Tammy Kim is a mother, nonprofit leader, educator, community advocate, and former corporate executive. She has lived, worked, and raised her son in Irvine for over two decades. In November 2020, she was elected to the Irvine City Council in a historic win. She received the highest vote count for any City Council candidate in the city's history, becoming the first Korean American female elected to the city council. 

Born in Korea, Tammy immigrated to America as an infant and pursued a successful career as a business executive. Raised in difficult economic circumstances, she has always been driven by a desire to help others improve their circumstances. After successfully climbing the corporate ladder, Tammy founded the Korean American Center in Irvine, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between intergenerational Korean Americans and the greater community through Korean language and culture education. The center partnered with KCS Health Center, becoming one of the largest social safety net providers in Orange County, serving the Asian American community with programs ranging from eliminating health disparities, US citizenship and naturalization legal clinics, civic engagement, voter registration, healthcare advocacy, youth leadership, and cultural-based programs. 

Her professional career includes significant roles in Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed technology startups, where she managed complex business and management issues on a global scale. As a small business owner, Tammy worked with startups and mid-size enterprises to help them improve business functions. 

Tammy is a well-respected civic and community leader, providing a voice for Irvine's diverse community. She has advocated for working families, promoted bilingual education, protected and expanded language access for voters, and worked with a wide range of community stakeholders to ensure Irvine receives its fair share of resources through full participation in the federal census. She has served as Chair of the Language Access Committee for the Orange County Registrar of Voters, the Orange County Complete Count Committee for the Federal Census, and the Steering Committee for the Irvine Global Village Festival. 

As a working mom, Tammy understands the day-to-day realities residents face. Since being elected to the City Council, she has actively tackled key issues such as housing affordability, environmental sustainability, public safety, and economic development. A staunch advocate for affordable housing, she has spearheaded new policies to make housing accessible to everyone in Irvine. Tammy has been instrumental in enhancing public safety and promoting economic growth, setting the stage for Irvine’s sustainable future. Her transformative vision for the Great Park will make it a center of recreation, enriching the quality of life for Irvine residents. 

Tammy is the founder of Irvine Tech Week, a week-long event series designed to showcase and promote the thriving technology ecosystem in Irvine. The primary goal of Irvine Tech Week is to provide early-stage entrepreneurs with access to resources and connections that can help them succeed and position Irvine as a premier location for startups and innovators. Tammy is committed to growing Irvine's economic strength by fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem. 

In addition to her council duties, Tammy represents Irvine on various influential regional boards and committees, including the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG), Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), Orange County Public Libraries, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control, League of California Cities Orange County Division Board of Directors as the Large City Representative, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Irvine Child Care Committee, and Irvine Unified School District/Tustin Unified School District Liaison. Tammy's extensive involvement in these organizations ensures that Irvine has a strong and influential voice in shaping policies and decisions that impact the entire region. Her presence on these boards provides invaluable insights into various issues affecting Orange County, enabling her to advocate effectively for the needs and priorities of Irvine's residents. 

To keep up with Tammy’s policy priorities for the city, you can visit her official city page at councilmembertammykim.org.