Proud Products of Texas Public Schools

Jennifer Kim

Hastings High School
Alief ISD 

Former Austin City Council member Jennifer Kim was elected at-large in 2005 at the age of 32 and is the first Asian American to serve on the council. While on the council, Kim created the Affordable Housing Incentives Task Force, which successfully brought together developers and advocates to find ways to increase affordable housing in Austin. She also led efforts to secure funding for the new Asian American Resource Center in Austin through a bond election, make child care more accessible for city employees, and protect whistleblowers. Kim has chaired the Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise and Small Business Council Subcommittee, whose efforts help many businesses in Austin to grow and prosper.

Before being elected to the council, she served on the city’s Social Equity Commission, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs and the Census 2000 Complete Count Committee. She has volunteered with the Community Leadership Council, in partnership with the Root Cause Project and 3M Foundation, working with local high school students on community projects such as a survey of needs and a park cleanup.

From 1998 to 2002, Kim worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration as an economic development specialist and as a member of the executive management team. During this period, Kim helped deliver $50 million in grants each year to Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas to create jobs and attract private investment to economically distressed communities.

As a legislative aide for State Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) from 1993 to 1995, she protected disadvantaged and minority communities from environmental threats, including a sludge farm, a low-level radioactive waste facility, and a coal strip-mining project. She was also involved in preserving water quality in San Antonio and Central Texas through protection of the Edwards Aquifer.

Kim holds a bachelor of arts in political science from Texas A&M University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She attended Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Pubic Affairs for her graduate studies, earning a master of public affairs. She is a member of the National League of Cities Board of Directors, and she serves on the board of Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials.