Patty Oh
Executive Director
admin@cooloc.org
From seasoned business professional to passionate environmental advocate, Patty Oh leads Cool OC in educating the public on climate change and providing resources for sustainable living. With a 20-year career in sales, marketing, and brand management, including six years as a sales and brand director for Harley-Davidson products, Patty transitioned to community activism in 2016.
In 2019, she co-founded Asian Americans in Action to engage the API community in local politics and advocate for progressive policies. As a long-time climate activist, Patty has worked with various organizations to advocate for strong climate action plans, community choice energy and increasing awareness on the pressing challenges of climate change. She is a trained Climate Reality Leader and served as Vice Chair of the OC Chapter of the Climate Reality Project, focusing on public education and local government advocacy.
In 2022, Patty was tapped to lead the Cool Irvine pilot program, which trained block leaders in sustainable living and disaster preparedness. Building on this success, she launched Cool OC to expand these efforts across Orange County, prioritizing disadvantaged communities. Patty is one of the few AAPI leaders to head an environmental nonprofit in the region and the nation.
Under her dynamic leadership, Cool OC continues to be a beacon of hope and action in the fight against climate change. Patty’s work inspires and empowers individuals and communities to make informed, impactful decisions for a sustainable future.
Advisory Council Members
Dr. Alan Woo
Dr. Alan H. Woo, a passionate advocate for anti-poverty initiatives and affordable housing, has dedicated his life to community development. Born in Toisan, China, he faced discrimination in South Central Los Angeles, sparking a commitment to combat inadequate education and racial disparities. Currently serving as Deputy Director of Santa Ana Unidos and a board member for the Affordable Housing Clearinghouse, Woo's influence extends through various roles, including Planning Commissioner for the City of Santa Ana. With a public policy and social transformation background, he has impacted communities in Southern California and beyond, creating housing and economic opportunities and advocating for minority businesses. Woo's extensive recognition underscores his profound contributions to community building and poverty alleviation.
Alexander Kim, MBA
Alexander Kim is the Founder and Principal of Three Kings Public Affairs, Co-Principal of Windfall Strategics LLC. He has over 20 years of experience in government affairs, including pivotal roles in the City of Los Angeles and State of California. Holding an MBA from Pepperdine University and is a frequent guest lecturer on government/public affairs. He is a Network of Korean Americans (NetKAL) Fellow at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work. Alexander obtained a B.S. in Biology/Minor in Political Science at U.C. Irvine, where he co-founded the University of California at Irvine (UCI) Korean American Alumni Chapter as its first president and remains active as an alumni in the Anteater community.
The Team Behind the Cool Irvine Website
The Next Step, a program of Irvine-based educational organization CodeSpeak Labs, is a team of ambitious and creative students working with professional mentors. Students in grades 9-14 developed the graphics and built the Cool Irvine website. Many of us are proud Irvine residents! - Sarah, Anika, Justin, Brittanie, Salma, Kyla, and Cheuk.
