Today I am SO excited to feature my beautiful (yes, she was recently included in The Hill’s Most Beautiful People and yes, that’s a thing) friend Kimi. When I first started working on Capitol Hill, Kimi was one of my first mentors. She is a complete professional and personifies grace under pressure. One of the things I admire about her is her willingness to publicly share her faith.
Another amazing thing about Kimi is that she is now working from home as a Comms Director in Congress as she recently became a mom. The fact that she is able to continue her career while embracing motherhood is such an inspiration to me!
Tell us a bit about yourself/your career
Hey, my name is Kimberly – all my friends and family call me Kimi for short. I am a working, stay-at-home mom (emphasis on the working!) My job (other than chasing a one-year old around the house and changing dirty diapers) is Communications Director for a Member of the United States Congress. Recently, with the birth of my son, my job transitioned into a remote position. Although, my commute is much shorter (to a desk downstairs) it is still more fast-paced than ever. My daily work tasks include: writing press releases, drafting statements for online and print outlets, writing speeches, setting up interviews for my boss on various television and radio programs, overseeing all the office’s social media accounts and much more.
How does your community of women you surround yourself with support you?
One of the things I love best about my community of women – is they encourage and support me as a working mom. The women in my neighborhood knock on my door in the mornings and light a fire under me to exercise. We walk three miles a day – and that keeps my physical body strong! I know that I would never get motivated myself without them. The woman at my church provide meals and offer babysitting when they can tell stress is getting the better of me. And, most importantly my sister and mom (though they live in another state) always check on me and send me scripture verses in times of need or simple little presents in the mail (ie: bath bombs) just to show me they are thinking of me. I am very thankful for the women in my life.
How has your faith influenced your career path?
Faith really is the crux of my career. My faith fuels my drive and passion. Working in politics has its challenges – it’s not always rainbows and sunshine. It can be dark, gloomy and downright mean – especially when dealing with social media venues. My faith has led me to work in the office that I work in right now. I feel blessed to be surrounded by co-workers that value their faith as much as I do – and a boss that follows his faith and convictions even if it’s not considered the ‘popular’ thing to do. Living out my faith gives me purpose. I know that apart from my LORD, I can do nothing. So, I am so very appreciative and pray all the time that GOD will use my career at this very moment – for His will and glory!
What do you wish you could go back and tell your younger self re: your career aspirations?
I would tell myself: expect the unexpected and where GOD leads— follow. I’ve always set goals for myself; nevertheless, my job is not what I dreamed of doing when I was in high school or college. However, it was a door that God opened for me. That does not mean that I just fell into my career. I had to work hard, prove myself and achieve success. Yet, I truly believe this is where God wants to use me. It’s important –no matter how frightening and unachievable a task or ambition sounds –to trust God and step forward in faith. He will provide and equip. He always does!
What’s your career-related mantra?
Love God. Love Others. Work Hard.
