Esther Kim

Education: B.A. and two Master’s degrees in Environmental Engineering and Technology Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Recent projects include: The James Irvine Foundation, CFLeads, The San Francisco Foundation, New Profit

Personal interests include: Snowboarding, rock climbing, backpacking, ukulele, spending time with family

Esther is a seasoned nonprofit executive and business consultant with over 15 years of experience helping organizations thrive and achieve their goals. Her experience spans multiple sectors including philanthropy, nonprofits, Fortune 500 consulting, and government program evaluation. For over eight years, Esther served in leadership roles at REDF, a California venture philanthropy organization dedicated to creating jobs and pathways for individuals facing barriers to employment.

She led REDF’s programs, including strategy, grantmaking, business assistance, managing REDF’s first Federal Social Innovation Fund grant, creating tools, and measuring the impact of nonprofit-run social enterprises. As part of REDF’s executive team, she helped lead the organization through dramatic growth, including strategic planning, financial management, and hiring skilled talent.

Prior to REDF, Esther spent four years as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, with a special focus on energy, environmental, and social sector projects.