals 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17 highlighted the importance of inclusive knowledge- and experience-sharing across sectors. Looking ahead, Hyoin hopes to continue advancing sustainable development and peacebuilding in the international community.