Who is Sunghee (Sophie)?

I’m interested in the psychological and cultural dynamics behind strategic marketing decision-making, especially in Japanese and U.S. organizations. With a background in strategy and MIS, I explore how leadership, branding, and emotion shape consumer and organizational behavior—using both qualitative insight and data tools like Python, R, and econometrics.

I aim to bridge behavioral theory and practical marketing strategy, and to support innovation through cultural and digital insight.

Guiding Value: “Deliver information promptly”

Dedicated to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in all professional tasks, always seeking to understand the expectations and purposes behind report requests.
Valuing and respecting others' time as a vital resource, committed to delivering high-quality results.

My Stengths

Education

Master of Science in Management | University of California, Irvine, California, USA (2015)

Specialization: Information Systems

Master of Science in Management | Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea (2010)

Specialization: Strategic Management

Bachelor of Business Administration | Hongik University, Seoul, South Korea (2007, Early Graduation)

Cumulative GPA: 4.14 / 4.5 (converted to ~3.68 on a 4.0 scale)
Marketing Division Lead and Discussion Facilitator, Hong-Ik BRAIN (Student Research Group) (2005-2007)

Research Interest
- Behavioral and emotional mechanisms in organizational decision-making and identity construction
- Human–machine interaction and digital influence in adaptive strategy and leadership
- Narrative, cultural framing, and psychological uncertainty in innovation and institutional change
- Modeling the convergence of these dynamics in long-term branding, institutional identity, and organizational adaptation

Teaching and Research Assistant
- Teaching Assistant
  - - Strategic Management (MBA, Undergraduate), Empirical Data Analysis (PhD), Growth and Innovation (Undergraduate)
    - Information Systems (MBA, Undergraduate), Data Base Management (Undergraduate), E-Business Management (MBA)
    - Data & Accounting (Undergraduate)
- Research Assistant
  - - Digital Strategies & Markets (UC Irvine, 2013-2015)
      - Investigated consumer purchase propensities on travel websites, yielding critical insights into consumer behavior dynamics.
    - Social Media & Business Value (Yonsei University, 2011-2012)
      - Inverstigated Social Media open and the company's stock price by Event Study
    - Competition, Innovation, and Growth in Internet Portal Industry (Yonsei University, 2008-2010)
      - Investigated Website Traffic Data to apply to the behavioral theory of the firm (Leader's Aspiration vs. Performance Feedback)

Professional Experience

Transportation Services Analyst

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Non-Profit, Rancho Cucamonga, California

September 2023 – July 2024

Led initiatives to reduce Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA), resulting in quarterly savings exceeding $4 million through predictive analytics.
Developed Power BI dashboards that reduced grievances by 25%.
Enhanced data integrity and automated reporting systems, decreasing decision-making lead time by one day.

Information Analyst II

Hyundai Mobis Quality Center of America, Ontario, California

March 2021 – July 2023

Created KPI dashboards using Power BI, Excel, and Python, leading to a 15% reduction in warranty costs.
Forecasted warranty claims, optimizing financial planning and resource allocation.
Analyzed recall data, improving response times by 4 hours.

Project Manager

Spigen Inc., Irvine, California

January 2016 – February 2019

Managed the development of a dashboard website integrated with Amazon data.
Led sub brand UX/UI improvements, increasing click-through rates by 5%
Amazon and eBay seller experience (January 2016 - August 2016)

Sophie Gamboa Making a difference everyday.pdf

Formal Recognations

Formal recognition from Mike Grant, Head of Member Services (overseeing Transportation Services) – October 2023
Employee of the Month, Hyundai Mobis America Quality Center
– October 2022

... More?

I'm passionate about Japanese culture and its depth, which have profoundly shaped both my personal journey and professional path.
I also practiced Kendo, through which I learned discipline, presence, and respect — values that continue to guide how I think, act, and collaborate.
I enjoy old pop, J-pop, rock, and classical music — from The Beatles, ABBA, and Metallica to SMAP, Luna Sea, Timelesz and Classical Crossover.
I embrace diversity with an open mind and continuously seek meaningful ways to grow and contribute to the communities around me.