Jeanna Yoo joins the Lick-Wilmerding community as the new Director of Advancement. Her role—primarily dedicated to inspiring philanthropy, forming relationships, and advancing Lick’s mission—is “more than just fundraising,” she said.
Originally born in Guam, Yoo moved to Los Angeles before beginning middle school. After high school, she received a double major degree in Psychology and Art History from UCLA and later earned her M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies from USC.
Yoo’s first job after college was at The Getty Villa in Malibu, where she focused on outreach and marketing. She became a Public Affairs Assistant for the Getty Center during its grand opening and continued her work in development at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
After moving to San Francisco in 2000, Yoo worked for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and later helped the California Academy of Sciences open their new building in the fall of 2008.
Despite years of work in cultural arts, in 2012, Yoo transitioned to a career in education at Children’s Day School, where she would serve as Director of Advancement for almost 12 years.
Yoo’s career switch to education was driven by the communities and shared values that schooling environments foster. “What drew me to education was how it can make such a huge impact. Being a parent myself, it has been a really lovely transition coming into the education space…you’re surrounded by talented faculty and administrators who are also curious, learning, and growing,” she said.
In her free time, Yoo loves spending time with her family, experiencing different cultures abroad, experimenting in the kitchen and collecting handcrafted items. “I enjoy cooking for friends and family, trying different recipes, and experimenting with exotic flavors and spices. My current obsession is pickling and making Korean food,” Yoo said.
As a new member of the LWHS community, Yoo is excited to explore the technical arts—specifically the jewelry classes that they offer. She also hopes to create a sense of belonging and a bright future at LWHS. “The relationship building is really key, especially as a new member of the team here. But also, I think there is an enormous potential to realize the school’s mission. That means, working closely with the board, administration, and families to help make those dreams come true,” she said.
