아이린 최는 레드스톤 에퀴티 파트너스의 인수 담당 수석 부사장으로, 저소득 주택 세금 공제의 투자 관리, 재무 인수 및 신디케이션을 담당하고 있습니다. 레드스톤에 합류하기 전, 아이린은 커뮤니티 렌딩 앤 인베스트먼트 그룹의 웰스파고에서 3년간 근무했습니다.
경력 내내 아이린은 전국에 13억 달러 이상의 저렴한 주택을 위한 주식 투자를 진행했습니다.
어반랜드 인스티튜트의 REACH(Recret, Empower, Access, Connect, Hustle) 이니셔티브 운영위원회 위원으로서 BIPOC 전문가를 위한 멘토링 프로그램을 진행하고 있습니다.
또한 아이린은 로스앤젤레스의 비영리 저렴한 주택 개발 조직에서 이사회 부의장을 역임했습니다. 자랑스러운 한국계 미국인 안젤레노이자 더블 브루인으로 국제개발학 학사와 스페인어 부전공을 졸업했으며 현재 UCLA 앤더슨에서 경영학 석사(Executive MBA) 후보로 재직 중입니다.
Irene Choi
Title: Senior Vice President
Company: red stone equity partners
Irene
Choi Biography:
Irene
Choi is a Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at Red Stone Equity Partners,
where she is responsible for the investment management, financial underwriting,
and syndication of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Prior to joining Red Stone,
Irene spent 3 years at Wells Fargo in the Community Lending & Investments
Group. Throughout her career, Irene has deployed over $1.3 billion in equity
investments for affordable housing across the country.
As a
member of the Steering Committee for the REACH (Recruit, Empower, Access,
Connect, Hustle) Initiative at Urban Land Institute, she facilitates mentorship
programs for BIPOC professionals. Irene also served as the Vice Chair of the
Board of Directors at a non-profit affordable housing development organization
in Los Angeles. Irene is a proud Korean-American, Angeleno, and double Bruin-
she graduated with a BA in International Development Studies and minor in
Spanish, and is currently an Executive MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson.
The Meaning of Celebrating Korean Day for Three Generations
Today
is Korean American Day, where we celebrate the arrival of
the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. in 1903 and honor the incredible
contributions of the Korean American community. When the Sunset Fire broke out
in LA last week, I frantically rushed to my dad’s house in Hollywood to pack up
all of our family belongings. Thankfully, we are safe from the fires now. In
moving our family belongings to my home (which is a safe distance from the
fires), I sifted through family photo albums, reflected on my family’s journey
to the US, and wanted to share a glimpse of our story with you.
My
grandparents, two aunts, and uncle immigrated to Los Angeles from Seoul in
1976, followed by my dad after completing his mandatory military service in
Korea. With limited English skills, they took on blue-collar jobs—janitorial
work, sewing in the fashion district, and delivering deli goods—pooling their
earnings to support one another. Through hard work and sacrifice, they saved
enough to purchase a family home in Hollywood, which became a safe haven and a
headquarters for the next generation, including me.
In
the 1990s, my dad and uncle ran liquor stores but faced immense challenges
during the LA riots, including protecting their stores with a rotating
nightwatch and a trip to the ER after an assault. They transitioned to the
roofing business, teaching each other the trade, and continue to run their
businesses today. My mom, who majored in ballet at Ewha Womans
University, opened Jean Ballet School in Koreatown in 2003 to serve children
from low-income families and foster pride in their Korean heritage through
dance. Growing up, my weekends consisted of performing across Los
Angeles communities through events like Korean Culture Night at the Hollywood
Bowl and Korean Night at Dodger Stadium.
Our
family’s story reflects the resilience, unity, and determination that define so
many immigrant journeys. From humble beginnings to building a legacy in LA, I
am proud of the roots we’ve planted and the contributions we’ve made to our
city and beyond in chasing the “American Dream.”
To
commemorate Korean American Day, here are some photos from our family albums
that capture our journey. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me.
