Rev. Mark Hong immigrated from South Korea in 1971 and grew up in Southern California. For 34 years, he has ministered to both Korean-speaking immigrant congregations and English-speaking next generation Korean American and multiethnic congregations.

Rev. Hong began serving in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, Presbyterian Church USA in 1982, starting as Director of Education at Downey Presbyterian Church in Los Ranchos Presbytery. From there, he went on to roles as director of education, associate pastor, and head of staff at several churches in presbyteries across Southern California. He began his current position as Executive and Stated Clerk for the synod in 2017.

Storyteller, Healing Our World: Addressing the Wounds of Racism

Candace Sofia Carnicelli is a longtime peace activist and nonviolence practitioner, artist and educator. She considers herself an omnist – one who recognizes and respects all religions and the sacred truths on which they are established – and ascribes to the Dalai Lama’s proclamation, “My religion is kindness.” Drawing from the mystical vein of Catholicism in which she grew up, Candace has been inspired by a variety of interfaith experiences and practices.

She joined Common Peace, Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence (www.commonpeace.org) as a volunteer during Arun Gandhi’s first Season for Nonviolence in 1998. She became Executive Director in 2007. Candace’s greatest passion is the art of nonviolence and the power and possibilities of restorative justice, and finding creative ways to communicate about them. She holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh in speech science and an MA from Florida State University in theatre arts and voice. Candace is also a longtime paralegal and educator in the legal field. However, she considers it her greatest educational blessing to have been mentored since 1998 by the Rev. James Lawson, Jr., renowned architect and strategist of the U.S. nonviolence movement. 

A longtime member of the Topanga Peace Alliance, Candace also is involved in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition for Justice and Peace and James Lawson Institute. She served  for many years as a volunteer producer on KPFK 90.7 FM’s Morning Review. Candace has co-facilitated the Peace Center’s monthly Common Peace – Race Relay dialogue for the past six years. Currently, she is touring her one-woman show, “Becoming Peace: A One Woman Rhythmic Dramedy about Power, Culture, Violence and Nonviolence.”

Storyteller, Healing Our World: Addressing the Wounds of Racism

Khulood Madany

A Los Angeles native, Khulood Madany identifies as a citizen of the world, having spent her formative years in Jordan, The Gambia, and Belize. She graduated with honors from USC with a dual degree in accounting/business administration. Khulood then launched her corporate accounting career at KPMG, earning her CPA. A fierce champion for impactful conversations surrounding race, equity, inclusion, and representation, Khulood served during her KPMG tenure as Co-Chair of the African American Network. Currently at NBC Universal, she spearheaded and serves on the Finance Inclusion and Action Committee.

Khulood is an activist to her soul. Her passion focuses on global empowerment of Muslims to reclaim the strength in their Islamic identity. Having lived and observed Islam in cultures including Arab, African, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian, she is channeling her unique lens and experiences in a YouTube project, ImmortallyKhulood. A primary impetus for the project has been to open the door to racially sensitive and difficult issues she has seen in many Muslim communities. A coach and mentor to diverse professionals, Khulood serves on the UMMA Community Clinic board and previously was on the Norman Topping Governing Board at USC.