Meet Renee Kim

Renee Kim currently works for the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence as the Equity and Access Coordinator. In this role, she leads the Communities of Color Task Force, People of Color Caucus, and the Faith Leaders Workgroup. In her role, she facilitates and organizes leadership gatherings for people who work in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy to come together and support one another so they can continue to give to others. Renee’s career began as an advocate for victims of domestic violence/sexual assault, which led to a federal grant program co-locating advocates in law enforcement agencies and then administering the STOP Violence Against Women Act grant funds for the State of Oregon.

Renee earned her MSW from Portland State University (PSU) and also has her LCSW. She had the opportunity to work at PSU as the Diversity Outreach Coordinator and Recruitment and Retention Specialist for the School of Social Work. In addition, she served first-generation students who are the first in their families to graduate from college as part of her work with Diversity and Multicultural Services for the TRIO/Student Support Services program. Renee is still very passionate about this work and has a private practice where she provides clinical supervision to first-generation MSWs who want to bring their unique perspectives and talents to make this world a more joyous and equitable place to live.

Renee likes to think of life as a spiritual journey and that we are all connected to one another more than we realize. Her APAWLI experience cemented this thought, prompting her to become a “whole person leader” and take personal and professional risks that led to fulfilling growth. In her opinion, each risk was worth it because life’s richest outcomes come from summoning the courage to move forward.  Renee holds firmly to the CAPAW principle that “it is not who are that holds you back, it’s who you think you are not that does.”