An Oberlin alumna, Kim earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Conservatory and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts Administration from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2002.  She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Lambda.
Upon graduation, Kim’s career was launched with a prestigious Orchestra Management Fellowship from the American Symphony Orchestra League. The one-year training program teaches leadership skills to select individuals who aspire to be chief executives of American orchestras. As a Fellow, Kim underwent an intensive orientation in the music industry and held several residencies at major music organizations throughout the United States, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Greenville (SC) Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Aspen Music Festival and School.

Following her fellowship, Kim moved to California, where she was appointed Manager of the Annual Fund for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. Raising nearly $5 million annually for the association, Kim successfully created and implemented all activities for the annual giving campaigns, which involved direct mail and tele-fundraising efforts, personal solicitation and cultivation, stewardship programs, and special events. She held the crucial management post from 2003 to 2007.

In 2006, after a competitive selective process, Kim was named a NetKAL (Network of Korean-American Leaders) Fellow at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles). The NetKAL Fellowship is a leadership and networking program for emerging Korean-American leaders to further their professional careers and widen their roles in the community.