Early Life and Education
Yongmee Michele Kang was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 1, 1959. She moved to the United States and pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Chicago and a master's degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management. Kang's upbringing instilled in her a passion for learning and hard work, influencing her to pursue her dreams despite cultural norms.
Career and Achievements
Kang began her career as a management consultant, advising companies on technology-driven innovation. She later held a senior executive position at Northrop Grumman, where she quadrupled the Information Technology Health Solutions division. In 2008, Kang founded Cognosante, a healthcare technology company that provided IT solutions to government agencies. The company was sold to Accenture Federal Services in 2024. Kang's success in business led to her recognition as a leader in the STEM field and as an entrepreneur. She received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award for the Washington, D.C. region and was inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame.
Women's Sports and Philanthropy
In 2022, Kang became the majority owner of the Washington Spirit, becoming the first woman of color to own an NWSL team. She expanded her involvement in women's football by acquiring Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in 2023 and London City Lionesses. Kang is the founder of Kynisca Sports International, a multi-team global organization dedicated to advancing women's football. She has also pledged significant financial support to U.S. Soccer and other organizations. In 2025, she was named ESPN’s Sports Philanthropist of the Year.
