Michelle MiJung Kim

Michelle MiJung Kim (she/her) is a queer Korean American immigrant woman writer, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur. She is the CEO and co-founder of Awaken, a leading provider of interactive equity and inclusion education programs. Kim is also the award-winning author of "The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change," which has garnered recognition including the 2022 Nautilus Gold Medal and the 2021 Porchlight Personal Development & Human Behavior Book of the Year Award. Through her leadership at Awaken, she has leveraged her expertise to consult with hundreds of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, tech giants, nonprofits, and government agencies, guiding them on their paths to meaningful change.

Kim's activism extends beyond her professional work. She has been a lifelong social justice advocate, contributing her insights and leadership to various boards and committees. Her current roles include serving on the board of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s Advisory Committee. Her involvement also spans to other organizations, including LYRIC nonprofit’s Board of Directors and the Build Tech We Trust Coalition. Kim's influential voice in diversity and inclusion has earned her accolades such as being named Medium’s Top Writer in Diversity for three consecutive years.

Her insights and thought leadership have been showcased on global platforms such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The New York Times, and NPR. Additionally, Kim's commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding is evident in her public speaking engagements, including keynote speeches at events like PCMA Convening Leaders and the Awaken Culture Summit 2018. She also spoke at the 2017 UC Berkeley Lavender Graduation and has participated in podcast discussions covering topics such as politics, race, and inclusive language in the workplace. Kim resides in Oakland, California, where she continues to inspire and influence widespread progressive change.