A native of Southern Illinois, Kim graduated college in 1981 and moved to Dallas, Texas where she worked in finance for Lomas and Nettleton Financial Corporation and Frito-Lay, Inc. While in Dallas, she met Ray Kang and they were married in 1991.
In 1998, her family moved to Wayzata. Although the move was primarily due to a job relocation, the Kang’s were drawn to the “quality of life” and “family focus” that Minnesota offered. Texas had been lacking in several areas, such as education and healthcare, that were important to them for their two daughters; the youngest with disabilities. In 2003, they moved to Orono and have since enjoyed a more rural lifestyle.
Person of Action
From starting a non-profit, to organizing a national event on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, to assisting people affected by brain injury prepare their testimonies to give at the State Capitol, Kim is defined as a “person of action.” No matter how big or small a project, she is able to effectively organize it and get it done.
Consensus Builder
Kim has worked with national, state, and local groups to build consensus and turn mission into reality. In order to do this, Kim has worked with diverse groups to find common ground. She understands that willingness to compromise while adhering to core values is necessary. She has most strikingly shown this leadership trait in her work as a nationally recognized child advocate. She co-founded and built a successful nonprofit that bridged differences between professionals and parents in the field of child abuse/neglect. Her nonprofit just celebrated its 12th anniversary this year and remains a testament to her ability.
Responsive to People
Kim has been an advocate for thousands of people or family members affected by disabilities by helping them navigate the educational, healthcare, and legal systems. She currently provides advocacy support for parents of young children birth to five years of age at PACER Center. It is her belief that being a good listener and understanding the everyday challenges of the people she represents makes her a more effective advocate at the Capitol.
Public Policy Savvy
Kim has experience lobbying at the federal level and state level and has been involved in state public policy for the past five years.
In addition, she routinely is required to review and comment on federal and state agency regulations, which gives her an appreciation of the role of law and regulation (actual implementation of the law). In addition, she is familiar with the legislative process and trains parents of children with disabilities what that process is and how to become effective advocates within the legislative process. She strongly believes that active, engaged citizens should be part of the process to influence good policy and deter bad policy.
Personal Background
11 year resident of the district; 4 years in Wayzata, 7 years in Orono
Married 19 years to Ray, Business consultant
Two daughters; 17 and 14; Orono High School
Bachelor of Science, Southern Illinois University
Professional Background
Public Policy and Early Childhood Director, PACER Center
Community Organizer/Public Policy Assistant, Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
Chair, Coalition for Children with Disabilities
Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Executive Committee
Lobbyist, Education and Healthcare
Corporate Staff Accountant, Frito-Lay, Inc. (Dallas, TX)
National and State Activities
Co-founder and past Executive Director of nonprofit, The Shaken Baby Alliance
Advisory board of National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Past Board member, The Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
Past member, State of Minnesota Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board
