THE TEAM
Charles Wee is the founder, Principal Designer and Inventor of LifeArk. He is the President of GDS Architects, an international architectural firm specializing in the U.S., Korea, and China. Charles worked for DMJM, a part of AECOM, before co-founding AJLA. After 35+ years in the field, Charles left the commercial architecture world and devoted the rest of his career to developing LifeArk as a social impact venture. Charles spent the last 7 years bringing LifeArk to market with all building, construction, and material certifications and approvals.
Paul Cho joined LifeArk as the Chief Financial Officer after serving as the COO/CFO and Co-Founder of The Illumination Foundation for 13 years. Paul established Illumination Housing LLC, a social impact investment fund for the purpose of acquiring and developing properties to provide housing for the homeless. Prior to his nonprofit work, he was an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch for 16 years executing corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, and private equity transactions in New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul.
Paul Nugent, PhD, MEng is a Technical Advisor for LifeArk - with expertise in the rotational molding industry since 1987, he is an independent, international expert and member of the Association of Rotational Molders. He served as Director of Technology for Remcon Plastics, Inc. and is currently the Director of Polymer Link Sdn. Dhd. Paul has developed systems & technologies widely used in the industry. Paul has a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the The Queen’s University of Belfast in Ireland.
Rebecca Wee oversees programs and community implementation strategies at LifeArk with her background in humanitarian organizations. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Studio Arts from University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. She is committed to empowering women and children to reach their full potential and access more equitable pathways towards stability.
Michael Collins is the co-founder of GDS Architects, a LEED Green Associate and member of CTBUH and Urban Land Institute. With 22+ years of architecture and master planning experiences, he is the project director of LifeArk, overseeing the design and engineering processes .
Drew Garcia has a MBA from Stanford University and 20+ years of product management experience working in Silicon Valley for small startups and large high-tech companies including SugarSync, TimeBridge and Yahoo. He is passionate about the global impact of LifeArk.
Michael Kim has been advising LifeArk since its inception. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services and investment sectors, including investing in both private and public companies at various stages of their development. He currently manages assets on behalf of a single-family investment firm.
LifeArk / GDS Korea
Jang Jae Young is the Principal Director of GDS Korea and has 27+ years of architecture and engineering experience. Young graduated from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea with an M.S. from Kookmin University and directs all technical architecture and engineering production for LifeArk.
Sohn Yongwon is a Senior Manager of GDS Korea with 20+ years of architecture and engineering experience. Yongwon graduated from Hongik University in Seoul and specializes in project managing, architectural and engineering drawings and directs technical and engineering consultants.
Kang Minwook is a Senior Manager of GDS Korea with 20+ years of architecture and engineering experience. Minwook graduated from Korea University in Seoul and specializes in graphics, architectural and engineering drawings and directs technical and engineering consultants.
Jang Sungjin is a Manager for GDS Korea with 6+ years of architecture and engineering experience. Sungjin graduated from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea and specializes in architectural drawings and 3D graphics.