Soo Dean

Soo leads teams that generate more than $30 million in annual giving and membership revenue, totaling $137 million over the past five years. She manages a portfolio of donors giving $25,000 and above, including major and endowment donors giving $100,000 or more. Soo also provides executive leadership for the membership and development departments and fosters cross-functional collaboration to identify and advance strategic opportunities, strengthen organizational alignment, and drive shared goals.

Soo was born and raised in South Korea and moved to the U.S. as an adult. She holds a B.A. in English and is expected to complete her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in December 2026. Soo joined the Aquarium as a guest services representative and has held several positions within the organization. In the community, Soo has also served as a board member and development committee chair at a local charter school for several years.