Biography

Carolyn Mae Kim is a seasoned public relations (PR) professional and an accredited PR expert with a specialization in leadership and brand credibility. Her early career included agency experience, working with global and national nonprofits. In the early days of social networking, she helped guide the agency with client services in digital marketing, including search engine optimization and organic social media initiatives. 

She later transitioned into higher education, earning her PhD in communication with a dissertation focused on credibility and public relations. In her role as a university professor, she helped create a traditional BA program in public relations, as well as a graduate and online undergraduate degree in PR. She has published more than 15 peer-reviewed journals and authored several books focused on strategic communication, digital strategy, and brand communication. During her time as a university faculty member, she was a national speaker, served on multiple boards for public relations industry and education efforts, and served as a private consultant for business leaders and startups. 

She joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in 2022, bringing her background in education and PR to serve STEM Education, External Affairs, and University Partnerships as a communication partner. Using data-driven recommendations and best practices, she stewards cross-team collaboration focused on communication management and PR to provide high-impact initiatives that drive awareness, values, and action among key stakeholders. From initial planning throughout the project management process and concluding with robust evaluation of outcomes and return on investment, her role allows her to provide leadership counsel, innovate strategies, and explore new opportunities to amplify PNNL’s impact in STEM Education, External Affairs, and University Partnerships and elevate the Laboratory’s visibility and reputation among regional and national stakeholders.